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Ferdinand has expressed serious doubts about the internal structure at Tottenham and how it might impact a high-profile coach like De Zerbi, who has emerged as the top candidate to replace Tudor following his recent dismissal.

While acknowledging the world-class infrastructure at the club, the pundit suggested that the problems run much deeper than the pitch, pointing the finger directly at the board. The Europa League holders are currently hovering just one point above the relegation zone after a dismal 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Ferdinand stated: “Listen, at the moment I’d be more worried about the hierarchy, I’d be looking into that. Why has it gone so wrong for so many? Big names, new ones… why has this place not been able to kick on? I don’t understand it because they’ve got it all sitting there… are they [the hierarchy] going to be a hinderance to me [Tottenham’s next manager] behind the scenes? Are they going to ruin my reputation even more now? What’s the situation here?”

Tottenham have made De Zerbi their primary target to guide them away from danger, but Ferdinand fears the environment at the club could stifle his creativity. The manager is reportedly in advanced talks over a five-year deal, yet the former England international remains unconvinced that the move is wise given the current proximity to the drop zone and the rapid succession of failed managers, including Thomas Frank and Tudor.

Ferdinand added: “I’ve always championed De Zerbi, I think he’s a great manager. He’s a thinking manager, he’s always looking for new, innovative ways to build his teams. This might be the perfect time to get him but are Spurs in the right situation for him? I’ve got to be honest, I wouldn’t go to Spurs right now. I just think it is a club that’s in such a bad way and there have been far too many managers that have failed there.”

The club find themselves in a precarious position, sitting 17th in the Premier League table with just 30 points after 31 games. They hold a narrow one-point advantage over West Ham in the relegation zone, while Burnley and Wolves trail significantly on 20 and 17 points respectively.

To secure survival, Tottenham face a daunting run of seven fixtures. The crucial stretch begins away to Sunderland on April 12, followed by a monumental clash against bottom-of-the-table Wolves on April 25. The club host 15th-placed Leeds United on May 9, and must also navigate difficult encounters against Aston Villa and Chelsea before concluding their campaign against Everton on May 24.

De Zerbi is one of football's maverick managers. In an age where set pieces and fine margins are becoming the main way to win, he would still rather emerge as a victor by way of playing with a swagger.

That should, in theory, marry up to what Tottenham and their fans want. One of the main knocks on Thomas Frank, sacked in February well over a couple of months after he had turned supporters against himself, was the style of play he had implemented. Spurs became a chore to watch and weren't even getting much of an upgrade on results compared to the Dane's predecessor, Ange Postecoglou, who famously lived and died by his attacking principles.

"I want to enjoy. I'm living a dream and to live a dream you have to enjoy," De Zerbi told The Athletic of his footballing philosophy in 2023 while manager of Brighton. "First of all is to enjoy. Second is to keep the mentality when I was a player. I wanted to be a protagonist on the pitch. To be a protagonist you have to keep the ball, to have the ball.

"From it starts the ball possession. I was the No.10. You win the game through the No.10, No.11, No.9 and No.7, because they are the players with more quality. And to show their quality they have to be put in the right situations to play. And so starts the build-up, because we have to reach the No.7, No.9, No.10, No.11 with the ball in a good situation."

Most players who have worked under De Zerbi can vouch that he changed the way they perceived football. His recent track record also reads like the sort of coach Spurs would ordinarily be after, leading Brighton to their highest-ever Premier League finish of sixth in 2022-23, taking them to the Europa League last 16 a season later and then making waves in France with Marseille.

There remains a strong fascination around De Zerbi for how he likes to set his teams up. It's for these reasons that he remains so high on Manchester United's shortlist for the upcoming summer, should they decide not to hand Michael Carrick the head coach's job on a long-term basis.

Ultimately, no 'big club' has bit the bullet on hiring him to date. Where De Zerbi can make teams much better than the sum of their parts, they can equally collapse and crater without even being under pressure.

The Italian's volatility on a personal level, frequently and publicly threatening to walk away from whatever job he's in if he feels he's not the right person for the role, extends to how his teams play. They are almost as likely to blow teams away as they are to get walked all over themselves. It's a trade-off that has kept Europe's elite at arm's length, with many clubs admiring De Zerbi but not wanting to be the ones who gave him the keys to their next glamorous project.

