Tottenham Hotspur’s future as a Premier League club will all be defined in the next few months, with Igor Tudor the man to try and drag them clear of the relegation zone.
The Lilywhites currently sit just two places clear of the relegation zone, with the failures of last season in England’s top-flight once again starting to rear their head.
With just four points separating the club and the drop zone, the Croatian desperately needs to start collecting positive results to fend off any looming danger.
Regardless of whether the 47-year-old is able to transform the club’s fortunes before the end of the season, he’s likely to depart when his current deal expires in June.
As a result, the hierarchy will once again be tasked with identifying the right man to take the club forward, with one name continuing to be linked with the job in North London.
The latest on Spurs’ hunt to land Pochettino this summer
After Thomas Frank’s dismissal from the role earlier this month, rumours were swirling over a potential return to Spurs for former manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine previously spent five and a half years in the role in North London, but he was sacked back in 2019 - a decision that has been an extremely unpopular one with the fans.
However, despite being sacked nearly seven years ago, he’s always stated his admiration for the club and his desire to return to the role at some point in the future.
It has been reported that any deal for the former manager would likely be in the summer, with Pochettino set to lead the USA national team at the 2026 World Cup this summer.
Other reports have stated that the club intend to make him a key target in the summer, but it remains to be seen if an agreement can be made with the Americans.
The manager Spurs should hire instead of Pochettino
Any move to bring Pochettino back to Spurs would no doubt be a popular one with the fans, especially given the heights he took the club to last time he was at the helm.
The Argentine led the Lilywhites to the Champions League final back in the 2018/19 campaign, before falling at the final hurdle to fellow English side, Liverpool.
He made the side into consistent top-four challengers in the Premier League, with the club only achieving such a feat once since his departure seven years ago.
However, doubts will likely be raised over a return to the club, with Pochettino taking a huge gamble in tarnishing his legacy with a return to the North London outfit.
As a result, the hierarchy should look at alternative managerial options, with Cesc Fàbregas another boss who’s currently in their sights ahead of the summer.
The Spaniard, who played 303 times for Arsenal and is currently managing Como in Serie A, could well be an unpopular choice given his Arsenal ties, but he’s a boss that would take the club to the next level.
He’s won 30 of his 70 games in charge of the Italian outfit to date, subsequently achieving a 43% win percentage during his near two year spell at the helm.
The 39-year-old has even starred against current boss Tudor during his short managerial career, as seen by his 100% win rate when coming up against the Croatian, albeit from just one meeting.
It’s unclear whether Fabregas himself would want such a job in North London, but it’s clear that he would be a better option than Pochettino for the Lilywhites.
The Spaniard, who’s been dubbed “football’s next elite manager” by one Premier League analyst, has worked wonders in Como, especially when having limited funds compared to Spurs.
Whilst he has no trophies to show for his efforts to date, the youngster is still in the early days of his managerial career, which will see him only progress in the years ahead.
It could allow the Lilywhites to build for a long-term project under the former Arsenal star, something which is desperately needed if the club are to progress in the Premier League.
Fabregas has also become known to help young talents thrive in Serie A, a trait that could be vital for the Lilywhites - especially given the youthful squad currently on the books.
A move for the 39-year-old could certainly be an interesting one, with the manager seen as a somewhat wildcard option given the other names in the mix.
Pochettino would certainly be the choice of the fanbase given his previous tenure, but his legacy must remain intact, with Fabregas deserving of the chance to manage in the Premier League.