Football FanCast

It felt like a week of positivity for Tottenham Hotspur and for Igor Tudor, with the Lilywhites rescuing a creditable point away at Anfield, prior to sealing a first win under the Croatian against Atletico Madrid in midweek.

The north London side had delivered when the pressure was off on both of those occasions, having seemingly relished their underdog status.

Back as favourites for the visit of Nottingham Forest on Sunday, however, the hosts regressed back to square one again, with Tudor firmly under the microscope for his selection decisions.

Indeed, the 47-year-old had opted not to start Xavi Simons despite the Dutchman's dazzling display against Atleti, while then ripping up the plan too swiftly with a handful of changes at the break.

Such alterations appeared to be the hallmark of a manager losing the plot, with Spurs needing to act again swiftly if they are to save their season.

Latest on Spurs' manager search and Tudor future

The sad news of the passing of Tudor's father on Sunday has, understandably, quietened the frenzy regarding his future, with the Tottenham hierarchy unlikely to be in any immediate rush to make a decision, considering the international break is also now here.

Even so, there are believed to be discussions taking place regarding the removal of the former Juventus boss, with one win from his seven games in charge not exactly making for pretty reading.

With Spurs still only a point above the drop, the situation is getting desperate, ensuring the club will also be hamstrung somewhat when it comes to naming a potential replacement.

As reported this week, while free agent Roberto De Zerbi is interested in taking the job this summer, that is conditional on Spurs staying up, with the Italian not believed to be keen on making the switch mid-season.

With fellow frontrunner Mauricio Pochettino also likely to be a summer target, considering the Argentine will lead the United States into this summer's World Cup, the Lilywhites will have to look elsewhere for a short-term solution.

Former interim boss Tim Sherwood has thrown his hat into the ring, while the likes of Harry Redknapp and Glenn Hoddle have been mooted, although the Europa League winners could take a more realistic, albeit surprise path instead if they are to make a change.

Spurs could hire a better fit than De Zerbi this month

There may be a sense that De Zerbi's desire to join at the end of the season, rather than now, could prove a blessing in disguise, with the former Marseille boss having the tendency to add fuel to the fire.

Indeed, the combustible coach parted ways with the Ligue 1 side earlier this year after a turbulent time at the helm, memorably refusing to train his players at one stage following a defeat to Reims last season.

Having also previously exited Brighton and Hove Albion after a dispute with owner Tony Bloom regarding the club's transfer policy, De Zerbi is not the calm head that Spurs desperately need right now.

With that in mind, it could be time to call in another 'firefighter', albeit this time one who has actually managed in the Premier League previously, with Sean Dyche still out of work following his exit from Forest last month.

Reports earlier on in March suggested that Spurs had actually held talks regarding a tentative move for Dyche, with the Englishman previously steering Everton to safety, while routinely defying the odds during his decade-long stint at Burnley.

Even in his recent post at the City Ground, which ended in the sack, the 54-year-old creditably steadied the ship following Ange Postecoglou's brief, ill-fated tenure, with his dismissal having come as something of a surprise.

In 18 league games in charge in Nottingham, Dyche won six and drew four, collecting 22 points to suggest he may well have chartered a course to safety, had he not been shown the door so swiftly.

In any case, while his methods may not be glamorous, the one-time Watford boss has repeatedly shown that he can get results in the top-flight, having now racked up 350 games as a Premier League manager to date, favouring a 4-2-3-1 formation along the way.

Considering the likes of Hoddle, Redknapp and Sherwood have long been out of the game, and with De Zerbi having the ability to sink this team even further, Dyche might well represent the most logical, short-term fix for the remainder of the campaign.

Either way, after the debacle at N17 on Sunday, this Tudor experiment can last no longer - something has to change.

Tottenham are in the "final stages" of bringing in a replacement for Fabio Paratici, who left his role as managing director at the end of January.

Romero criticised after Tottenham rallying cry

Cristian Romero promised to put 200 per cent into Tottenham’s seven remaining “finals” in order to avoid a seismic Premier League exit, but some footage from the defeat against Nottingham Forest tells a very different story.