Were Tottenham still a team who consistently finished in the Premier League's top six, then a roll of the dice with De Zerbi would at least make some sort of sense. Spurs made checks on the Italian at the end of the 2022-23 season, in which they finished in eighth, two spots below his Brighton side, but a deal to make him manager at that time was never close. There is still long-standing interest to fall back on.

But this Tottenham are in dire straits. The club has never experienced a crisis like the one it's in right now. Though Spurs are yet to drop below the dotted line and into the bottom three, relegation seems more inevitable with each passing week given the recklessness of their performances, results and off-field antics.

That Spurs have gone 13 matches without a Premier League victory is an almost sure-fire sign they are on their way down. Only three teams have made a worse start to a calendar year in the competition's history, and all three were relegated come the end of the season.

De Zerbi, more fiery than even the most inflammatory managers in recent Spurs memory, would also be inheriting a team supremely unsuited to his idyllic, evangelical play-style. There would be little time for him to have a bedding-in period - he failed to win any of his first five Premier League matches at Brighton - and the squad is drastically unsuited to his needs. Tottenham have assembled a team of duellers, runners and second-ball winners but have a noticeable vacancy of players who can pass or progress the ball under pressure.

There is a human element behind resistance to this hiring, too. On Friday, several Tottenham fan groups released statements speaking out against the club's pursuit of De Zerbi on the basis of his relationship with Mason Greenwood.

De Zerbi signed Greenwood during his first transfer window at Marseille in the summer of 2024. The forward was put up for sale by Manchester United having not represented them in two-and-a-half years following an initial arrest in January 2022 after sensitive material was published online. Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, assault and coercive control, but these charges were later dropped following what the Crown Prosecution Service described as a "combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material". Greenwood was therefore not sent to trial, but what was published leading to his arrest was widely viewed and remembered.

Marseille's decision to sign Greenwood stirred controversy in France, but De Zerbi threw himself in front of that storm. "I don't know his background," De Zerbi blindly said of the player, adding he would treat him and the rest of the squad as if they were his "sons". De Zerbi sought to downplay knocks on Greenwood's character at any given opportunity, commenting after his debut goal that he hoped that would become "less of a target for controversy". He later said Greenwood was a "good person" and one "very different from the one portrayed in England".

The messages from Spurs' various supporters associations spoke of a desire to avoid a character like De Zerbi. 'Proud Lilywhites', Tottenham's official LGBTQ+ group, said: "When someone in that position publicly defends a player like Mason Greenwood, and frames it in a way that downplays the seriousness of what happened, it matters, not just in isolation but in what it signals.

"We are proud of the progress that's been made in making football more inclusive and welcoming. That progress matters, and it cannot be compromised or treated as secondary. We are not asking for perfection. We are asking for accountability, transparency, and leadership that reflects the values this club claims to stand for. All together, always. That has to mean something. No to De Zerbi."

'Women of the Lane', the fans' association for women, and 'Spurs REACH', their race, ethnicity and cultural heritage supporters' association, echoed similar sentiments with that one clear message - 'no to De Zerbi'. It shouldn't be seen as weak or contrarian to not want your football club to have a manager who has acted in this way.

Goodwill has never been in a shorter supply at Spurs than at this moment. Daniel Levy's departure as chairman in September 2025 was meant to herald a new era, with the club briefing they were targeting 'more wins, more often'.

That was the bulletin broadcast by the club's owners, the elusive Lewis family, who had in fact been in control of Tottenham the entire time Levy was in post. His powers were transferred to several people, rather than having one almighty overseer again. At the top of the food chain was new CEO Vinai Venkatesham, who was already unpopular among fans for his 14-year association at rivals Arsenal.

Commonly seen with Venkatesham has been sporting director Johan Lange. In five transfer windows since joining from Aston Villa in November 2023, the squad has been significantly weakened, with Spurs finishing 17th in the Premier League following Lange's first full season in the job. After the most recent January window, Lange angered supporters by insisting he did not want to make "stress" purchases, even with the threat of relegation looming and injury problems severely limiting the options of Frank and Tudor.

