Football FanCast

Just minutes after Tottenham Hotspur confirmed their mutual decision to end Igor Tudor's reign, Fabrizio Romano has revealed their "dream" manager target.

Tottenham sack Tudor

After a 3-0 thumping at the hands of relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Tudor have parted ways. The Croatian won just one game in charge, which came in the Champions League when Spurs were all but out against Atletico Madrid.

With seven games left to play, the Lilywhites are now without a manager and just one point above the dropzone. They've got an almighty decision to make before the end of the international break.

Releasing the statement confirming the news, Tottenham said: "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."

Now back to square one, it's not a decision that Spurs can afford to get wrong. Up next, they've got a trip to the Stadium of Light to contend with. To say that won't be a routine afternoon is an understatement.

Meanwhile, before the action returns, club chiefs are dreaming of hiring a former Premier League manager.

Romano reveals Tottenham's "dream" target

According to transfer expert Romano, Tottenham "dream" of hiring Roberto De Zerbi to replace Tudor. He dropped the bombshell about the Italian just minutes after the managerial news emerged, but it remains to be seen whether Spurs get their top candidate or are forced to look elsewhere.

It's no major shock that De Zerbi is the priority. Unfortunately for Spurs, though, it is currently unlikely that he will take the job whilst their Premier League status remains in limbo.

Should they survive, he represents an excellent long-term option. What he isn't is a relegation specialist and that's what those in North London need most right now.

It won't be the easiest run of games for whoever arrives. Whilst results will be expected against the likes of Wolves, a trip to Chelsea in the final two could lead to disastrous consequences, as could Leeds United's visit to North London.

Tottenham's Premier League balance remains in the balance and the hunt for their next manager is officially underway.

After Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest before the international break, the hierarchy have been left with a huge decision to make over the future of Igor Tudor.

The Croatian was brought into the club to provide a needed upturn in results in the Premier League, but the 47-year-old has so far been unable to claim a single win in any of his five league outings.

The loss against the relegation rivals on home soil has only increased the pressure on the manager, who’s also having to deal with the tragic passing of his father in recent days.

It’s currently unclear which way the Lilywhites hierarchy will lean with their decision, but it’s understandable that, given the looming threat of relegation, a choice needs to be made swiftly.

Despite the lack of clarity on the current managerial situation, numerous potential names have been mentioned over the last few days in regard to replacing the current temporary boss.

Former PL boss now wants the Spurs manager job

In recent days, former Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi has once again been touted with the possibility of taking the reins as Spurs manager.

The Italian has previously stated that he would be interested in taking charge in North London, but would prefer to wait until the summer to see what division the club are in.

A move to appoint the 46-year-old before the end of the 2025/26 season now appears highly unlikely, with other targets now being considered should Tudor be sacked.

One name that has been thrown into the mix over recent days is former Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche, with huge news emerging about his potential arrival.

According to TEAMtalk, the 54-year-old would jump at the opportunity to manage the Lilywhites, with the club seeing him as an option to steer the side clear of relegation.

The report also states that the manager would not accept a short-term deal in North London, with Dyche wanting reassurance over securing the job into 2026/27.

Regardless of the demands of either party, TEAMtalk further state that the Englishman is a manager who is under huge consideration at present.

Why Dyche could be Spurs’ next Nuno

Tudor’s spell in charge of Spurs has certainly been one to forget for everyone involved, with his appointment only pushing the club closer to the relegation zone in recent weeks.

It’s not the first time the Lilywhites have struggled to impress under a new manager, with Nuno Espírito Santo also struggling to meet expectations in North London.

The 52-year-old joined back in the summer of 2021, but his spell in charge was anything but plain sailing, subsequently being dismissed after just 17 games at the helm.

He did win nine of his games in charge in North London - achieving a 53% win rate in the process - but it wasn’t enough to secure his position in charge of the Lilywhites.

Given the current situation, many fans would love to have the former boss back in charge, but their loss has proven to be West Ham’s gain - a team they’re facing in the current relegation battle.

Nuno has rejuvenated the Hammers side in recent months, subsequently making the desired impact across the capital and leading his current side to within a point of the Lilywhites.