Spurs’ survival hopes took an almighty hit after they suffered a demoralising 3-0 loss at home to Forest on Sunday to drop to 17th in the table and increase the possibility of a first relegation since 1977.

Tottenham’s winless run in the Premier League stands at 13 matches and the pre-match optimism was swapped for a sense of inevitability after another abject defeat.

“It’s a difficult day for everyone, but the first thing is to speak about the fans. Thank you for today and always staying with us,” Romero said.

“They gave us fantastic support, but about us, it’s a bad day. Now it is finished and the most important thing is to understand the situation.”

Fans were left fuming after footage emerged online showing the Argentine sauntering back into position moments before the visitors scored their second goal.

The players are not the only ones under pressure of course, with rumours continuing to circulate regarding the future of manager Igor Tudor.

Reports on Tuesday claimed Spurs are set to part ways with Tudor to move for Roberto De Zerbi, who is out of work since leaving Marseille abruptly earlier this year.

Tottenham are also expected to appoint new faces in the boardroom after Paratici's departure, with pressure building on Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham as well, and it seems they are closing in on their first new face.

Tottenham "in final stages" of sporting director search

According to Matt Law and Jason Burt, writing for The Telegraph, Spurs are closing in on a new transfer chief, with Sebastian Kehl the frontrunner to take over.

"Spurs in final stages of sporting director hunt," Law said on social media. "Sources in Germany believe Sebastian Kehl is in the frame."

Kehl, a three-time Bundesliga winner as a player for Borussia Dortmund, has been the sporting director there since Michael Zorc left in 2022.

Set to leave the German club by mutual consent this month, the 46 year-old may be tasked with rebuilding a side decimated by relegation if Tudor - or indeed a replacement - cannot keep them up.

Tottenham have held internal discussions over appointing a former Aston Villa boss who publicly declared that he'll keep them in the Premier League, according to a new report.

Igor Tudor reportedly on the verge of Spurs sack

Sunday's 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest was as grim as it gets.

Spurs dominated the first half, hit the crossbar twice and created enough to be winning.

However, Igor Jesus then headed in on the stroke of half-time from a corner, Tudor shuffled his pack desperately at the break — sending on Lucas Bergvall and Destiny Udogie while removing Micky van de Ven — and within minutes Forest had taken control.

Morgan Gibbs-White made it two after the hour, Taiwo Awoniyi added a third near the end, and the boos that cascaded around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at full-time told the story in full.

Forest had done this to Spurs twice in the same season, and Tudor could not even face the press afterwards, absent due to the passing of his father Mario.

It was a shattering afternoon. And today, it appears to have finally ended his time at the club.

Reports this morning claim that Tudor is set to leave Tottenham, with both parties believed to be aligned on a parting of the ways, at least according to TEAMtalk.

It had been agreed internally beforehand that a defeat against Forest would pull the trigger, and CEO Vinai Venkatesham has since had the decisive final word.

Tudor, dealing with a profound personal loss, is also understood to be ready to step away.

It is the end of a dispiriting chapter — one win in seven games in all competitions, just a single Premier League point from five matches, 13 league games without a victory, their longest barren run in 91 years.

With seven games remaining and Spurs one point above the relegation zone, the club is scrambling to find someone who can arrest a slide that looks increasingly ominous.

Ryan Mason is among the many names to have been discussed internall, but the most vocal candidate making his case in public is a familiar face.

Tottenham internally discuss Tim Sherwood as Igor Tudor replacement

Tim Sherwood, who managed Tottenham for the second half of the 2013/14 season, came out swinging on Sky Sports earlier this week, offering himself up without the slightest hesitation.

"I will keep them in the Premier League," the 57-year-old declared on Monday.

"I believe that someone with common sense keeps them in the Premier League. They have the quality to be able to do it. You have to get them feeling good again, you have to get the confidence in the group."

He was also scathing about Tudor's decision to drop Xavi Simons against Forest — a player who had scored twice against Atletico in the Champions League just days earlier — and questioned why Randal Kolo Muani was left on the bench throughout.

