Tottenham Hotspur’s future in the Premier League could all depend on the decision the hierarchy makes before the end of the ongoing international break.
Igor Tudor, the club’s temporary manager, is under increasing pressure at present after struggling to produce the goods after his appointment following Thomas Frank’s departure.
The Croatian has now failed to win any of his first five league games since taking the reins, including a humbling 3-0 defeat to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest.
As a result, the manager’s future has been hugely up in the air over recent days, with many high-profile journalists expecting the 47-year-old to depart in the coming days.
Even though Tudor remains in charge of the Lilywhites at present, numerous managers have been identified as possible replacements for the under-pressure boss.
Spurs’ potential move to appoint Sean Dyche
Given the current scenario at Spurs, if the club are to part ways with Tudor, they will need a manager to make an immediate impact to drag the club clear of the relegation zone.
In recent days, former Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche has been mentioned as one option the hierarchy are considering on a deal until the end of the season.
The 54-year-old was sacked by the Reds back in February after a run of three games without a win - with the players even said to be discontent with his coaching methods.
However, it’s been reported that the Englishman would be extremely keen on taking the reins in North London if offered the opportunity to lead the Lilywhites forward.
Despite the interest, Dyche is said to be wanting a longer contract than just seven games, which could lead to a stumbling block over any possible agreement.
Given his defensive-minded approach to games, there’s no doubt he won’t be the most popular appointment - but it remains to be seen what direction the board go in.
The manager who could be perfect for Simons at Spurs
Spurs’ current situation in the Premier League is becoming ever-more alarming week after week, with the Lilywhites edging ever closer to the relegation zone.
Dropping into the second tier would be a catastrophe for a club of Spurs’ stature, not to mention the financial implications that could rear their head.
As a result, the risk of appointing a new manager at this stage of the season is huge, with the board desperately needing to make the correct decision with any call.
As previously mentioned, various managers have been in their sights, with talks even being held with multiple options - including former Monaco boss Adi Hutter.
The 56-year-old has been without a job since leaving the French side back in October, subsequently leading the side to back-to-back top three finishes.
The Austrian has become known for his 4-2-3-1 system in recent years, evidently a formation that has brought about great success - as seen by the recent league finishes.
His time at Monaco allowed attacking midfielder Magnhes Akliouche to thrive, with the Frenchman registering 31 combined goals and assists under his guidance.
The 24-year-old was a target for the Lilywhites in the summer before completing a move for Xavi Simons - with the Dutchman struggling to meet expectations this term.
Despite costing a fee in the region of £52m during the summer, he’s only registered nine combined goals and assists, with Hutter arguably the man to unlock his potential.
Should he be able to do so upon any potential appointment, it could well prove to be enough to help keep Spurs in the Premier League beyond the end of May.
Whilst Dyche appears to be the club’s main target, the former Monaco boss should be the priority at present, with his ability to get the best out of his attacking players a huge positive.
However, he’s also achieved a better win rate than the Englishman during his recent managerial spell - subsequently achieving a 12.5% greater win percentage despite managing for a greater period.
Hutter has also achieved a better point per game record in the last few years, which could be vital for the Lilywhites in their hunt to stay in England’s top-flight.
Tudor’s future in North London still remains a huge talking point at present, but his potential successor is also gaining just as much of discussion ahead of the return to club action.
Dyche and Hutter appear to be two managers firmly in with a chance of replacing the Croatian, with the hierarchy desperately needing to focus on a move for the latter.