Tottenham are contemplating turning to a club legend to save them from relegation even though he hasn’t coached for two decades.
The crisis-ridden north London club have begun their search for a fourth coach in less than a year following the decision on Sunday to part company withIgor Tudor.
Spurs made the surprise decision to turn to the Croatian after Thomas Frank was dismissed on February 11.
Tudor had never managed in the Premier League, but had experience of sparking an upturn in form after mid-season arrivals and yet suffered five defeats from seven games, including four in a row at the start of his reign.
A catastrophic 3-0 home defeat against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest prior to the international left Spurs just one point above the drop zone which effectively rendered Tudor’s position untenable.
Indeed, should West Ham beat Wolves at home on Friday evening, Spurs will face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light 24 hours later firmly in the bottom three and staring an unthinkable relegation full in the face.
The likes of Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange now face arguably the biggest decision in Tottenham’s modern history and one that will likely define whether or not they face the ultimate ignominy of dropping into the Championship.
According to the Daily Mail, Spurs are contemplating a variety of different options and are giving thought to turning to Glenn Hoddle, even though he hasn’t held a senior management position since he was the Molineux helm back in 2006, but did have a brief stint as part of Harry Redknapp’s coaching team at QPR.
Speaking earlier this month, arguably Tottenham’s greatest ever player made clear he was willing to help out as doubts over Tudor’s credentials quickly began to emerge.
Asked if he would be willing to step up if Tudor was axed, Hoddle told Could It Be Magic, the FA Cup podcast sponsored by Carling: ‘I think it would actually. Particularly with Tottenham, as that’s my club.
‘I’ve supported them since I was eight years of age. So they were a massive part of my life.’
Hoddle spent two-and-a-half years in charge of Spurs between 2001 and 2003.
He added: ‘I managed them probably at the wrong time, I’ve got to say. Let’s put it that way. Politically and financially, it wasn’t money there. Certainly, it wasn’t what they told me I was going into didn’t succumb.
‘But I think something like that, I would have done.’
Assistant Bruno Saltor will lead training for the players not away on international duty at the moment, with the club aiming to appoint a new head coach in the coming days, in time for the full squad being back together and a crucial 10-day preparation period ahead of the April 12 fixture at Sunderland.
Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and ex-Burnley and Everton manager Sean Dyche are among the bookmakers’ favourites to take over, or they could turn to Ryan Mason, boyhood Spurs fan and player who has twice been caretaker before.
Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust responded to the news of Tudor’s departure by urging the club to now make a “wise choice” regarding his replacement.
Its post on X read: ‘With thanks to Igor and his team for their efforts, and wishing him and his family time to come to terms with their loss.
‘In a season of bad calls, let’s hope we now see a wise choice for the remainder of the campaign.
‘Someone who understands the club and is up to the task in front of them: retaining our Premier League status. Someone we can all be proud of and who can bring some much needed success and enjoyment to our long suffering fanbase.’
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