Sherwood, who also managed Aston Villa for eight months in 2015, had already said before Tudor's appointment that taking the Spurs job again would be an "honour."

He is not the only former manager rattling the cage — Harry Redknapp has made no secret of his willingness either — but it is Sherwood who has most loudly and repeatedly argued his case, and TEAMtalk now say his name is genuinely being discussed internally as an option.

Sherwood could be considered a surprise option given he hasn't held a managerial role since leaving Villa over 10 years ago, and it would undoubtedly be a major gamble regardless of his ties to N17.

The longer-term picture is clearer.

Roberto De Zerbi and Mauricio Pochettino remain the frontrunners to take over permanently in the summer — but both are said to only consider the role if Spurs stay up.

That caveat is the whole problem.

With Sunderland away on April 12, they have three weeks to sort out who will try to manage it.

Whatever happens, one thing is certain: the Tudor experiment may be coming to an end.

Igor Tudor is set to leave Tottenham in the coming hours with the club already identifying their "top target" to replace the Croatian.

David Howells backs Tottenham to stay up

Former Tottenham midfielder David Howells believes his old team can stay in the Premier League .Spurs slipped towards a first relegation in 49 years after Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest left them 17th and only one point above the bottom three.

Howells was involved in Tottenham’s last two battles to stay in the top flight during the 1990s and, after key personnel stepped up on both occasions, the 58-year-old hopes history can repeat itself with players due to return in April.

“It was a tough (1993-94) season injury-wise and a struggle to pick up enough points to be safe, but a bit like maybe what is going to happen now, people did start to drift back,” Howells said.

“Teddy (Sheringham) was a massive player and Darren Anderton also, so to see them sitting with you again was important.

“That (1997-98 season) was more of the players getting together and saying, ‘Not this club, not with these players, it can’t happen’.

“It can only come from the players. We will scream our heads off in the stadium, but it has to come from them.

“To not have Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison in the changing room all season has been a massive reason for where we are, but I do think Tottenham have the characters to stay up.

“I don’t know if those two will play again this season, hopefully they do, but looking around the rest of the group, I think there is enough character, talent and hopefully belief to do it.”

If the Lilywhites are to stay up however, it seems it will not be with Tudor at the helm.

Spurs want to bring Roberto De Zerbi in immediately

Igor Tudor is set to leave Tottenham imminently, with Roberto De Zerbi "the top target" to replace the 47 year-old, reports Pete O'Rourke.

"Igor Tudor is set to leave Tottenham in the next 24/48 hours. Roberto De Zerbi is the top target to come in if he can be convinced to take the job now rather than at the end of the season."

The former Brighton boss has just left Marseille following their elimination from the Champions League group phase after a 3–0 away defeat to Club Brugge.

The Italian is said to be open to joining Spurs in the summer, but his willingness to join so suddenly after leaving the French club is unclear.

One thing is for sure, De Zerbi already has plenty of admirers in England, including Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who labelled him "one of the best coaches in the world".

Tottenham are holding discussions over whether to part ways with Igor Tudor during the international break, with an exciting appointment lined up.

Tottenham gifted 'perfect opportunity' to replace Tudor

Reports on Monday revealed Spurs are considering parting ways with Tudor this week to give a new manager the time to settle over the two-week break from domestic action.

The Lilywhites do not play again until April 12 due to the FA Cup games taking place immediately following the international break, and journalist Pete O'Rourke claims they see it as the 'perfect' chance to make a change.

“For Tudor right now, it’s game by game for him and Tottenham. The speculation over his future isn’t going to go away.

“Things didn’t go well for Tudor and Tottenham on Sunday, so that pressure will just ramp up even more.

“Obviously now you have an international break, it would be the perfect opportunity and give time for Spurs to make a change if they wanted."

Tudor was unable to fulfil his media commitments after Spurs’ damaging 3-0 Premier League home defeat to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest due to the death of his father.

