Tottenham Hotspur have identified Roberto De Zerbi as their leading candidate for the permanent head coach role following the departure of interim boss Igor Tudor. This decision comes after a turbulent spell in north London, with Spurs sitting just one point above the Premier League relegation zone and only seven matches left to play.
The club confirmed Tudor’s exit by mutual agreement after just 44 days and seven games in charge. His brief tenure produced only one win, which came in the second leg of a Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid, though Tottenham lost on aggregate. In league action, Tudor managed one draw and suffered five defeats, culminating in a 3-0 home loss to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest last weekend. That result left Spurs 17th in the table, facing their most serious threat of relegation since joining the Premier League.
Chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange are now responsible for appointing a manager who can guide the club to safety. Multiple sources indicate that Tottenham have made De Zerbi, formerly of Brighton & Hove Albion, their preferred choice for a long-term appointment. Early signs suggest De Zerbi is open to talks with Spurs, but he would prefer to wait until the end of the season before making any commitment. His decision is said to depend on whether Tottenham secure their Premier League status, as relegation would be a major deterrent.
The timing of this managerial search is particularly sensitive for Tottenham. The club delayed parting ways with Tudor out of respect for his personal circumstances, as he was mourning the death of his father last week. Tudor attended his father’s funeral on Wednesday and returned to work with players not away on international duty before the club made his departure public.
With time running out and Premier League safety still uncertain, Tottenham’s leadership is considering whether to push for an immediate appointment or continue with another interim solution until the summer. The option of bringing in a caretaker manager remains on the table, especially if negotiations with De Zerbi or other long-term targets prove too complicated at this stage.
Sean Dyche is also reportedly under consideration. Most recently sacked by Nottingham Forest in February, Dyche is known for his ability to help clubs avoid relegation. However, he is understood to be seeking at least an 18-month contract if approached, a demand that may not fit with Spurs’ current plans.
Other potential interim options include former managers and club legends such as Ryan Mason, Harry Redknapp, Tim Sherwood, Glenn Hoddle, and Chris Hughton. All are being considered as possible short-term solutions if a permanent appointment cannot be secured before the end of the season. Additionally, Mauricio Pochettino remains a popular figure among supporters due to his previous success at Tottenham, but his current role as head coach of the United States national team ahead of this summer’s world cup makes an immediate return highly unlikely.
Andoni Iraola has also been linked with the job, but he is committed to Bournemouth for the remainder of the campaign. Internally, the idea of pairing an active European coach with a Spurs fan-favourite as assistant is also being discussed.
Tudor’s brief spell saw Spurs exit both domestic and European competitions amid mounting concerns about squad injuries and a lack of confidence within the team. His assistant, Ivan Javorcic, was unable to join him on the touchline due to visa delays, further highlighting the instability behind the scenes during this period.
With just seven Premier League fixtures left to secure their top-flight status, Tottenham face a critical run-in. The pressure is mounting on Venkatesham and Lange to make an appointment that will deliver both immediate stability and a long-term vision. The impact of managerial changes on performance has even led some observers to consider how trends like away matches affect goal-scoring strategies; those interested can explore how betting sites factor travel into Premier League goal predictions.
For now, Tottenham’s search for their third head coach of a chaotic season continues, with De Zerbi remaining the first choice, his willingness closely tied to whether Spurs can maintain their Premier League status.