However, Spurs could be about to hire their own version of the manager with Dyche, with the former Forest boss having experience of dragging sides clear of looming relegation threat.

Whilst he was handed his marching orders at the City Ground, the 54-year-old did achieve a 40% win rate - a record that would certainly pull Spurs clear of the drop zone.

Going back through his managerial career, he’s achieved survival against the odds with the likes of Burnley and Everton - which could make him the perfect candidate.

Like Nuno at the time, he certainly won’t be the most popular appointment, but if he does secure safety, he certainly will forever be remembered by the Spurs faithful.

Nuno’s impact with the Hammers has brought the Lilywhites ever closer to the drop zone, with the Englishman potentially having the same impact in North London.

His football certainly wouldn’t be the easiest on the eye, but Dyche’s philosophy of defensive solidity would massively improve the situation unfolding at present.

Tudor’s side have conceded 20 goals in the last seven games in charge, something which Dyche would no doubt be able to transform should he be handed the job.

The similarities between the former Forest boss and Nuno are there for all to see, with such a job undoubtedly the biggest in their career - but for different reasons.

Dyche could well be handed the manager’s job in the coming weeks, which could see a final throw of the dice from the hierarchy, given the terrible tenure of Tudor.

With around two weeks before they make their Premier League return, one Tottenham Hotspur insider has confirmed when Igor Tudor is likely to be sacked.

Tottenham willing to appoint Dyche

The situation has never been more urgent than it is now at Tottenham. The Lilywhites are just one point above the dropzone with seven games left to play. They remain without a league win in 2026 and just suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of relegation rivals Nottingham Forest.

Something simply has to change and those in North London seem to be well aware. Recent reports claimed earlier this week that Tottenham are now willing to turn to survival specialist Sean Dyche whilst Roberto De Zerbi continues to push for a summer arrival.

According to Dyche, however, there is nothing in the links as of yet. He told talkSPORT: "When you’re a manager you know you’re going to get asked these questions at some point.

"When you get asked them you try to be respectful. Tottenham are a brilliant club and a massive club, so when you say ‘I’m flattered’ everyone then goes ‘he hasn’t said no!’"

Whether that changes before the end of the international break remains to be seen. But even if it's not Dyche, it seems as though Spurs are ready to make a decision regarding Tudor's future.

The Croatian has won one game in what has been a disastrous tenure and a club insider has now shared when he's likely to leave the club.

According to Tottenham insider John Wenham, Tottenham are most "likely" to sack Tudor on Monday to give their next manager enough time to settle into the job before the Premier League returns.

"Tottenham are dealing with it appropriately and delicately, and it’s not about sacking somebody in the week of their father having their funeral and the sad loss and grief that he’ll be going through.

"It does seem like, from the media reports, that one, Tudor is definitely going to be relieved of his duties, and secondly, it’s likely to happen on Monday, thus giving two clear weeks until we play that fixture at Sunderland, which would give a new manager time to come in and work with the players." (Wenham via Tottenham News)

Tottenham are approaching the situation with delecacy, as Wehmam points out, following the death of Tudor's father on the day of the Nottingham Forest defeat.

A decision is "definitely" set to be made, however, and if Wenham is right then the interim boss will be heading for the exit door at the start of next week.

With seven games to go, it will leave Spurs without a manager and just a point above the relegation zone.

Tottenham Hotspur's malaise has deepened into something far more concerning, with the abject failures throughout the season now threatening to consume the Londoners.

While Tottenham still haven't fallen into the Premier League relegation zone, they are perilously close, and the recent improvements of West Ham United underline the desperate need for an upturn in results.

One spirited draw at Anfield aside, Spurs have lost every league game since the 1st of February, when Manchester City were held to a draw at the Etihad Stadium. They have been unable to build on the Europa League triumph of 2024/25, instead drinking from that poisoned chalice and now staring at relegation to the Championship.

Igor Tudor was only drafted in last month, but the Croatian interim coach has failed to get a tune out of this struggling squad, and a familial bereavement after the recent defeat to Nottingham Forest could see a mutual parting of ways before action resumes after the March international break.