A statement by Tottenham on Monday read: “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 club next returns to action when they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, a fixture that likely just became a whole lot more difficult after the The Black Cats win at Newcastle over the weekend, which will have them full of confidence and playing without pressure of relegation.

Tottenham eyeing Adi Hütter to replace Igor Tudor

According to a report from Give Me Sport, Spurs chiefs are holding internal discussions over whether to part ways with Tudor immediately, rather than wait until the summer.

There is a feeling they either need to sack the Croatian or throw their support behind him, and talks have taken place inside N17 about appointing Adi Hütter, who is out of work since leaving Monaco last year.

The Austrian coach is known for a more expansive style than the one fans have become accustomed to under Thomas Frank and Tudor, admitting in an interview in 2024 that he prefers his football to be "fun".

“I like an exciting 5-2 more than a boring 1-0. Football is also a show. I prefer inspiring football.”

His players have certainly appreciated that throughout his career, with former Premier League defender Mohammed Salisu calling the 56 year-old "one of the best coaches I have worked under" and praising his "high pressing" style.

Give Me Sport's report claims Chris Hughton, Ryan Mason, Robbie Keane, and Sean Dyche are also under consideration.

Tottenham Hotspur finished 17th in the Premier League last season, and with the final stretch of the current campaign ahead of us, find themselves stuck in that same spot under interim manager Igor Tudor.

This time, though, the stakes are a lot higher, and the Londoners are not competing for European silverware - or any silverware, for that matter.

And this time, Tottenham are embroiled in a bona fide relegation battle, with Sunday's loss against Nottingham Forest heightening the fear that they will fall into the second tier.

This cannot happen. There is enough quality to fight off the rot. However, whether ENIC Group stick or twist with Tudor remains to be seen.

The latest on Spurs' search for a manager

If Tottenham do decide to back their interim manager until the end of the season, it's almost a certainty that he will be thanked and waved off ahead of the summer transfer window.

There's a sense that the onus is now on the players to rise to the occasion, and it's crucial that they do, not just to preserve Tottenham's Premier League status but also to ensure that cogs fall into place for a successful new chapter at the club.

After all, there appears to be an elite manager who's interested in taking on the job.

According to The Telegraph's Matt Law, talks have been held with Roberto De Zerbi, who has confirmed that he would be interested in taking the Spurs job this summer.

That's conditional on Tottenham staying in the top flight, though, and while he's unemployed, the Italian doesn't appear keen on moving to N17 ahead of the final phase of this fraught campaign.

Manchester United are also firmly in the mix, so this is going to be a difficult one to navigate.

Why De Zerbi could be perfect for Spurs

In the 46-year-old De Zerbi, Tottenham would be getting a somewhat controversial manager, but maybe a big personality such as his could be what the side need to put things to rights.

It didn't go to plan for Mourinho at Tottenham, but the legendary manager is among a number of top coaches who have fallen by the wayside in the Tottenham dugout.

Bringing in De Zerbi would mark a shift to a young and enterprising new gaffer, but it would also see a larger-than-life personality step in to whip these beleaguered players into shape.

He has a wealth of Premier League experience with Brighton & Hove Albion and a front-footed, unique style of football to help rekindle the culture and ethos in north London

De Zerbi knows the Premier League, of course, and he has established himself as "one of the best managers in the world" over the past few years, as was noted by his players at Marseille.

At Brighton, Adam Lallana said he was "blown away" by De Zerbi's tactical brain, and while he's something of a contentious character at times, De Zerbi is a coach who players want to follow into the trenches.

In that, his likeness with Mourinho only deepens, though perhaps he would enjoy a different effect at Tottenham than the Portuguese, who was sacked unceremoniously by Daniel Levy.

There's no question that Tottenham have been derailed by injuries over the past few years, but even the most compelling argument would do little to earn the forgiveness of the fanbase, should they be relegated this season.

Perhaps the fact that De Zerbi is interested in taking on the job even against the backdrop of such internal strife makes it all the more frustrating.

