Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly giving consideration to appointing Roberto De Zerbi as a successor to Igor Tudor as head coach.

While the North Londoners only appointed the Croatian on a deal until the end of the season last month, it has become apparent that he is far from safe in the dugout after a disastrous start to life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Following defeats to Arsenal and Fulham, the 3-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace on Thursday has led to suggestions that the 47-year-old could be removed from his position if the club's poor form continues against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Tudor has insisted that he saw enough improvement in the performance against Palace to indicate that a corner can be turned.

However, as per The Telegraph, Spurs officials are already weighing up whether to make an immediate change.

De Zerbi back on Spurs radar

The report alleges that discussions have already been held with De Zerbi, who has previously been on the club's radar.

De Zerbi recently departed his role at Marseille after a stint where he recorded 39 wins and 20 defeats from 69 matches in charge.

Talks are said to have been specifically held regarding an arrival in North London during the summer, presumably if Spurs avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Nevertheless, there appears to be the possibility of De Zerbi being drafted into the role within days, rather than months, if nothing improves under Tudor.

Despite his only notable silverware won during his managerial career being a Ukrainian Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk, De Zerbi has credit in the bank from his two-year stint at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Do Spurs have an easy decision to make?

The main reason why Tudor was appointed as Spurs boss was his track record when it comes to making immediate short-term impacts at clubs who required it.

However, from the outside at least, it seems like Spurs are performing worse. When their short-term schedule reads Liverpool away sandwiched between two Atletico Madrid fixtures, it is far from ideal.

While Tudor will likely be given the first leg against Atletico in Spain, it is plausible that Spurs make another managerial change if they suffer defeat to the La Liga giants.

That said, there would also be question marks over whether De Zerbi would want to come into a role at Spurs at this stage of the season.

Glenn Hoddle has publicly offered his services to help rescue Tottenham Hotspur from the threat of the Championship.

Spurs' descent into a historic competitive crisis has reached a fever pitch following a devastating 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Thursday night, leaving the capital club 16th in the Premier League table.

The loss to Palace marked a third consecutive defeat for interim head coach Igor Tudor, who has struggled to find a tactical foothold since arriving in North London just three games ago.

With the Lilywhites now one point above the Premier League relegation zone and winless in 11 league matches, the atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has become increasingly desperate.

Hoddle offers to help Spurs avoid Premier League relegation

Speaking on the Could It Be Magic podcast via The Daily Mail, the 68-year-old expressed a deep desire to return to the dugout at a club he has supported since childhood.

"I think it would actually," he said when asked if returning to management was of interest. "Particularly with Tottenham, as that's my club. I've supported them since I was eight years of age. So they were a massive part of my life."

The former England boss suggested that his experience could be the vital ingredient needed to steady a dressing room that appears devoid of confidence as the pressure of a relegation dogfight intensifies.

When he was told that former Spurs forward Robbie Keane, now managing Hungarian side Ferencvaros, has emerged as a contender for the role, Hoddle suggested a partnership with the Irishman.

"Robbie is doing great as a young manager, but to have someone experienced like myself... that would be a good formula in many ways," stated the ex-Spurs boss.

"I think that's a shrewd move, whether it was me or somebody experienced with him, because the question would be, is Rob ready to go into that sort of job now?"

PL survival: How bad is the situation at Spurs?

While it has been suggested that the Lilywhites are 'too good to go down', alarm bells will be ringing in North London.

The injury-ravaged side could slip into the bottom three after the next round of matches if they lose to Liverpool on March 15 and results elsewhere go against them.

Eighteenth-placed West Ham United and Nottingham Forest, a place above the Hammers, are one point behind the North Londoners, highlighting the precarious situation at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Picking up just four points from a possible 33 in 2026 does them no favours, as they sit at the bottom of the calendar year table in the competition.

If that continues, then their 34-year stay in the top flight may well be over.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering Robbie Keane as a summer appointment as they look to navigate the most precarious period in the club's modern history.

The Lilywhites are currently embroiled in a desperate battle for Premier League survival following an unprecedented winless run that has left them just one point above the relegation zone.

Interim head coach Igor Tudor is not expected to be retained in a permanent capacity once the 2025-26 campaign concludes, regardless of whether the club maintains its top-flight status.

While the board are believed to have identified several high-profile targets to lead a potential rebuild, the growing uncertainty surrounding their divisional status has complicated their recruitment strategy.

Spurs identify 'dark horse' candidate to replace Igor Tudor

© Imago

As reported by GIVEMESPORT, former Spurs striker Keane has emerged as a potential candidate to take the managerial reins this summer.