Who Spurs could replace Tudor with

Roberto De Zerbi is the leading contender to take the job at Tottenham, but the Italian appears to have major reservations over taking on the role as the Lilywhites fight against relegation.

Whether they will succeed in that bid remains to be seen, and with Tudor's future uncertain, Sean Dyche has emerged as an alternative, but despite his relegation expertise, the former Burnley, Everton and Nottingham Forest is not the most inspiring name on the list.

However, this all feels like Mauricio Pochettino is being somewhat overlooked. Yes, the ex-Tottenham manager is firmly on ENIC Group's radar, and while the Argentine is set to lead USMNT out for the World Cup this summer, there's a sense that he'd jump at the chance to return to the Premier League and N17.

It's unlikely, but former Spurs and USA goalkeeper Kasey Keller reckons Tottenham could convince their former boss to jump ship before the end of the season, thus forfeiting his position at the helm.

Why Spurs should appoint Pochettino

It's nearly been seven years since Tottenham and Daniel Levy decided to sack Pochettino, months after he led them to the Champions League final.

Speaking at the time, journalist Alex Keble hailed the South American as a "genius", suggesting he was "too good" for Levy and for Spurs.

There was a strong argument to the decison - at the time - but it's hard to make a case for Tottenham having headed in the right direction since, and appointing either Dyche or De Zerbi may well be a continuation down that same errant track.

Frank and now Tudor have failed to spark any fluency or form from Tottenham's players. This is a talented team and, even against the backdrop of endless injuries, they should not be battling against relegation at the business end of the season.

But this is the Lilywhites' reality, and time is running out to preserve their status in the top flight. The defence is porous and the frontline lacks any kind of balance and sharpness. Pochettino's typical 4-2-3-1 formation and his controlled, front-footed style would align with the capabilities of the squad.

Whether ENIC Group and sporting director Johan Lange could prise Pochettino away from the USMNT before the World Cup is one thing, but if there is a glimmer of a chance in that regard, it must be taken, with the 54-year-old capable of giving rise to confidence and coherence, tying the squad together and maybe directing them toward form that would edge them away from the drop.

Dyche, though a relegation-fighting specialist, is simply not an inspiring coach, and his pragmatic tactics may well run at odds with a group of players whose confidence has been shot to pieces and whose connection is rather brittle.

De Zerbi, meanwhile, is a top tactician but has a volatile nature and a track record of contentiousness. Both managers have been sacked from their posts in 2026, whereas Pochettino understands Tottenham and has a rousing interpersonal style that would ensure the players have the fuel and focus to end this continent-wide discussion of Spurs' potential relegation from the Premier League.

Moreover, he could carry them forward over the next few years, building a project once again.

Igor Tudor looks more and more like a man on borrowed time, with one report claiming that Tottenham are seriously considering an ex-Watford boss to replace the Croatian.

Tottenham ramp up manager search as Tudor faces exit

Tottenham's search for a Tudor replacement has become one of the most chaotic and revealing stories in the Premier League recently.

A week into the international break, the club still does not have a new manager confirmed, Tudor has not yet been officially released, and the list of names that have either been approached, discussed, rejected or simply dismissed grows longer with every passing day.

Adi Hutter remains somewhere in the picture, with esteemed French newspaper L'Équipe reporting that the 56-year-old Austrian has been contacted and discussions have begun.

Sky Sport Germany's insistence that no concrete talks have taken place has muddied the water considerably, and the mood around a potential Hutter appointment has shifted from one of cautious optimism to quiet uncertainty.

His lack of Premier League experience has done nothing to help his case with a squad that needs an immediate lift, not another continental experiment like Tudor.

Roberto De Zerbi, the man the club genuinely want, keeps saying no to any prospect of an immediate role.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed the Italian remains the favourite for the summer role if Spurs survive, but his alleged 'not now' response to this week's fresh approach has made it clear he will not be rushed.

Mauricio Pochettino is contractually committed to the United States until the World Cup ends in July.

Marco Silva, discussed internally, remains at Fulham until at least the end of the season.