A top manager such as the Italian recognises the potential of this outfit, though he understandably would have reservations about taking the reins if they did tumble into the second tier.

It is crucial that relegation from the Premier League is avoided.

Tottenham Hotspur are in a bad way, with Sunday's chastening home defeat to Nottingham Forest sure to have resigned even the most optimistic supporters to the fact that Spurs are in grave danger of being relegated from the Premier League.

Supporters are desperate to see a little fight from Igor Tudor's side, but the players are out on their feet, stripped of the quality that still exists within them (somewhere).

It's concerning that elements of Tottenham's performance against relegation rivals Forest marked an upturn on previous efforts, and yet they still lost 3-0 to a team who started the day behind them. Only West Ham United's defeat at Aston Villa has kept Spurs above the relegation zone.

You could pick any one of the Lilywhites and write a hit piece on them, but Pedro Porro's decline this season has been bleak to see, with the Spanish right-back one of the most talented footballers in north London.

Pedro Porro's decline at Spurs

Whether Tottenham decide to stick or twist with interim manager Tudor remains to be seen, but there's a sense now that the onus is on the players in rekindling some confidence and conviction in their performances.

Someone like Porro, who has established himself as one of the most creative and dynamic full-backs in Europe since joining Tottenham from Sporting Lisbon, have gone beyond just poor performance, regressing to something that should be beneath his technical floorboards.

Against Forest, the 26-year-old failed to produce any real quality from the right flank, losing possession 20 times.

Porro certainly cares. He has cut a dejected figure throughout the campaign, personal pride at stake and indeed the future of one of the biggest Premier League clubs out there.

But Porro isn't matching his intensity with actual quality on the field, and there's a case to be made that his error-strewn performances have left enough to be desired that he should be dropped for the closing weeks of the campaign, with Djed Spence arguably more dynamic and balanced.

He's not the only one flattering to deceive. Guglielmo Vicario is arguably at the very epicentre of the turmoil, unconvincing and uncertain between the sticks. However, he played through pain at the weekend before hernia surgery this week.

All this said, these players have their value, and there's another high-profile Tottenham star who may need to be dropped

Spurs flop cannot start again this season

There was no shortage of poor performances as Tottenham lost to Nottingham Forest, but it's quite impressive that Destiny Udogie managed to out fall flatter than his teammates across his second-half cameo.

The left-back played for the first time since the start of February after his latest injury setback, and it sadly showed, with errors practically leaking from his game and unable to play with any semblance of fluency.

The 23-year-old only played one half of football, but there's no denying that Tottenham's signs of first-half fluidity evaporated when he replaced Micky van de Ven.

In fact, Udogie lost six duels, committed two fouls and failed with one lunging tackle, having a torrid time against Omari Hutchinson and Ola Aina.

After Udogie arrived in Tottenham at the start of the Ange Postecoglou era, joining from Udinese in Serie A for a £15m fee, he carried a weight of expectation. But it's all come toppling down, and his weak efforts throughout the term put him in an even worse position than the likes of Porro and Vicario.

Earlier this month, it was reported by Italian sources that Juventus are planning to raid Tottenham for their Italian defender this summer, and regardless of how the Londoners finish their campaign, it's looking more and more likely that Udogie will leave and wipe the slate clean.

There is a top player in there, but whether Udogie will recover that level at Tottenham is another question. In fact, the chances of him returning to form over the next two months are rather slim, and for that reason, he cannot be allowed back into the starting line-up.

Unless something dramatic happens, it's likely that we've seen the last of a free-flowing, rip-roaring Udogie in a Tottenham shirt.

After watching on as Tottenham Hotspur were dismantled by relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, one manager has insisted that he would keep the club in the Premier League.

Mistakes going against Spurs, says Saltor

A draw at Anfield followed by Igor Tudor's first victory in charge over Atletico Madrid, albeit as Spurs crashed out of the Champions League, flipped the script in North London.

Suddenly, there was hope. There was a collective front that relegation concerns would be put to bed, starting with the Nottingham Forest game.