The 45-year-old is currently in charge of Hungarian giants Ferencvaros, where he has maintained an impressive 61% win rate and secured a domestic league title.

While Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi remain the primary targets for the hierarchy, Keane is viewed as a serious alternative should the club fail to land their preferred choices.

It is understood that the Republic of Ireland legend would be a strong contender for the role if the club were to suffer a shock relegation to the Championship.

The report suggests that Keane's standing among the supporters and intimate knowledge of the club's internal culture are seen as significant assets as Spurs prepare for a summer of significant transition.

Spurs managerial search: Pochettino and De Zerbi remains top priorities

© Imago / ZUMA Press Wire

While Pochettino is reportedly not entirely deterred by the prospect of managing in the second tier following his stint with the USA national team, his substantial salary requirements could prove a major hurdle.

Similarly, De Zerbi is expected to have numerous suitors from the top end of the Premier League and across Europe, potentially making a move to North London a difficult sell if top-flight football is not guaranteed.

Keane’s emergence as a potential appointment comes at a time when he is also attracting interest from Crystal Palace, who are seeking a successor to Oliver Glasner.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prepared to move for a new manager if they fail to beat Crystal Palace on Thursday night.

Spurs have been under the leadership of 47-year-old Igor Tudor for the past two matches on a deal until the end of the season.

However, the Croatian has struggled to get a tune out of the squad to date, losing back-to-back London derbies.

Tudor's troops first fell to a 4-1 scoreline at the hands of arch rivals Arsenal before suffering defeat at Fulham last time out,

Tottenham will be looking to end their 10-game winless streak in the Premier League when they host Palace on Thursday.

Tottenham looking at Tudor alternatives?

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham are considering a change in the dugout ahead of the remainder of the campaign.

The report claims that there are serious concerns over Tudor's start to life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It is believed that the 47-year-old has not had the desired impact on a confidence-drained first-team squad.

It is understood that Tudor could be relieved of his North London duties should they fail to beat Crystal Palace on Thursday.

Spurs supposedly have a number of managerial alternative options in mind ahead of a potential switch.

Tottenham's relegation battle

Following positive results for both West Ham United and Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night, Tottenham have been thrown deep into relegation trouble.

Tudor's side are currently just a single point and two positions above the dreaded drop with 10 games left to play.

Spurs' only two wins of the current calendar year have arrived against Bundesliga duo Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Facing the last team they managed to get one over in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur welcome Crystal Palace to North London for Thursday's derby.

The Lilywhites have failed to win any of their last 10 top-flight matches since December's 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.

TOTTENHAM vs. CRYSTAL PALACE

TOTTENHAM

Out: Destiny Udogie (thigh), Lucas Bergvall (ankle), Ben Davies (ankle), Mohammed Kudus (thigh), Rodrigo Bentancur (thigh), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), James Maddison (knee), Wilson Odobert (knee), Cristian Romero (suspended)

Doubtful: Djed Spence (calf)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Vicario; Danso, Van de Ven, Dragusin; Porro, Sarr, Palhinha, Gray; Simons; Tel, Richarlison

CRYSTAL PALACE

Out: Maxence Lacroix (suspended), Cheick Doucoure (knee), Eddie Nketiah (thigh), Jean-Philippe Mateta (knee), Jefferson Lerma (thigh)

Doubtful: Jorgen Strand Larsen (unspecified)

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly planning to sign a new goalkeeper in the summer transfer window, with Lens shot-stopper Robin Risser emerging as a serious candidate.

The 2025–26 campaign initially promised much for Spurs under Thomas Frank, but it quickly turned into a difficult season and eventually descended into a nightmare.

The north London club currently sit 16th in the Premier League table with 29 points from 28 matches, and missing out on European football next season could have significant financial ramifications.

While they still have the Champions League to focus on, the instability surrounding the club following a managerial change has left Spurs struggling for consistency.

With the squad requiring fresh investment, Spurs could look to recruit relatively unproven but highly-talented young players at reasonable prices as part of a renewed transfer strategy.

Spurs seriously interested in signing Robin Risser?

According to a report from CaughtOffside, Spurs are closely monitoring Risser, who has impressed significantly this season in Ligue 1.

Tottenham are reportedly targeting goalkeepers who are comfortable distributing from the back and capable of contributing during the build-up phase, and the 21-year-old fits that profile perfectly.

The young goalkeeper has earned widespread praise for his shot-stopping ability, while his composure with the ball at his feet has also caught the attention of scouts.