Ryan Mason, Chris Hughton and Tim Sherwood have all been floated as options, while Gus Poyet applied publicly on talkSPORT and was largely ignored.

Harry Redknapp put his hand up as well recently, nine years out of management, and was met with similar silence.

Robbie Keane, briefly discussed as a possibility, made it clear he has no interest in an interim appointment as Celtic and Crystal Palace also eye a move for the Irishman.

And so ENIC, growing more desperate by the day, have arrived at a name that is pragmatic, available and unmistakably unglamorous — Sean Dyche.

Sean Dyche ready to join Tottenham now as Spurs 'seriously consider' move

TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey report that Dyche is ready to take the Tottenham job right now.

The 52-year-old, currently without a club following his spell at Nottingham Forest, is understood to be genuinely open to the challenge of keeping Spurs in the Premier League and sources indicate ENIC are now 'seriously considering' him.

The thinking inside the club is straightforward: with seven games left and a single point separating them from the relegation zone, they need someone who has been in survival fights before and come out the other side.

Dyche has done exactly that — most memorably at Burnley, where he kept a limited squad in the top flight through sheer defensive organisation and collective determination, and at Everton, where he steadied a ship that looked almost certain to go under.

The Englishman also had a stint at Watford before his more noteworthy chapters.

He is not the appointment Tottenham fans dreamed of.

He is not De Zerbi's pressing philosophy or Pochettino's emotional connection to the club. He is a back-to-basics manager who organises defences, demands effort and wins ugly when ugly is what is needed.

Right now, ugly might be exactly what Spurs need.

Igor Tudor looked like he'd cracked the code at Tottenham Hotspur, overseeing a creditable draw at Anfield prior to securing a first win in charge over Atletico Madrid. The doubters appeared to have been quietened.

And yet, the Croatian proceeded to leave out arguably his best player against Atleti, Xavi Simons, for the visit of Nottingham Forest, while hooking the likes of Micky van de Ven at the break as the Lilywhites slumped back to square one again.

Almost a week has gone by without any concrete update regarding the 47-year-old's future, albeit with Spurs in no immediate rush to make a decision, with Tudor in mourning after the sad passing of his father last weekend.

If a change in the dugout is to be made, be it by mutual consent or not, free agent Roberto De Zerbi appears to be the leading target, yet other contenders also remain on the table.

Spurs could hire another free agent if De Zerbi says no

Reports earlier this week indicated that De Zerbi was ready to get straight back into work after his dismissal from Marseille, with the Italian believing he can be the man to lift Spurs away from danger.

The suggestion was that the 46-year-old was keen to get his hands dirty, rather than wait until the end of the season, not least with a potential move to Manchester United looking increasingly unlikely.

That viewpoint has since been challenged, however, with The Telegraph reporting on Friday afternoon that the north London side may have to change tack, should De Zerbi continue to insist that he will only take charge this summer.

The suggestion is that the former Brighton and Hove Albion boss would rather wait to see if Spurs are able to avoid relegation, before committing himself to the long-term project.

In the case of De Zerbi's continued refusal, the report outlined that the club hierarchy may then turn instead to fellow out-of-work coach, Sean Dyche, with the Englishman having parted ways with Nottingham Forest last month.

The only obstacle in that scenario is the fact of whether the 54-year-old would agree to taking over on a purely interim basis, with it said to be 'unlikely' that he pens a deal for just seven games.

​​​​​​​Why "old-school" Spurs target could be the perfect Tudor upgrade

Nuno Espirito Santo, formerly of Spurs, is now battling the north Londoners in the relegation dogfight at West Ham United, having been dismissed from his post at the City Ground earlier in the campaign.

The Portuguese coach had been succeeded in Nottingham by another ex-Tottenham boss, Ange Postecoglou, albeit with the Aussie then himself replaced just 39 days later.

His successor, Dyche, could now be the man to lead Spurs to safety at the expense of either West Ham or former club Forest. All makes sense, right?

Such a managerial merry-go-round may well have appeared unthinkable when Thomas Frank was named as Postecoglou's successor last summer, yet here we are, with desperate times calling for desperate measures as far as Tottenham are concerned.

