Tottenham’s search for stability did not start with Igor Tudor. Before moving for the Croatian, Spurs sounded out Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira as part of their contingency planning, according to ESPN Brazil.
The Portuguese manager, who recently extended his Palmeiras contract until the end of 2027, chose not to open discussions with the Premier League side.
Tottenham have since appointed Tudor on an interim basis until the end of the current season, with the club planning to target a more high-profile name in the future.
Approach came before Frank dismissal
ESPN reports that Tottenham contacted Ferreira’s camp two weeks ago to establish whether he would be willing to assume the role in north London. The approach came before the recent dismissal of Thomas Frank, with the club already exploring options amid their struggles in 16th place on 29 points.
Ferreira earns around €550,000 per month (around £460,000) at Palmeiras, a salary level that makes it difficult even for established European clubs to match. However, ESPN notes that financial considerations alone would not sway the 46-year-old, who prioritises organisation, planning and structure when evaluating potential moves.
Not the first Premier League interest
The report adds that Ferreira would not be tempted simply by a more lucrative offer or the prestige of managing in one of Europe’s top six leagues.
His commitment to Palmeiras has seen him reject previous interest from Premier League clubs including Nottingham Forest, Wolverhampton and even Chelsea in recent months.
ESPN explains that Tottenham also assessed other candidates during the process, including Robbie Keane (currently at Ferencváros), Roberto De Zerbi (recently departed Marseille) and Marco Rose (formerly of RB Leipzig), before settling on Tudor as their short-term solution.
With Ferreira remaining committed to Palmeiras and Tottenham now working with Tudor until May, any potential future contact between the parties would likely depend on the Portuguese manager’s long-term plans and whether Spurs undergo another managerial change in the summer.