That, of course, brings us to their handling of head coaches. Frank was said to have ranked top on a list of 30 candidates last summer when scouring a Postecoglou replacement, yet ended up sacked in February. Tudor was hired in-part on the recommendation of former sporting director Fabio Paratici, but lasted only five league games before he got the chop.

Now, they are pivoting to the outspoken De Zerbi with a five-year contract offer, supposedly offering guarantees over rebuilding the squad - how many times Spurs fans have heard that line before, eh? - and seemingly without any idea that the man himself could simply walk away and down tools at the first sign of trouble, but leave with his reputation in tact. What could go wrong?

There is no easy way out for Tottenham, no golden ticket to survival. The pursuit of De Zerbi is being stomached in some corners because there is no obvious candidate. Even if another rescue specialist like Sean Dyche were to accept a short-term deal - and all signs say he wouldn't, anyway - then that wouldn't guarantee beating the drop either.

And so back round we come to the beginning and the end, with Tottenham on their hands and knees to appoint a manager who didn't seem like he gave a thought to the job until more money and more years were lumped onto a contract offer which still wasn't enough for a quick 'yes'.

De Zerbi could save Spurs from relegation. It would be both an achievement in the circumstances, but equally nothing to shout about. If he is the man they get, there isn't even a guarantee of fireworks, but you can bank on everything going up in flames.

In a season defined by instability, Tottenham have set their sights on former Brighton and Marseille boss De Zerbi. The Italian has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Tudor, whose short-lived reign ended by mutual consent following a disastrous 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest. That result left Spurs sitting a precarious one point above the Premier League relegation zone.

While De Zerbi is currently a free agent, he was initially hesitant to jump into a survival scrap mid-campaign, and wanted to see if Spurs stay up before deciding on his next move. However, as per talkSPORT, the Tottenham hierarchy are prepare to pull out all the stops to bring him to the capital before the season concludes. Tottenham are prepared to pay De Zerbi a "significant survival bonus and a sign on fee" if he replaces Tudor with immediate effect.

The departure of Tudor underscores the chaos currently engulfing the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs are hoping that the combination of a long-term project and a lucrative immediate financial incentive will be enough to convince De Zerbi to take the risk now rather than in July. The former Brighton boss is still in high demand despite his acrimonious departure from Marseille in February. De Zerbi has also been linked with Man Utd, Liverpool and Real Madrid.

If a deal for De Zerbi cannot be struck for an immediate start, Spurs have several contingency plans. Sean Dyche is high on the list of potential short-term fixes, given his proven track record of maintaining top-flight status under pressure. However, a significant hurdle remains as Dyche is believed to be holding out for a minimum contract of 18 months, whereas Tottenham may prefer a more flexible arrangement.

The emotional choice for the fanbase remains Mauricio Pochettino, but his current obligations with the United States men's national team ahead of the upcoming World Cup make a sensational return nearly impossible at this stage. Other names mentioned in the corridors of power include former Monaco coach Adi Hutter and even an internal interim solution involving veteran defender Ben Davies.

The decision to move on from Tudor after just six weeks has left the board under immense scrutiny. With the threat of relegation becoming a genuine possibility, the identity of the next appointment is seen as a defining moment for the club's modern era.

Spurs will look to have a new man installed in plenty of time before their next Premier League game away at Sunderland, where they will be aiming to snap a 13-game winless run and edge away from the drop zone.

According to The Daily Mail, Hoddle has emerged as a genuine candidate to take the reins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The 68-year-old is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the club's history and previously managed the side between 2001 and 2003. However, a move for Hoddle would represent a massive gamble given that he has not held a formal management position since leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2006.

Despite his long absence from the dugout, Hoddle remains a beloved figure among the Spurs faithful. The club's hierarchy is looking for a figure who understands the club's DNA after the failed experiment with Tudor. Hoddle has indicated a willingness to step in and help his former side during their hour of need.

The search for a new boss was triggered after Tudor was sacked after just seven games across 44 days at the helm. The Croatian's interim tenure was nothing short of a disaster, yielding only a single Premier League point from five matches.

A humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest proved to be the final straw for the board, leaving the club precariously perched just one point above the relegation zone. Tudor's staff, including Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci, have also departed.