Dyche, it must be said, is not the glamour name of De Zerbi, having even referred to himself as the "most old-school manager in the world" during his Burnley pomp.

And yet, if it is a firefighter Spurs are in need of, then he may well be the go-to man, representing a clear upgrade on Tudor, considering his prior Premier League experience.

Even in his most recent post at Forest, Dyche didn't disgrace himself, it must be said, somewhat harshly dismissed after racking up 22 points from 18 league games, after inheriting the mess that had been made by Postecoglou before him.

Whether it is at Burnley or Everton, the veteran coach has been in this position time and again, notably guiding the Toffees to safety back in 2022/23, with the Merseysiders having been in the relegation zone when he replaced Frank Lampard in the January.

Repeating that feat in the space of just seven games appears a little more taxing, although he knows how to steady the ship, having beaten Leeds United and Liverpool, while drawing with Manchester United, in three of his first four league games in charge in Nottingham.

Also unbeaten in his three career meetings with rival candidate, De Zerbi, Dyche is the kind of short-term solution Spurs are craving, having taken such a step backwards with Tudor in charge.

The latter man's lack of Premier League experience may well have been his undoing, yet with 350 top-flight games under his belt, Dyche represents a significant upgrade.

It remains remarkable to think that after ten games of the 2023/24 season, Tottenham Hotspur were sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table, following an unbeaten start to life under Ange Postecoglou.

The subsequent loss to Chelsea at N17 feels like a real defining moment then for what has occurred since, with Postecoglou's men hit for four in that memorable Monday night game, losing both Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie to red cards, while having also seen James Maddison and Micky van de Ven forced off with injury.

As it would prove, the Lilywhites would end that season in fifth with 12 league defeats in total, having lost a further 37 top-flight games since the start of 2024/25. Rivals Arsenal, for comparison, have lost just seven games over the past 18 months.

It's all come to a head with Spurs now very much in the relegation picture, with the question remaining as to who will be the next short-term or long-term appointment in north London.

Premier League boss could be ready to take the Tottenham job

Interim head coach, Igor Tudor, is still in place for now, although after Sunday's debacle at Nottingham Forest, there is a sense that the Croatian is heading for an inevitable exit.

With that in mind, reports this week indicated that Roberto De Zerbi is ready to get his hands dirty and take over the post immediately, despite parallel claims that we would rather wait until the end of the season.

The Italian maverick is currently available after his dismissal from Marseille last month, with his prior work in the Premier League at Brighton and Hove Albion also a major plus point.

The same is also true of Sean Dyche, with the 54-year-old another free agent who is also believed to be under consideration.

That said, there are those already in the top-flight who could also be in the equation, with GIVEMESPORT reporting that talks have already been held internally by the ENIC regime regarding a potential approach for Fulham's Marco Silva.

As the report notes, it is not yet clear whether that is with an eye on the 48-year-old replacing Tudor immediately, or joining this summer, with the Portuguese coach set to be out of contract at the end of the season.

Silva, for what's worth, is said to be ready to take the leap after racking up a wealth of experience at the likes of Everton, Watford and Hull City.

Why Silva would be a better appointment than De Zerbi

There's no denying that De Zerbi appears to be the frontrunner right now, with the 46-year-old's eye-catching brand of football likely to make him an appealing option for a fanbase who rightly demand exciting and progressive football.

That being said, the one-time Sassuolo coach has hardly showcased that he can be a long-term fit at any club, lasting less than two seasons at Brighton before moving on, while having also been in charge for roughly 18 months at Marseille.

Silva, therefore, would appear a wiser pick for ENIC in that sense, with the relatively youthful coach having been at Craven Cottage since the 2021/22 season, overseeing steady progress in west London over recent years.

There might also be the bonus, should the worst-case scenario occur, of Silva's work in the Championship during that debut campaign at Fulham, having lifted the club back into the Premier League at the first time of asking, while comfortably stabilising them in the top-flight since then.

In the current campaign too, the 4-2-3-1 boss has led the Cottagers firmly toward European contention, doing so without the need for lavish spending or major squad upheaval.

