Tottenham are set to appoint a new manager before their next Premier League clash with Sunderland, with two leading candidates for the post set to take over.
Igor Tudor has been released by Spurs (Image: Getty Images)
Tottenham face a race to become their third manager of the season within the next 72 hours. Igor Tudor resigned after a disastrous 44-day spell, leaving the club just one point above the relegation zone and in serious danger of breaking into the relegation zone.
Former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi is keen to take over. The Italian was reluctant to take over until the summer, but Spurs are now trying to persuade him to take over.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino will welcome his return, but the former Spurs boss cannot leave his job in the United States until after the World Cup. Tottenham are therefore considering the possibility of a new caretaker manager, although former Nottingham Forest and Everton manager Sean Dyche is unlikely to be a candidate, as he has made it clear he is not interested in short-term reinforcements.
They also have their eye on Austrian Adi Hütter, whose previous job was with Monaco, but they could also bring in a more familiar caretaker manager in the hope that his Premier League experience will keep them.
Harry Redknapp, 79, has vowed to return while Ryan Mason, Tim Sherwood and Glenn Hoddle are still available.
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read more: Igor Tudor leaves Tottenham after six weeks amid poor health and tragic death in his familyread more: Sean Dyche perfectly up to the job, deletes update on Tottenham ‘talks’
Spurs veteran defender Ben Davies is thought to be under consideration if he is looking to add to the squad in the short term. At the start of the season, it is thought they were considering turning to club legend Ledley King.
Tottenham want to appoint their new manager quickly to give him at least 10 days to prepare for their next Premier League match at Sunderland on April 12.
Another member of the existing coaching staff, Bruno Salter, will train with the remaining players who are not on international duty until the new manager takes over.
Tudor lost his last match against Nottingham Forest, but shortly afterwards the club announced his father’s death, and a week later it was confirmed that the former Juventus manager had left by mutual consent.
Roberto de Zerbi has been out of work since leaving Marseille (Image: Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates /Getty Images)
“We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed that head coach Igor Tudor will step down with immediate effect. Tomislav Rozic and Riccardo Ragnacci have also resigned from their respective positions as goalkeeping coach and physical coach,” the club said in a statement.
“We would like to thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their tireless work 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.”
Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust said in a statement: “We would like to thank Igor and his team for their efforts and hope that he and his family will take time to come to terms with their loss.”
“After a disappointing season, we hope we see wise choices for the remainder of the season. This is someone who understands the club and will deliver on the task at hand, which is to maintain our Premier League status. He is someone we can all be proud of and who will bring much-needed success and enjoyment to our long-suffering fan base.”
Initially the club wanted to wait until the summer as Pochettino would be such a popular option among fans, but they cannot risk the financial disaster of relegation.
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