While Hoddle is the romantic choice, other names have been linked with the vacancy. Sean Dyche is a favourite with bookmakers but has distanced himself from the role, while Roberto De Zerbi is reluctant to take on a new project mid-season.

Former Spurs figures such as Harry Redknapp and Tim Sherwood have also been mentioned as potential short-term fixes. The club is currently reluctant to hand out a long-term contract as they hope to attract a high-profile name like Mauricio Pochettino in the summer. For now, Bruno Saltor will lead training sessions while the board works behind the scenes to secure a replacement before the trip to Sunderland on April 12.

The stakes could not be higher for Tottenham as they face the very real prospect of playing Championship football next season. Having already cycled through Thomas Frank and Tudor this campaign, the next appointment must deliver an immediate impact.

Hoddle’s potential return would be a nostalgic throwback, but whether he can bridge a 20-year gap in management remains the big question. With only seven games remaining in the Premier League season, Spurs are running out of time and matches to save their top-flight status.

Decisive action has been taken at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with seven fixtures in the 2025-26 campaign remaining. Spurs are perched just one place and solitary point above the drop zone following a worrying run of form.

Tudor picked up just one point from his five Premier League matches at the helm - in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool - and also oversaw a last-16 exit from Champions League competition following a 7-5 aggregate defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Spurs have decided that another change in the dugout is required, as they face tumbling into the Championship, with Tudor’s deal - that was due to run until a permanent appointment was sought in the summer - being brought to a premature conclusion.

A statement on the club’s official website read: “We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed for Head Coach Igor Tudor to leave the Club with immediate effect. Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci have also left their respective roles of Goalkeeping Coach and Physical Coach.

“We thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their efforts during the past six weeks, in which they worked tirelessly. We also acknowledge the bereavement that Igor has recently suffered and send our support to him and his family at this difficult time. An update on a new Head Coach will be provided in due course.”

According to The Athletic, “Spurs expect to appoint a new coach in the coming days, in time for the majority of the first team squad’s return to the training centre after the international break”. They go on to state that “the plan is for Tudor’s successor to have 10 days to prepare for their next fixture, away at Sunderland on April 12”.

Before another manager is acquired, Tudor’s former assistant Bruno Saltor “will lead training for the few players who have remained at Hotspur Way during the three-week hiatus between games”.

A 3-0 defeat to fellow basement dwellers Nottingham Forest proved to be the final straw for Tudor, with that reversal - which was endured on home soil - seeing Spurs slip to 17th in the Premier League standings.

Tudor’s short reign at Spurs opened with three successive defeats to Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace - making him just the second head coach in Tottenham’s history to open with such a run, following Martin Jol enduring the same fate in November 2004.

A third manager of the season is now being lined up, with 2022-23 the last time that happened - when Antonio Conte, Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason all passed through the dugout.

The Athletic are among those to have claimed that former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, who is out of work after leaving French giants Marseille, has been identified as a top target by Tottenham’s board.

He would, however, prefer to make a return to coaching in the summer - rather than join a late-season rescue mission - and has been the subject of objections from three Tottenham fan groups following his support of ex-Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood during his spell at Marseille.

Here is the statement from Tottenham: "We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed that head coach Igor Tudor will leave the Club with immediate effect. Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci have also stepped down from their respective roles as goalkeeping coach and fitness coach. We would like to thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their dedication over the past six weeks, during which they have worked tirelessly.

We would also like to express our sympathy to Igor following the recent bereavement he has suffered and send our support to him and his family at this difficult time. We will provide updates on the appointment of a new manager in due course.”

So, who will be his replacement?

The race to find Tottenham’s new manager before the end of the international break has officially begun. Roberto De Zerbi had been mentioned in the past, but the current favourite appears to be Sean Dyche, who has already been sacked this season by Nottingham Forest – another side involved in the relegation battle – and who recently beat the Spurs themselves in the league.

But why would Sean Dyche be the one to take over? The former Forest manager is open to a short-term contract and stepping in mid-season. This is a solution that Roberto De Zerbi appears to have rejected, preferring to wait and see how the season pans out before deciding whether to sit down with the Spurs board to discuss a return to the Premier League next year.

