Roberto De Zerbi could be linked with Tottenham manager job (Image: Getty)
Tottenham find themselves in yet another disappointing situation as they prepare to appoint their fourth head coach in just nine months. On Sunday afternoon, they confirmed that Igor Tudor had left the club by mutual consent, just 44 days after taking over from Thomas Frank to keep Spurs out of relegation troubles.
“We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed that head coach Igor Tudor will leave the club with immediate effect. Tomislav Rozic and Riccardo Ragnacci have also left their respective roles as goalkeeping coach and physical coach,” their statement said. “We would like to thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their tireless efforts over the past six weeks. We also acknowledge the recent bereavement that Igor has suffered and send our support to him and his family at this difficult time. Updates on the new head coach will be provided in due course.”
Tudor was in charge for just 44 days and failed to win a Premier League game during his tenure.
His only points came in a draw against Liverpool and his only win came in the Champions League last 16 second leg against Atlético Madrid, but it proved not to be enough for Spurs to progress to the quarter-finals.
Despite last week’s disruption, Tudor returned to England after a short break and is believed to have been in charge of training on Saturday and Sunday with several first-team available players absent on international duty. Coach Bruno Salter will oversee the sessions over the next few days.
According to football.london, CEO Vinay Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange hope to have a new head coach in place before the remaining players return from international duty.
This will give the incoming manager 10 days to work with the team ahead of the Premier League fixture at Sunderland.
What Tottenham want is to appoint a permanent head coach to guide Tottenham in the right direction.
Spurs are thought to have been exploring the possibility of encouraging currently employed managers to relinquish the security of their existing roles in preparation for this difficult situation.
Mauricio Pochettino will undoubtedly be a popular choice among supporters and relieve pressure on the club’s pecking order.
Although his commitments with the United States national team over the next few weeks are much easier compared to the grueling schedule a Premier League manager would face, it would be quite difficult to work out such an unconventional arrangement around the World Cup.
The option of signing someone from existing employment remains with Roberto De Zerbi as the most likely permanent transfer candidate at the moment. It comes after Roberto de Zerbi left Marseille by mutual agreement following the 5-0 defeat at PSG last month.
It may be difficult to convince the former Marseille manager to take over (Image: Getty)
The Italian was tipped as a potential candidate for the permanent position in the summer, alongside the likes of Pochettino, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Fulham’s Marco Silva.
However, Spurs’ situation has become so dire that their ambitions to assess the wider managerial market at the end of the season could come to naught if the club falls into the Championship.
This difficulty led to De Zerbi taking on a role that two other managers had already struggled with this campaign.
They also risk adding relegation to their record if there is not enough time left to instill a very distinctive, high-intensity style into this demoralized side.
Tottenham are reportedly willing to offer the 46-year-old a hefty salary and survival bonus to keep Spurs in the Premier League, but that pales in comparison to the huge financial impact of relegation.
Several supporter groups, including Women of the Lane, Proud Lilywhites and Spurs Reach, have spoken out against the club’s signing of De Zerbi due to their support for Marseille striker Mason Greenwood.
If De Zerbi decides there is not enough time left to rebuild Spurs’ squad, or simply that more attractive opportunities may present themselves in the summer, the north London club will be forced to consider an interim appointment.
Tottenham have been linked with familiar faces within the club, including two-time interim head coach Ryan Mason, former Spurs managers Harry Redknapp and Glenn Hoddle, former player and assistant coach Chris Hughton and former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane, who is said to be only interested in a permanent role.
Those from outside the club include former Burnley and Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche, as well as Edin Terzic and Marco Rose, who were in contention before Tudor took over.
Meanwhile, former Monaco coach Adolf “Adi” Hütter withdrew his candidacy on Sunday.
In a statement carried by Sky Sports News in his native Austria, the player said: “Over the past few days and weeks, my connections with various clubs have increased.
“However, as I already said immediately after my time at Monaco, I do not want to work again as head coach until the start of the new season at the earliest. My position on this matter has not changed since then.”
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