Risser joined Lens from Strasbourg for a modest fee of €3m (£2.6m) and remains under contract until 2030, placing the French club in a strong negotiating position should offers arrive.

Replacement for Guglielmo Vicario?

The report claims there is uncertainty surrounding Guglielmo Vicario’s long-term future at the club, and as a result, Spurs are searching for a potential long-term replacement.

One disappointing aspect of the season has been the limited involvement of backup goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, whose lack of opportunities could send the wrong message to young keepers hoping to compete for the starting role.

Tottenham could reportedly face competition from Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United for Risser’s signature, while his €10 million (£8.7m) market valuation makes him an attractive target for the summer transfer window.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence will miss Thursday's Premier League London derby with Crystal Palace due to injury, but Igor Tudor is counting on the full-back to return for Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

The former Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough man was ruled out of Sunday's 2-1 loss to Fulham before kickoff, and it was reported that he had sustained a fresh calf injury.

Spence's problem was described as a 'very minor' one, but the 25-year-old had already missed matches against Manchester City and Manchester United in February with a similar issue.

Speaking to reporters in Wednesday's pre-game press conference, Tudor ruled Spence out of the visit of the Eagles this week but expressed hope that he would be fit to face Atletico next week.

"Djed Spence is out," football.london quotes Tudor as saying. "Kevin [Danso] came back in the last game. We hope [Spence will return] for the Champions League game."

Tottenham's three Djed Spence replacements for Crystal Palace clash assessed

Spence is just one of 10 Spurs players on the sidelines for Thursday's fixture, alongside fellow full-backs Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie, the latter of whom is expected to spend another couple of weeks out of action with a hamstring issue.

The ever-versatile Archie Gray filled in on the left-hand side of the backline against Fulham, but Tudor possesses two players who are arguably better fits for the role than the former Leeds United youngster.

The Europa League winners brought 19-year-old Souza to the club from Santos earlier this year, and the teenager did not look at all out of place when making his debut against Man United at Old Trafford.

Tudor hinted that the South American could soon get his chance from the first whistle, adding: "He was good, I saw something in him. He is there and waiting for his moment to play."

Alternatively, with Danso back in the fold, Tudor could pair the Austrian up with Radu Dragusin in defence and deploy Micky van de Ven at left-back; the 24-year-old frequently plays out wide for the Netherlands national team.

Van de Ven's blistering pace and attacking prowess makes him a standout candidate for the left-back position, but while there is uncertainty over whether Tudor will go with a back three or back four, it is difficult to envisage the Dutchman being deployed out wide.

Could Igor Tudor leave Tottenham if Crystal Palace win?

Tudor was never expected to stick around for the long-term in North London, but there have already been murmurings of a premature exit as early as this week if Spurs lose on Thursday.

The former Juventus and Marseille manager did not hold his tongue when conducting his post-match media duties at Craven Cottage, claiming that Tottenham are lacking in all areas and labelling the situation "amazing".

A draw or defeat on Thursday would see Tottenham set a new unwanted record for their longest-ever Premier League winless run (11 games), and there have been few signs of progress since Tudor took the reins.

However, another managerial departure would put Tottenham right back at square one, and there would be no logic to parting ways so early - unless the Croatian himself finds the situation untenable and decides to walk.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to host Crystal Palace on Thursday evening, with Igor Tudor's side looking to pick up their first league victory of 2026.

The hosts currently sit 16th in the Premier League table and are just four points above the relegation zone, while the visitors are 14th.

Here, Sports Mole details all the information you need to know about how to follow the match.

What time does Tottenham Hotspur vs. Crystal Palace kick off?

The match will kick off at 8:00pm on Thursday evening in the UK.

Where is Tottenham Hotspur vs. Crystal Palace being played?

The match is being played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which is one of the biggest grounds in the Premier League with a capacity of around 62,850.

Tottenham have the joint-worst home record this season, having only picked up two league wins, and Crystal Palace won 2-0 the last time these two sides met at this stadium.

How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs. Crystal Palace in the UK

TV channels

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Crystal Palace will be shown on TNT Sports 1 for viewers in the UK.

Online streaming

There will also be the option to stream the match live in the UK via discovery+, with a subscription costing £30.99 per month.

Highlights

Highlights will be available to watch on the TNT Sports YouTube channel and the official channels of both clubs.

TNT Sports will also post clips of key moments on their social media channels while the game is being played.

What is at stake for Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace?

Tottenham are embroiled in a relegation dogfight and will be looking to pick up their first win under new boss Igor Tudor, who replaced Thomas Frank last month.