His "genius" - as he's been hailed by journalist Dean Jones - is forming a team that is greater than the sum of its parts, while transforming the fortunes of a player like Harry Wilson, now enjoying a career-best season with 16 goals and assists in the league already.

A figure who has managed in English football over an extended period now, having joined Hull City almost a decade ago during the 2016/17 campaign, Silva has done it all in truth, tasting relegation with the Tigers, yet also leading his current side to promotion.

That next step is to then allow him the opportunity to flourish at an elite club like Spurs, with Silva the type of figure who can bring a sense of calm to proceedings, unlike the chaos that De Zerbi so often provides, or in the at times dour manner that Dyche offers.

Whether it is as Tudor's immediate successor, or as the long-term replacement for Thomas Frank, the Fulham boss has more than done enough to put his hat in the ring.

Tottenham have approached a highly-rated manager to replace Igor Tudor 'this week', with the tactician responding to Spurs' interest.

Tottenham eye up a host of managers to replace Igor Tudor

The week that began with Tottenham in the grip of a full-blown managerial crisis ends, somehow, with even more chaos.

As the international break provides a brief pause in the Premier League action, ENIC have reportedly been burning through phone lines and burning through patience in equal measure, and the picture emerging from Spurs' frantic search for Tudor's replacement is one of rejected approaches, blocked routes and very few straightforward answers.

It started promisingly enough — on the surface at least.

Adi Hutter's name dominated the early part of the week, with the French newspaper L'Equipe confirming the Austrian had been contacted and discussions had begun.

TEAMtalk backed that up, though Sky Germany threw cold water on the idea of concrete progress, insisting no formal talks had yet taken place.

Hutter, 56, out of work since leaving Monaco in October, has been seen as a credible short-term option — but his lack of Premier League experience has done nothing to soothe concerns about whether he represents genuine progress.

Fabrizio Romano spent much of the week threading the needle on a far more significant name.

Roberto De Zerbi, the Italian who transformed Brighton into a top-six force and guided Marseille to second in Ligue 1, remains Spurs' primary long-term target.

The 46-year-old has just one trophy on his CV - a Ukrainian Super Cup win from his time at Shakhtar Donetsk - yet Pep Guardiola has called him one of the most 'influential managers of the last 20 years'.

Romano confirmed as much publicly — De Zerbi is the "favourite candidate from June," open to discussing the role in the summer provided Spurs survive.

He also tantalised with a single line that kept the door ever so slightly ajar, simply stating: "Let's see if Tottenham decide to make one more attempt for De Zerbi now."

They apparently did, but TEAMtalk claim that it has come to nothing.

Roberto De Zerbi says no to Tottenham after fresh approach 'this week'

Indeed, Tottenham made a fresh approach to De Zerbi this week and received a "not now" response for their troubles.

It is the latest in a consistent pattern stretching back weeks in which the former Brighton and Marseille boss has declined every opening to commit to an immediate return to management.

Sky Italy and Gianluca Di Marzio had already made his position clear: De Zerbi has no intention of going back into the dugout before the summer, regardless of which club is asking.

His departure from Marseille in February following a 5-0 thrashing by PSG was not long ago, and he is determined to step back, assess his options and return at a time of his own choosing.

It is not a specific rejection of Tottenham.

The Italian would consider Spurs in the summer and is open to talks — the project, the squad, the stadium all have their appeal. But a relegation-threatened mid-season rescue mission is not what he has in mind, and no amount of persistence from north London has yet shifted that position.

Whether another attempt might eventually change his mind remains, technically, an open question.

With the Sunderland game on April 12 approaching and Tudor's future still unresolved, Tottenham are fast running out of time to keep gambling on the answer changing.

Tottenham Hotspur are now in a desperate position following a brutal response from Roberto De Zerbi. So much so that they're finally willing to turn towards a survival specialist.

De Zerbi delivers frustrating Tottenham response

In Tottenham's ideal world, De Zerbi would be their man. He would be on his way to take the reins and guide the club back to where they were prior to what has been a disastrous 12 months. This, however, is not their ideal world.

