Tottenham Hotspur's mentality might get them relegated. It's a tough pill to swallow, but there are deep-rooted issues concerning the squad's confidence and their ability to overcome adversity on the pitch.
It was a tough call to part ways with interim manager Igor Tudor, but most likely the right one, with the Croatian only picking up a point against Liverpool at Anfield across his 44-day tenure.
That aside, the 47-year-old was defeated four times in the Premier League, and last week's north London thrashing by relegation rivals Nottingham Forest proved the critical moment.
Tottenham are only one point above the relegation zone, and Forest and West Ham United have improved of late. ENIC Group need to pick their next head coach wisely.
Who Spurs are considering to replace Tudor
It might have a pragmatic feel to it, but there's a lot of sense regarding a short-term appointment for Sean Dyche, who managed Nottingham Forest before being sacked earlier in 2026.
However, should Tottenham want to flip the coin and choose a different kind of track, they might hit the jackpot with one of football's sharper tactical brains.
According to Football Insider, Tottenham are looking to appoint Roberto De Zerbi as soon as possible, even though the Italian coach is holding out for the end of the season before choosing his next club.
Manchester United are also interested, but Michael Carrick's good work there means De Zerbi might not get the nod.
Those claims have been corroborated by many, including talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook who has revealed that "efforts have been made this week" to try and get De Zerbi in.
Should ENIC present him with a compelling offer, he could be convinced to take charge now, proving himself a hero as he guides Tottenham away from danger.
Why De Zerbi could be the right pick for Spurs
It's difficult to determine who exactly is the frontrunner for the vacant Tottenahm job at the moment. Certainly, Dyche is available and would leap at the chance to manage the Londoners. His experience with embattled sides fighting relegation adds substance to ENIC's interest.
But Tottenham's first-teamers have lost every shred of confidence, and De Zerbi is not only a "genius" of an analytical brain, as hailed by journalist Dean Jones, but a manager who embraces his players as his family, creating strong bonds.
Moreover, the Italian employs a 4-2-3-1 formation, suggesting that he could provide a semblance of tactical normality at Tottenham over the next several weeks. Dyche, of course, is hardly an avant-garde sort of coach, but his structured, organised approach would not give rise to the confidence of the players.
They need someone like De Zerbi, larger than life and with a possession-based style that is far more akin to the high-octane football of Ange Postecoglou than Thomas Frank's laboured brand.
Whether Tottenham decide to take the somewhat riskier road and appoint De Zerbi remains to be seen, but he'd inspire confidence and he might just be the right man to stage a late-season turnaround. There is a reason he has been hailed as "one of the best managers in the world" by Arne Slot.
His time at Brighton & Hove Albion was a success, helping steer the Seagulls away from their status as habitual relegation fodder and instead challenging for places higher up the table.
Praised by Pep Guardiola for his "unique" style, De Zerbi could be the perfect pick at Tottenham. He's not without his faults, for sure, but this is a strong character who would brook no excuses from these struggling players.
Leadership. Experience. Style. De Zerbi's got the lot, and Dyche, from a Tottenham perspective, pales in comparison.