The former Marseille manager prefers to continue waiting for the right project, avoiding the prospect of taking over mid-season in a particularly precarious situation such as that facing Tottenham, who must do everything in their power to avoid relegation and a drop to the Championship.

Kulusevski has not featured for Spurs all season and the recent news of a second operation sparked fears that he would be out for even longer than expected. Speaking to Viaplay, however, he admitted that while the journey was difficult, the recent surgical intervention was the turning point he needed. "I understand that people were worried, but it was actually for the wrong reason," he explained. "It was really positive to undergo this small operation and be able to identify the problem. Now everything should be sorted out. Maybe because of things that won't be known because, at the end of the day, it's only God who decides and no one else."

The primary concern for Spurs supporters and Sweden fans alike has been whether the winger can rediscover the explosive form that made him a Premier League standout. Kulusevski, however, is not interested in simply returning to his previous level. He believes the time away from the pitch has allowed him to develop a new perspective on the game and his own physical capabilities, prompting a bold transformation in his playing style.

Addressing the doubts regarding his potential performance levels, Kulusevski was defiant. "I hear people talking: 'Will he be the same player when he returns?' No, I won't be the same player," he stated firmly. "I'll be much better and much stronger, smarter and better for my teammates. It's the driving force I have. It's a challenge that I haven't been able to overcome so far, since I'm not healthy. But it's not over yet and now is when the second game begins."

The winger is already looking forward to making an impact on the biggest stage and believes that his recovery path is following a pre-destined script that will lead to success in the coming months. His confidence remains unshaken despite the time he has spent away from competitive football while Spurs battle relegation and the Sweden national team fight for a place in the World Cup, having beaten Ukraine to set up a play-off final against Poland.

"Now it's just a matter of returning to the pitch calmly and consistently," he said. "I finally see the light. I am convinced, I feel better. I really have a good feeling about the game with Poland and at the World Cup in a few months. That's how the book and the chapter will end. I'm convinced of it."

For Tottenham manager Igor Tudor, the return of a fully fit and motivated Kulusevski will be seen as a major boost. The winger provides a unique tactical profile that has been missed during his absence. The focus now shifts to his integration back into the high-intensity environment of the Premier League, where he will be expected to prove that his "new" version is indeed a superior one.

According to The Telegraph, Tottenham have already held talks with De Zerbi regarding the permanent head coach position. The Italian tactician is currently out of work after departing from the French side by mutual consent in February. Spurs find themselves in a huge battle to avoid the drop after losing 3-0 at home to Nottingham Forest on Sunday, but they are actively planning for survival. De Zerbi is also viewed as a potential candidate for Manchester United and Liverpool, should Arne Slot leave Anfield, but he is genuinely intrigued by the project at the club if they avoid Championship football.

The Times reports that there have been talks regarding De Zerbi taking over from Igor Tudor immediately, with a clause in the contract that would allow him to leave in the summer should they go down. However, Spurs have reservations over such a deal.

The managerial situation remains highly fluid, as Igor Tudor’s future as interim head coach was plunged back into doubt following the weekend's loss. Since taking charge, the Croatian has overseen seven matches, suffering five defeats and managing just one draw. His solitary victory, a 3-2 triumph over Atletico Madrid, felt like a defeat as it confirmed their Champions League exit following a 5-2 first-leg loss. However, the club’s immediate priority is supporting him following the passing of his father. Tottenham released a statement: “Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Igor Tudor’s father, Mario. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Igor and his family during this incredibly difficult time.”

The 46-year-old tactician has built a formidable reputation across Europe, particularly during his recent tenures at Brighton and Marseille. During his time on the English south coast, he oversaw 89 matches, securing 38 victories and subsequently took his expansive, attacking philosophy to France. Before his mutual departure in February, he managed 69 games across all competitions for the Ligue 1 outfit, boasting an impressive return of 39 wins. Despite a challenging final campaign that included 12 defeats in 33 matches, his high-risk style remains highly coveted.

Returning from the international break, Tottenham face a daunting seven-game sprint to preserve their Premier League status. Sunday's damaging 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest leaves Spurs firmly entrenched in the battle to beat the drop, sitting in 17th place on 30 points from 31 matches. Their conquerors climbed to 16th with 32 points, while West Ham sit just one point behind Tottenham in 18th. The immediate path to survival begins at Sunderland, followed by a home clash against Brighton, before visiting basement side Wolves on 17 points. With Burnley also struggling on 20, Spurs must find form quickly.