The reality is that touching down in North London could quickly hand any given manager a relegation on their CV, and a big one at that. It's a fate that Igor Tudor could be resigned to if he keeps hold of his interim position and one that De Zerbi is keen to avoid.

Following claims that the Italian is a candidate for the job, reports have indicated that he would like to take the job in the summer rather than in the final seven games of a relegation battle.

If Spurs are to make a managerial change, then it has to be during the international break. It's the perfect time to reset before a daunting final two months of Premier League action.

It's desperate times for Tottenham and those remaining seven games look far from routine. They're in dire need of a survival specialist.

Desperate Tottenham willing to hire Sean Dyche

With De Zerbi only willing to take charge from the summer, Tottenham are now willing to hire Sean Dyche, as per The Telegraph's Sam Wallace.

At this stage of the campaign, the former Nottingham Forest and Everton boss stands out as the best option. Now is not the time to focus on style or someone that will steal the headlines. Sat one point above the dropzone, Tottenham simply need results.

Dyche has some unfinished business in the current campaign too, after Nottingham Forest showed him the door following just 18 Premier League games in charge. It would be quite the story if his turnaround at Spurs played a part in dragging the Tricky Trees down to the Championship.

The manager's 4-2-3-1 pragmatic system is unlikely to be entertaining, but it may well prove to be more effective than Tudor's approach which is yet to earn a single league win.

Liverpool have identified one marquee Tottenham star as a long-term replacement for their club legend, according to a new report.

Spurs face mass summer exodus amid relegation fears

Seven games left, one point above the drop zone, no Premier League win since December. Whatever unfolds in the coming weeks, the summer at Tottenham is already shaping up to be one of the most consequential in the club's history.

Regardless of which division they find themselves in come May, technical director Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham have come under serious fire after what has been a disastrous campaign.

Tottenham could hire yet another new manager amid the uncertainty surrounding Igor Tudor, and face a potential summer exodus.

The scale of possible departures is staggering.

The Athletic reported in February that 15 first-team players could leave if relegation becomes reality, a list that reads more like a fantasy football XI than a squad set for the Championship.

The full scroll of names they mentioned were Guglielmo Vicario, Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Kevin Danso, Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison, Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.

Xavi Simons, signed for £55m last summer, is reportedly keen on a return to Barcelona.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is said to be exhausted by the chaos and ready to move on, with Inter Milan eyed up as a specific destination.

Mohammed Kudus, another expensive acquisition, is on Atletico Madrid's radar.

Micky van de Ven, meanwhile, is being tracked by Man United, Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Most of the squad hold relegation clauses allowing wages to be cut by up to 50 per cent, as per The Athletic — cold comfort given how many would simply walk out of the door regardless.

Lilywhites captain Romero is another curious case, with reports stating for months that he looks certain to leave N17 this summer regardless of their league standing.

Liverpool identify Spurs captain Cristian Romero as target to replace van Dijk

Now, Sports Boom are reporting that Liverpool have set their sights on him.

The 27-year-old, a World Cup winner with one of the most distinguished defensive CVs in world football, signed a contract extension earlier this season that ties him to the club until 2029.

Diego Simeone has made no secret of his admiration.

The Atlético Madrid boss, who was supposedly priced out of a move for his compatriot last summer, has apparently instructed his board to find a way to make it happen.

However, Atlético are not operating in clear water.

Liverpool have identified Romero as a long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk and are understood to have placed him on their defensive shortlist.

Man United have also entered the conversation in recent days, so there is no shortage of suitors.

One significant catch remains, though.

Spurs have made clear they will refuse to sell Romero to a Premier League rival should they avoid relegation.

The picture changes dramatically if the unthinkable happens and they drop to the Championship — at which point, any pretence of controlling his destination largely evaporates.

Sports Boom back up other reports that Romero could leave regardless of the club's fate.

The captain, who has given his best in a Spurs shirt, has also proved to be a liability at times with his recklessness, but elite clubs are fully aware of the world-class quality Romero possesses on his very best day.

Tottenham apparently value the Argentine at around £87 million, but again, relegation would likely force the north Londoners to accept a reduced fee.

With seven games to decide their division, the clock is ticking on much more than just survival.