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17 hours ago
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Igor Tudor, known as a "recovery specialist" head coach, was meant to rescue Tottenham Hotspur from the depths of despair, but Spurs have only sunk deeper into a relegation nightmare.
After the departure of Thomas Frank in mid-February, Tudor was appointed through the end of the season with a simple remit: stop Spurs from sinking into a true relegation battle and maintain their strong European play.
Instead, they have been sucked towards the vortex at the bottom of the Premier League table under his watch, their 3-0 home loss to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest leaving them a point above the drop zone with seven games left. They were also dumped out of the Champions League 7-5 on aggregate by Atletico Madrid.
Tudor has also had to deal with the loss of his father, Mario. The club confirmed the news on March 23. At the end of the same week, his exit by mutual consent was finalised.
With Tudor reportedly now close to leaving Spurs via mutual consent, The Sporting News takes a look at who could take over with the aim of keeping them in the Premier League.
MORE: A full overview of Tottenham's lengthy injury list that has hampered their 2025/26 season
Next Tottenham manager: Who could take over for Igor Tudor?
Roberto De Zerbi
When Spurs went down the interim route with Tudor, De Zerbi was mentioned as a prime target for the long-term role in the summer.
However, with the growing likelihood that such a future will feature Championship football unless Spurs shoot their shot, there is apparently increased urgency around the currently unattached Italian.
According to The Athletic, former Brighton and Marseille boss De Zerbi has been offered a long-term contract and a "significant financial package which would make him one of the highest-paid managers in the Premier League".
De Zerbi was previously reported to have preferred the option of taking over Spurs in the summer if they remained int he top flight. Perhaps this can be a case of if you want a job doing, do it yourself.
MORE: A breakdown of Roberto De Zerbi's unique tactics as he eyes Spurs managerial role
Sean Dyche
The fact that the notable old-school, British managerial styling of Dyche are also in the mix alongside De Zerbi's extreme and pioneering high-pressing underlines that the decision-makers at Spurs are making it up as they go along at this point.
The former Burnley and Everton boss was sacked by Nottingham Forest in February and would no doubt relish putting a sting in the tail of this relegation race. Dyche would back himself to lend Spurs some overdue defensive organisation, but that along might not be enough at this point.
Ryan Mason
Having served twice previously as Tottenham interim manager, former Spurs midfielder RMason would be a popular and reasonable choice to herald the club through one of its most difficult periods in modern history.
He took over the club temporarily in both 2021 and 2023, having never managed at senior level before. He was appointed to lead West Brom over the summer but was sacked after seven months in charge with the club sitting 18th in the Championship table.
Given his recent failure with the Baggies, it might be hard to sell Mason as the man to save Tottenham, but he's a knowledgeable and recognisable option.
Robbie Keane
Spurs legend Robbie Keane has looked to build a managerial career over the last decade, starting as an assistant coach for the Republic of Ireland national team before stops at Middlesbrough and Leeds United.
Keane finally got his first senior managerial opportunity in 2023 with Maccabi Tel Aviv, but that was cut short for safety reasons after one season. After a year without a job, he signed on with Hungarian club Ferencvaros last summer and saw his contract renewed in December after a successful first season in charge.
It would be a lot to ask Keane to leave a current role to take over Spurs in crisis, but the pull of his former club in true crisis might be too difficult for him to resist.
Harry Redknapp
Now 79, Harry Redknapp has not managed a club since his short stint at Birmingham City in 2017 and has not been in a Premier League role since departing QPR over a decade ago.
So, would he really be the man to save Tottenham? Having managed the club for four years once upon a time, it's not out of the question they could turn to a familiar face.
He has remained around football as a regular pundit on multiple outlets, but would that leave him with the skills to make a shock return to management in a game that is almost unrecognisable from when he retired?
Chris Hughton
Another ex-Spurs man, Hughton's appointment would lack the romance of a Redknapp or a Glenn Hoddle, but would feel eminently more sensible.
This isn't necessarily an angle Tottenham fans will want to dwell upon, but Hughton has twice secured promotion from the Championship with Newcastle and Brighton. He has not worked as a head coach since being sacked by Ghana in January 2024.
Ben Davies
There could be a surprise in-house solution for Spurs. Why appoint a former player or manager when there's a current member of the playing staff on hand?
According to the Telegraph, experienced defender Davies is being considered an option to step up in a time of crisis. The 32-year-old Wales international is out of contract at the end of this season and is currently sidelined following ankle surgery.
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