For the past few seasons, many have joked that Tottenham Hotspur might suffer relegation from the Premier League, and that could become a reality in the coming months.
The Lilywhites have lost five league games in a row and have not won a game in England’s top flight since a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace on December 28.
Igor Tudor’s temporary appointment has apparently not gone as well as many expected in north London, with the team now within one point of the relegation zone.
The Croatian manager has lost all three games he has been in charge since taking over, and there is no doubt that there are even more immediate fears of a drop to the second tier.
As a result, the organization is constantly monitoring other targets and has a number of managers listed to replace the 47-year-old should it decide to fire him.
Latest news on Spurs aiming to replace Igor Tudor
Rumors about the possibility of Mauricio Pochettino being reappointed at Spurs in the short or long term have accelerated in recent weeks.
The Argentine, who left the club in 2019, has also spoken of his desire to return to the Lilywhites, but it could be difficult to complete a deal in the 2025/26 season.
He is currently coaching the U.S. men’s national team in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, and Pochettino will not receive any offers until such a tournament is over.
However, Pochettino is not the only manager being looked at to replace Tudor by the end of the season, with Roberto De Zerbi currently being considered for the position.
According to TEAMtalk, the Lilywhites see the Italian as a great option to make the desired impact in north London by the end of the campaign.
The report also states that the 46-year-old has a passionate following behind the scenes, but it remains to be seen whether there will be an imminent managerial change.
However, any move for the former Marseille manager could be difficult to complete, with De Zerbi expected to wait until the summer to take up his next managerial job.
Why De Zerbi is a Tudor & Pock upgrade for Spurs
After leading Spurs to the Champions League final in 2019, there is no doubt that many supporters will back Pochettino’s return in the near future.
There is no doubt that the Argentine is one of the greatest managers in the club’s recent history, but the hierarchy should desperately avoid any emotional backlash.
It is known in the world of football to never return after leaving a club, and the 54-year-old’s reputation could be tarnished if he were to return to his old post.
But there’s no denying that Tudor is rapidly coming under pressure, especially after losing three games in a row since replacing Thomas Frank.
De Zerbi is reluctant to take charge with nine games left, but the board will have to desperately persuade the Italian to change his mind if they are to hand the current manager his resignation.
The former Marseille manager has proven his quality in Ligue 1 over the past few seasons, before leading them to the runners-up spot in the 2024/25 season.
He has also enjoyed success in the Premier League throughout his managerial career, as seen during his two years in charge of Brighton from 2022 to 2024.
De Zerbi managed to achieve a winning percentage of 43% during his time in England’s top flight, and also scored an impressive 1.5 goals per game at the Amex Stadium.
Roberto De Zerbi – PL Career | |
|---|---|
statistics | tally |
managed games | 70 |
victory | 26 |
draw | 19 |
loss | twenty five |
Number of points scored | 116 |
Number of goals against | 110 |
Points per game | 1.46 |
Both of the aforementioned numbers are higher than those recently achieved by Tudor and Pochettino, demonstrating his ability to make an impression in such a department.
His recent ability to manage Marseille has shown him to be able to make an immediate impact and change the fortunes of a team, an ability that the Lilywhites desperately need right now.
De Zerbi, described by Arne Slott as “one of the best managers in the world”, also managed to secure Brighton’s first trip to Europe with limited funds.
The 46-year-old is reluctant to take over the reins at the moment, but if Tudor is sacked in the coming days, the Spurs bosses will do everything in their power to secure his job.
His ability to transform a number of clubs has made the Italian a sought-after player and the Lilywhites could miss out on signing him if they waste any more time.
Spurs need to act quickly to move Tudor if they are to secure their place in the top flight, and De Zerbi needs to be at the top of their list of candidates.
Tudor upgrade: Spurs discuss hiring Mikel Arteta
Igor Tudor may not last long in the Spurs dugout.
