Simon Jordan has shared what he's heard about what Tottenham were considering before ultimately deciding to appoint Igor Tudor as interim manager until the end of 2025/2026.
Igor Tudor's eventful first day at Spurs after appointment
Tudor wasted zero time stamping his authority at Tottenham today, axing assistant coach John Heitinga after just 32 days whilst bringing in his own trusted backroom team on his first day in charge.
The Croatian arrived at Hotspur Way following confirmation of his appointment on Friday, flying into London over the weekend before taking training for the first time as players returned from a five-day break.
His opening move proved brutal, dismissing Heitinga immediately despite the Dutchman signing a two-and-a-half-year contract barely a month ago.
Heitinga joined under Thomas Frank's doomed tenure on January 15, with Frank praising him as someone whose "ability, personality and character will add huge value both on and off the pitch."
Those words rang hollow as Tudor swept him aside alongside Frank's entire coaching setup.
Tudor brought three lieutenants from his previous Juventus spell. Ivan Javorcic arrives as assistant manager whilst Riccardo Raganacci takes charge of physical conditioning. The 47-year-old former Juventus defender made clear he wants his own people surrounding him during this firefighting mission.
Spurs sit 16th in the Premier League, just five points above the relegation zone following a disastrous run producing only two victories from 17 league matches.
Tudor's mandate couldn't be simpler, keep Tottenham up whilst restoring some dignity before summer's inevitable managerial carousel begins properly.
His opening statement promised organisation, intensity and a competitive edge. Tudor declared he understands the responsibility handed to him and wants to bring "greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every match."
Sunday's north London derby against Arsenal represents his baptism of fire, followed by awkward face-offs against Fulham and Crystal Palace.
Tudor needs immediate results with just 12 league matches remaining before his interim deal expires.
The former Lazio and Marseille boss built his reputation on short-term rescue jobs. He inherited struggling Juventus from Thiago Motta last March, guiding them to fourth and Champions League qualification whilst losing just one from 11 matches.
Similar heroics rescued Lazio and delivered Europa League football the year before, and he masterminded consecutive escapes from relegation at Udinese.
Unless something crazy happens, it is highly unlikely Tudor will stay beyond June, with both Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi viewed as Tottenham's two top candidates for the job this summer.
Tottenham nearly went for Ryan Mason and Ledley King
However, as per Jordan on talkSPORT (via The Metro), Tudor was very nearly snubbed in favour of Ryan Mason and Ledley King.
Indeed, as per rumours he heard at the time, Jordan says that Tottenham considered appointing Mason and King on an interim basis.
"Football guys understand the business of football, they understand what they need to do and if they’re good communicators in the short-term [it could work]," said Jordan.
"It’s the longer-term that you look at the Igor Tudors of the world and go, does it work? Clearly he doesn’t work. He’s had 13 jobs in 12 years.
"He’s not a long-term fix. Spurs have never said he’s a long-term fix. He’s a fix for now.
"I was hearing rumours it was going to be Ryan Mason and Ledley King stepping in, that was some of the thinking that was apparently going on. So maybe we be grateful for this one."
Mason returning for yet another interim stint would've been an uninspired and lazy choice, especially considering his failed move to West Brom.
King, meanwhile, is far better served as remaining a club ambassador, even despite his legendary one-club-man status.