Tottenham's latest loss, a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, left fans incensed as it leaves the club’s top-flight status in serious jeopardy. This result significantly heightened Spurs' relegation fears, with the north Londoners now enduring their worst statistical form in 91 years after going 13 matches without a league win. While Tudor remained on the touchline for the duration of the match, sportske novosti in his native Croatia reports that he was met with the heartbreaking news of his father Mario’s death immediately after the final whistle. The club subsequently confirmed the manager would not fulfil his post-match media obligations due to an immediate family bereavement.

Stepping in for the head coach, Saltor spoke with heavy emotion about the personal toll on Tudor. "It's a personal family issue and obviously it's a difficult moment for him," he told reporters. Despite the bleak match result, Saltor attempted to maintain a sense of unity within the camp. He added: "We feel the support of everyone at the club and we're just focusing on how we can help the players. What gives me belief? The last two games, against Liverpool and Atletico Madrid and the first half today. We should've been at least 1-0 up. Right now, every small detail is going against us; it is about turning it around and that's what gives us confidence."

Since Tudor replaced Thomas Frank in February, the expected 'new manager bounce' has failed to materialise, with the Croatian securing just one point from his five league games. This disastrous run has seen Spurs plummet to 17th in the Premier League table, leaving them a solitary point above the relegation zone. Such a bleak outlook represents the club’s lowest points tally at this stage of a top-flight campaign since the 1914-15 season, highlighting the magnitude of the crisis currently gripping north London.

Tottenham now enter a crucial three-week hiatus due to the international break and their previous FA Cup exit, providing a window for Tudor to grieve while the club’s hierarchy considers his future. Upon their return, the team faces a gruelling seven-game sprint to avoid the drop, beginning with a trip to Sunderland and a home clash against Brighton. With high-stakes away fixtures at Chelsea and Aston Villa still to come, Spurs must find a way to snap their winless streak in 2026 or face the very real prospect of Championship football.

According to Football Insider, the mood at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has shifted from cautious optimism to desperation following the weekend’s heavy loss. Despite a resilient draw against Liverpool and a confidence-boosting win over Atletico Madrid earlier in the week, the capitulation against Forest appears to have made Tudor’s position untenable. The statistics make for grim reading; since his appointment, Tudor has managed just one win and one draw in seven outings, overseeing five defeats while his side have conceded 20 goals. This latest setback marks only the third time in Premier League history that Spurs have lost at home by three or more goals to a side starting the day in the bottom four.

While the club initially hoped Tudor would navigate the squad through to the end of the campaign, the threat of relegation has forced a rethink. The current tally of 30 points from 31 games equals Tottenham's lowest-ever return at this stage of a top-flight season, a record dating back to the 1914-15 campaign. Football Insider sources indicate that internal discussions are already "accelerating" as the board looks to use the two-week domestic hiatus to install a replacement. Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness has apparently suggested that Roberto De Zerbi remains the frontrunner due to his proven Premier League pedigree, though the club's managers from the past, including Harry Redknapp and Glenn Hoddle, have also been mentioned in connection with a short-term rescue mission.

The primary dilemma for the Spurs board is whether a top-tier candidate like De Zerbi would be willing to step into a volatile relegation scrap at this late point in the season. While initial plans favoured a summer appointment, the reality of being a solitary point ahead of 18th-placed West Ham has changed the timeline. The club is believed to be in active talks with multiple candidates, but a final long-term commitment may hinge on the team’s ability to secure their Premier League status. For now, the focus remains on finding a figure capable of stopping the defensive rot that has seen the team fall to the brink of the bottom three.

The international break provides a vital window for the board to potentially appoint a successor before the Premier League's final push begins next month. A daunting schedule awaits the struggling north London side, featuring high-stakes away fixtures against Sunderland and Wolves, bookending a crucial home clash with Brighton on April 18. Whoever takes the dugout must secure immediate results to halt the defensive rot and prevent a catastrophic slide into the Championship.