Spurs have lost their last four league games and Tudor gave a damning assessment of his side after their 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Sunday, admitting they have "big problems".

Tottenham have now gone ten Premier League games without a victory, equalling their longest winless streak in the competition, but they will be buoyed by the fact they did beat Palace in the reverse fixture in December.

Oliver Glanser's side, meanwhile, did look at risk of being dragged into the relegation battle after enduring a nine-game winless run between December and February.

However, they have won two of their last four league games and now sit ten points clear of the bottom three.

Palace also have a strong record away from home against other London clubs, having suffered just one defeat in their last nine meetings.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven is reported to be on the radar of Barcelona in the summer.

The Londoners must take three points on Thursday against Crystal Palace if they are to stave off the threat of relegation from the Premier League.

Interim boss Igor Tudor's side are in 16th place with just 29 points, two more than 17th-placed Nottingham Forest and four more than 18th-placed West Ham United.

With the team now battling the drop for a second consecutive season, it is hard to see Tottenham's key players being pleased with the direction of the club.

Diario Sport claim that defender Van De Ven is a target for Catalan side Barcelona, though they also have Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni listed as an option.

Why relegation could lead to transfer disaster for Spurs

Recent reports have suggested that demotion would automatically trigger significant wage reductions for the players in Tottenham's squad.

The team's stars would have been unlikely to be persuaded to stay and compete in the Championship anyway, but the threat of wage reductions could lead to a mass exodus.

Spurs' sponsors may also look at their agreements with the club should the Londoners suffer relegation, and that could impact the team's ability to spend adequately in the summer.

The turmoil of significant exits and the loss of revenue would make Tottenham's promotion charge far more challenging, and failure to bounce back into the Premier League could be disastrous.

Should Tottenham consider selling Van de Ven even if they survive?

Though there is no doubt that Van de Ven can be an incredibly effective channel defender given he is arguably the fastest centre-back in the league, he has often made clumsy errors when isolated against opposition forwards.

The Dutchman is also injury prone - he only started 12 top-flight games last season - and his absences have been made worse by the fact fellow centre-back Cristian Romero has often suffered setbacks too.

Selling at least one of their two central defenders should be considered, even if Tottenham manage to secure Premier League survival.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Conor Gallagher could be the Lilywhites' secret weapon when they host Crystal Palace in Thursday's Premier League London derby.

The one-time Eagles loanee has largely struggled to make the desired impact since his £40m January arrival from Atletico Madrid, which also made him the highest-paid player in the current Tottenham squad.

Gallagher has provided one assist in seven appearances for Spurs across all competitions, but he only lasted 58 minutes in Sunday's 2-1 loss to Fulham and 62 minutes in the 4-1 North London derby drubbing at the hands of Arsenal.

The England international has nevertheless retained the faith of Igor Tudor - whose high-energy system would ostensibly suit Gallagher's playstyle - but it remains to be seen if he makes the first XI against Palace.

Pape Sarr is a worthy candidate to come into the engine room, but Gallagher has a particularly pleasing personal record on his side when it comes to Thursday's all-capital clash.

Why Conor Gallagher could be Tottenham's secret weapon against Crystal Palace

The former Chelsea lynchpin has scored four Premier League goals against Crystal Palace during his career, his highest total against a single opponent in the competition.

Gallagher netted his first goal against Palace while on loan at West Bromwich Albion during the 2020-21 season, scoring the Baggies' consolation strike in a 5-1 defeat to the West London club.

Following his successful 2021-22 loan spell and return to Stamford Bridge for the 2022-23 season, Gallagher also scored a 90th-minute winner for Chelsea in a 2-1 Selhurst Park victory that year.

The 26-year-old then struck a brace at the same venue during a 3-1 victory in February 2024, and his four goals against Palace is his highest total against a single club regardless of competition.

The two changes Igor Tudor should make for Tottenham vs. Crystal Palace

Gallagher certainly has a case to start Thursday's London derby given his standout record against Crystal Palace, but Tudor should not shy away from making a couple of alterations elsewhere on the pitch.

Randal Kolo Muani did not cut the mustard against Fulham after scoring in the North London derby, while Dominic Solanke also struggled to make his presence felt in the final third.

However, Richarlison came off the bench to score his eighth Premier League goal of the season at Craven Cottage - at least double that of any other Spurs player - while Mathys Tel shone during his cameo too.

Whether Tudor goes for a 3-4-1-2, 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2 shape, Richarlison and Tel have earned the right to work in tandem up front, but whether they will is another question entirely.