The fans did their part. They gave their side a heroe's welcome, despite recent struggles. From leaving early against Crystal Palace, supporters came in their numbers to hand Spurs the 12th man that they had been desperate for. The ball was then in the players' court. And to say they did not deliver would be an understatement.

On their end, not much changed. Any progress made in the last week quickly evaporated when Igor Jesus opened the scoring, before Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awoniyi sealed a 3-0 thumping for the visitors.

A fire that looked likely to become extinguished has arguably grown bigger than ever. The Lilywhites, with seven games left to play, sit just one point above the dropzone.

In place of Tudor following the passing of his father, Tottenham coach Bruno Saltor told reporters: "Every mistake right now is going against us, every detail is going against us and it affects the players as well.

"You can see how much they are fighting. We are in a difficult situation, everyone knows. In the first half we were the better team and need to be consistent with that."

Questions have also re-emerged about Tudor's future and one manager is ready to replace the Croatian, claiming that he would keep Spurs in the Premier League.

Sherwood insists he would keep Spurs in the Premier League

Speaking on Sky Sports, Tim Sherwood claimed that he would keep Spurs in the Premier League and that he would simply use "common sense" to do so.

Sherwood, who took charge of 28 games at the club in the 2013/14 season, last stepped into the technical area in 2015 when he was sacked by Aston Villa, before the club eventually suffered relegation in the same campaign.

"I don't think it's too late. I will keep them in the Premier League. I believe that someone with common sense keeps them in the Premier League. They have the quality to be able to do it. You have to get them feeling good again, you have to get the confidence in the group."

With seven games left to play, Spurs will have natural hesitation when it comes to Sherwood's message.

The last thing they should do is hand the reins to a manager whose last Premier League job was over 10 years ago and someone who has never enjoyed a successful survival fight. In their mind, that may well be common sense.

Tottenham Hotspur's actions off the pitch far from matched their work on the pitch on Sunday, with footage emerging which has exposed one player's mentality for all to see.

Jamie Carragher urges Tottenham to "part ways" with Tudor

The build-up to the Nottingham Forest game was all about togetherness. The battle against Premier League relegation would be done as a collective, starting with the supporters. And they certainly did their part. They handed the team bus an emphatic welcome - there could be no complaints about a toxic atmosphere.

They had listened to Cristian Romero's rallying cry and then some after the South American urged fans to stay together. But that rallying cry quickly proved to be nothing more than a performative plea rather than a real message of intent.

Igor Jesus' goal soon arrived, as did Morgan Gibbs-White's and Taiwo Awoniyi's. Like Crystal Palace and so many other games in North London this season, Spurs had been battered in front of their fans.

Any feeling that there could be a turnaround has quickly evaporated and Spurs now sit just one point above the relegation zone with seven games left to play. Their situation is a matter of urgency.

Questions have, therefore, arrived about Igor Tudor's future, including from Jamie Carragher.

The former Liverpool centre-back told Sky Sports on Sunday: "Unfortunately for him with the situation he finds himself in with his family and the results, I think it would be better if Tottenham parted ways with Tudor and looked to bring in another manager in between now and the end of the season."

New footage suggests that the blame isn't just on the Croatian, however. One Spurs player failed to back up his own words against Nottingham Forest.

Romero went against his own words against Nottingham Forest

Directly after the defeat, Romero told reporters that he would give "200 per cent" to keep Tottenham afloat in the Premier League. This came just 90 minutes after his initial rallying cry, donning the captain's armband. Despite the results, he claimed, effort wouldn't be questioned.

The footage tells a different story, however. Actions speak louder than words and Romero was seen trudging back into position for Gibbs-White's goal rather than giving even 100 per cent of his effort, let alone double that.

Had he followed his own words, then the Argentine defender may have prevented Forest's second of the afternoon.

It was an awful moment from the Spurs captain, who isn't the only player to look checked out of life in North London as of late. Whether a new manager can change that is the big question.

Whoever arrives at this stage must be a survival specialist rather than those who prioritise style. Spurs can ill-afford to get it as wrong as they have done with Tudor now that there is just one point between themselves and the bottom three.

