Mauricio Pochettino is the standout candidate to become Tottenham's next permanent manager.
There, I said it.
GIVEMESPORT understands that Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi are the two preferred options when it comes to appointing a new head coach in the summer.
And of those two, Pochettino is the clear choice.
After back-to-back seasons struggling at the bottom of the Premier League table - with no guarantees as yet as to which division Spurs will be playing in next season - morale in and around the club is at its lowest.
Tottenham Have Major Problems On And Off The Pitch
The Tottenham supporters turned up in their droves to welcome the team to the stadium and produced an electric atmosphere inside the ground for last weekend's crunch six-pointer with Nottingham Forest, only to see the players produce a dismal performance in a 3-0 defeat.
That show of support was not in-keeping with the general apathy towards the club in recent weeks and months, with supporters desperate for change, not just in the playing squad, but at the very top of the club, too.
The disconnect between the club and their fans is greater than it has been for many years and Pochettino is the man to bring everyone back together.
The Argentinian was a much-loved character in north London during his five-year spell from 2014 to 2019, turning Spurs into Premier League title challengers and even guiding the club to the final of the UEFA Champions League.
He may not be able to get everyone onside and singing from the same hymn sheet immediately, but his appointment would at least get a fanbase that has fallen out of love with their club back together and invested in the team once more. He is an easy figure for people to get behind, given his relationship with and clear love for the club. The fans sing his name at most matches, showing he is cherished still.
Could Spurs Make A Permanent Appointment Before The Season Ends?
Tottenham need to remain a Premier League club first and foremost and there are internal discussions about relieving Igor Tudor of his duties and bringing in a third different head coach this season.
Another interim appointment would be the obvious choice, but there has been talk around making a permanent appointment now and handing the new boss a huge bonus for keeping the club in the Premier League.
Roberto De Zerbi has been touted as an option, although the Italian is keen to wait until the summer to assess all of his options. Robbie Keane has also been named, and while he could come in as an interim appointment, the Irishman is keen on a permanent role if he was to leave Ferencvaros. Sean Dyche has also emerged as a potential candidate, with Spurs considering an SOS call to the former Burnley, Everton and Nottingham Forest boss.
The problem with Pochettino has always been that he is contracted to the US Men's National Team until the end of the World Cup and therefore not available to join Spurs - should they want him - until some time in July. Pochettino has a huge job on his hands this summer, guiding the USA at their home tournament, although there have been suggestions that he could do what Michael O'Neill has done in being in charge of Northern Ireland and Blackburn Rovers and complete a job share and get Tottenham out of trouble in the meantime, before focusing all his energy on the USA.
The USA set out to appoint a "world-class" coach when making the decision to give the job to Pochettino and GIVEMESPORT understands the USA would be reluctant to allow him to take up any sort of job share with Spurs, particularly right now, in the midst of an international break when they play Belgium and Portugal.
Pochettino Is Not A Short-Term Fix For Tottenham
Tottenham need someone to focus all their energy on the Lilywhites and their bid to avoid relegation, something Pochettino could not do in a job share.
Then there's Pochettino's early record in jobs.
In his first year as US head coach he was criticised for the way the team were playing and the results they were getting. He had the same when he took over at Spurs in 2014, even going so far as to say he feared he would have to pack his bags and leave until a win over Aston Villa turned things around.
His start to life at Chelsea did not exactly go smoothly, although he did turn things around and manage to get the Blues into European competition by the end of the campaign, something that had looked highly unlikely for much of the season.
Pochettino is undoubtedly an excellent manager and is the right appointment for the long-term in N17, but Spurs need results now and Pochettino may not be able to deliver.