Tottenham Hotspur manager Igor Tudor reacts on the touchline. (John Walton/PA Wire)
The Croat interim head coach, who agreed a deal on February 13 to lead the team until the end of the season, has failed to raise levels among his injury-hit squad, with Thursday’s 3-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace alarming for the club’s hierarchy.
As well as from a shell-shocked home crowd, many of whom left at half-time, there was also pressure on the club’s directors from members of the exclusive Tunnel Club. Some of those fans in the private members’ section, with season tickets costing around £20,000 per seat, directed their displeasure up one tier at the likes of chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.
Those who saw it unfold said that the criticism was not sweary and was all the more stinging for that reason. Tunnel Club members, usually a fairly reserved part of the match-going fanbase, who pay a premium for access to the club’s best hospitality, asked specific questions about the direction of Spurs under the Lewis family ownership.
While plans for a summer appointment have been set in motion, and it is understood that talks have been held about appointing Roberto De Zerbi if they do stay up, the focus is now on Premier League survival. Spurs have lost five in a row and are without a win in their last 11 league games.
As things stand, the club say Tudor, the former Juventus manager, will take the team for the Champions League round-of-16 first leg against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Spurs play Liverpool a week on Sunday at Anfield and then have a critical home game against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest the following Sunday, March 22.
After that they have three weeks until their next Premier League game away at Sunderland on April 12, which looks like a natural break for a new manager to be installed. There could also be a Champions League quarter-final first leg to play in that period. Spurs may feel that they cannot wait until after the Forest game if they are to make a change.
Tottenham Hotspur's Archie Gray looks dejected after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
The major question facing Spurs would be: who? There are few takers for the stigma of potentially being the man who takes Spurs down from the top flight for the first time in 49 years. All coaches would want the security of a long-term deal.
Former managers, including Harry Redknapp, Glenn Hoddle and Tim Sherwood, have been mentioned by supporters and pundits, but it remains to be seen whether any would be viable given the length of time they have spent out of the game.
The question of whether Tudor stays will sit with Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange − who would make a recommendation to the Lewis family representative Nick Beucher in Florida.
He is married to the granddaughter of patriarch Joe Lewis, and is the chief executive of the Tavistock Group − the Lewis family investment vehicle. Spurs are controlled outside of Tavistock by the Lewis family trust, and Beucher, married to Joanna Silverton, daughter of Vivienne Lewis, oversees the club.
Tudor brusquely batted away questions about his future after the 3-1 defeat by Palace, in which captain Micky van de Ven was dismissed.
Asked whether the hierarchy would keep faith in him, Tudor said: “I don’t think in that direction. I have my job to do and that’s all.”
Pushed on whether he would be in charge for the next game, Tudor said, “No comment on that question.”
If Tottenham do survive, then De Zerbi, who left Marseille by mutual consent in February, could be a long-term option.
He has been of interest to Manchester United and is understood to be keen on the Old Trafford job, and already figures prominently on their shortlist as they also decide on who will be their next permanent head coach.
De Zerbi took over at Marseille in the summer of 2024 after leaving Brighton and Hove Albion, where he spent just under two years in charge. He led Marseille to second in Ligue 1 last season, but has also made no secret of the fact that he would like to manage again in the Premier League at a leading club.
De Zerbi’s stock remains high with senior figures at United − and Spurs − admiring his front-foot style of attacking football and how he wants his teams to dominate the ball. He also has admirers at Manchester City, where he has built a friendship with Pep Guardiola.
De Zerbi has been of interest to Spurs in the past, while there have also been discussions around bringing back Mauricio Pochettino, who would only be available after the United States’ involvement at the World Cup comes to an end, or former Spurs striker Robbie Keane, who is the head coach of Hungarian club Ferencvaros. The Irishman wants to eventually manage in the Premier League.
Another option has been Edin Terzic, who led Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final, but he may move elsewhere this summer and has received several approaches.
A Tottenham Hotspur spokesperson said: “We won’t be commenting or guiding on the inevitable speculation around names for the head coach position next season. We are focused on finishing this season positively.”