Tottenham Hotspur are having to wait to snap up Roberto De Zerbi, while Chris Hughton’s odds of taking over have shortened.
Igor Tudor left his role as Tottenham’s interim head coach on Sunday after just 44 days in the job.
The Croatian was appointed following Thomas Frank’s sacking in February but he was at the helm for a mere seven matches.
This came a week after a damaging 3-0 loss to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest on 22 March, a result that left Tottenham 17th in the Premier League.
Former Tottenham player Hughton has been among the reported candidates to take over at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but De Zerbi’s appointment could yet come to fruition.
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Chris Hughton considered the bookies’ favourite for Tottenham job
While Tottenham tries to appoint a new manager before the Premier League resumes in the next fortnight, Tudor’s assistant, Bruno Saltor, is overseeing training for those at the club.
Tudor picked up just one point from five league games in charge, as Tottenham sit just one point above the relegation zone.
Talk has since turned to who will replace Tudor, with Tottenham greats such as Harry Redknapp, Tim Sherwood, Glenn Hoddle, and more linked with the job.
The likes of Sean Dyche, Ryan Mason and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, among others, are also mooted candidates but they are all behind a certain man in the running, according to the bookies.
And one leading bookmaker shortened the odds of Hughton, who managed the Seagulls between 2014-19, on Tuesday morning as he emerged as the favourite – ahead of even De Zerbi.
In fact, former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic was second on the list, whereas former Marseille head coach De Zerbi was third.
Would it be wise for Tottenham to hire De Zerbi?
De Zerbi worked wonders at Brighton between 2022-24 but the Italian is often described as a combustible manager.
While he insisted relations with owner Tony Bloom were cordial, the two parted ways due to a difference of opinion on transfer policies.
Roy Keane often says it is even more important to manage upwards than downwards when in management and it remains to be seen if De Zerbi would work well with Tottenham’s owners.
Mauricio Pochettino was a top Tottenham candidate but Spurs need to stay in the Premier League this season, and cannot afford to wait until after the World Cup when his United States post ends.
De Zerbi was winless in his first five games in charge at Brighton before leading them to a historic first campaign in Europe.
But if he repeats that at Tottenham, they are most likely to get relegated. The Italian wanted to take over in the summer but it seems Spurs are inching closer to signing him before then.
The stakes could not be higher as the Premier League run-in takes shape.