Life does not get much worse if you are a Tottenham Hotspur fan right now.

While Spurs salvaged an ounce of pride by defeating Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their last 16 Champions League tie, they came crashing back down to earth on Sunday afternoon.

Their clash with Nottingham Forest was one of huge significance. It had even more importance than their two-legged tie with Atletico.

Defeat Vitor Pereira's team and they would be well on track to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Lose and they would be sucked even further into the quagmire. They didn't just lose, but they lost handsomely, losing 3-0 and being put to the sword by none other than Morgan Gibbs-White.

Like Eberchi Eze, the attacking midfielder nearly signed for the Lilywhites last summer and he came back to haunt them on this occasion, scoring the second goal of the game.

For the decision makers at Spurs, they must now decide whether to stick or twist with Igor Tudor.

Who could replace Igor Tudor at Tottenham

The main name on everybody's lips at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium right now is Mauricio Pochettino. Every fan is dreaming of his return but if he is to come back to north London, they will have to wait until the summer.

The Argentine is currently in charge of the USA and is set to lead them out at their home World Cup this summer. He will not be released from his duties until that campaign is done and dusted.

As a result, a number of interim managers have been earmarked. While extremely unlikely, both Harry Redknapp and Tim Sherwood have admitted they would love the job, while more plausible solutions could be found in the shape of Ryan Mason or Robbie Keane.

Elsewhere, a new name has emerged. According to reports from the Telegraph, former Monaco boss Adi Hutter is now a 'serious candidate' to take over from Tudor after their latest defeat to Forest.

Previous reports last week suggested that they had already held talks with Hutter over becoming the new boss in the summer. Now, however, they could fast-track their interest and bring him to England immediately.

The Austrian has been out of work since being sacked by Monaco earlier this season so there would be no need to pay any compensation, something that would no doubt please the hierarchy at Spurs.

Why Hutter would be a good appointment

Who is Hutter, we hear you ask. Well, aged 56, he is yet to manage one of the established big boys of European football like Tudor had at Juventus, but he's got experience of coaching a club with similar ambitions to Spurs; desires of getting into Europe and one day competing for major honours.

Indeed, after a one-year stint with Red Bull Salzburg in 2014/15, winning the league and the Austrian cup, he headed to Young Boys in Switzerland, where he enjoyed three years and won the league once again. From there, he headed to Germany, where he coached Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Monchengladbach.

While he was sacked from his most recent post at Monaco, the work Hutter performed in the Bundesliga has to be admired, most notably at Frankfurt.

He won the German top-flight's manager of the season in 2018/19 and in 2020/21, finishing seventh and fifth respectively in those campaigns.

So, what's he all about? Well, it could be argued that Hutter is a bit like Antonio Conte. Indeed, the Bundesliga's offical website wrote in 2021 that he 'took a leaf out of Italian tactician Antonio Conte’s playbook on German soil' by implementing a three-man backline.

While he favoured a high-tempo 4-4-2 at Salzburg, in Germany, he demonstrated tactical flexibility that certainly wasn't apparent during the Thomas Frank regime at Spurs. Interestingly, he deployed right and left footers on their respective flanks rather than having inverted wingers.

While he has not always deployed the same tactics since, at Monaco he regularly switched between a three-man and four-man defensive line, showing great adaptability depending on the fixture.

That's something that Tudor has tried to explore during his time at Spurs but so far it's gone disastrously. However, in Hutter, there is a very realistic chance he gets Tottenham firing again, combining Conte's tactics with something out of Ange Postecoglou's playbook.

Indeed, while Spurs could operate with three defenders, they would also be expected to play in an energetic and fast-paced manner with high pressing, a staple of Hutter's philosophy in Germany, and indeed at Monaco.

That certainly ticks a lot of boxes that the hierarchy at Tottenham would be looking for. They want good football but they also want the tactical flexibility for the manager and team to be able to pivot. If you cannot do that in the Premier League, you simply sink. Ruben Amorim is the prime example of that.