Six managers Tottenham Hotspur could turn to if Igor Tudor leaves this week

Heading into the international break, Tottenham find themselves at a crossroads with Igor Tudor’s spell in charge leaving many questioning the club’s direction at such a crucial stage of the season.

The priority for the next appointment is to keep Spurs in the Premier league. If Tudor is to leave during the international break, his appointment needs to stabilise results and get points on the board.

Several names have been linked with the job, some experienced at delivering results in the Premier League, and others having strong connections to the club, which could be the solution to getting the best out of an underperforming side and winning back fans.

This article looks at six realistic candidates who could step in and help Tottenham avoid relegation from the Premier League for the first time in its history.

Tottenham want Roberto De Zerbi as big-name hire

Reports suggest that Roberto De Zerbi is on Tottenham’s radar as a potential long-term solution. He has earned a reputation for progressive, possession-based football and proved with Brighton in the Premier League that he can elevate teams beyond expectations.

His work at Brighton demonstrated his ability to transform an ordinary side into a high-scoring team, with players performing above their level, which is something Spurs desperately need right now.

However, taking over at Tottenham would be different to Brighton. He would not be building a project immediately, with the imminent threat of relegation looming large.

This raises the question whether De Zerbi is the right manager for a relegation battle, or if he is someone the club should hold out for until the summer. Until then, Tottenham may need someone more pragmatic to steady the ship.

Tim Sherwood clearly wants a chance at Tottenham

Tim Sherwood has both a deep connection to Tottenham and experience of delivering results in the Premier League. Taking charge of Spurs in the 2013/14 season, he averaged around 1.65 points per game.

Sherwood holds the highest Premier League win percentage of any Tottenham manager, winning 13 of his 22 league games. That kind of return is exactly what Spurs could need in a relegation fight. Sherwood has repeatedly put his name forward, insisting he would save the club from the drop.

However, his subsequent spell at Aston Villa saw him lose 10 of the opening 11 Premier League games in the 2015/16 season. Sherwood was dismissed in October, and the club would go on to be relegated that season.

The key question is whether the short-term impact from Sherwood’s first stint at Spurs can be repeated. He knows the club and can pick up points quickly, but his collapse at Aston Villa, combined with the fact he hasn’t managed since, underlines the risk.

Adi Hutter has no Premier League experience

Adi Hutter represents a more unconventional option, but has been linked with the Spurs job. He has a track record of delivering results across Europe. He impressed in a spell at Eintracht Frankfurt, where he led them to a top-four Bundesliga finish and Champions League qualification.

His ability to compete above expectations could appeal to Spurs, while also representing a more long-term appointment, looking beyond the present relegation battle.

However, Hutter has no Premier League experience and would be stepping into a relegation battle with little time to adapt. As Igor Tudor has already shown, that lack of experience in the Premier League represents a huge risk at a critical moment for the club.

The question for Tottenham is whether they can afford that adjustment period at this stage, or if the situation demands a safer, more immediate fix.

Chris Hughton is a familiar interim for Tottenham

Like Sherwood, Chris Hughton represents another familiar option for Tottenham. The former player and caretaker manager has Premier League experience and is known for keeping teams competitive at the bottom end of the table.

At Norwich City in the 2012/13 season, he guided the club, who were expected to struggle, to an 11th-place finish in his first full Premier League season. He later led Brighton and Hove Albion to promotion to the Premier League and kept them up for two consecutive seasons.

Hughton’s track record could appeal to Spurs given the current situation, while his connection to the club may also steady things off the pitch and in the dressing room.

While Hughton is not seen as a long-term solution and a style unlikely to excite supporters, the focus is on survival, and he has shown he can deliver that.

Sean Dyche is a Premier League relegation scrap expert

Sean Dyche has reportedly been considered as a ‘hail mary’ option for Spurs, due to his track record of keeping teams in the Premier League.

He repeatedly kept Burnley in the Premier League, with one of the smallest budgets, by building a disciplined team that could grind out results under pressure. He even qualified for Europe in the 2017/18 season. Such resilience could be exactly what Spurs need in a relegation fight.

His more recent spell at Everton saw him steady the club and avoid relegation, despite an eight-point deduction for historic Financial Fair Play breaches. Despite a more disappointing spell at Nottingham Forest, he has repeatedly shown he can step into difficult situations and perform.

With survival the priority, Dyche’s defence-first style and ability to organise a team, while delivering results, could make him one of the most reliable options available.

Gus Poyet wants the Spurs job

A former Spurs player, Gus Poyet has thrown his name into the hat, making it clear he would step in if the club needed him. He has strong ties to Tottenham, having played there from 2001 to 2004 and serving as assistant manager during the 2008 League Cup triumph.

Poyet’s managerial career includes saving Sunderland from relegation from the Premier League and guiding Brighton to the Championship from League One. He is confident that he can steady Spurs in a relegation fight, bringing experience and a feel for the club that could win over fans.

An unconventional but passionate candidate, Poyet represents an intriguing option for Tottenham, as they search for a way out of the relegation scrap.

A critical appointment

The next appointment will define whether Tottenham survive this relegation battle. The candidates offer a mix of experience, connection to the club, and short-term impact.

Sherwood, Hughton and Poyet could improve motivation from within and among the fans. De Zerbi and Hutter could provide long-term structure but pose a risk in the fight for survival. Dyche brings organisation and resilience to a side in desperate need of stability and results.

Ultimately, Spurs must decide whether immediate safety is the priority or if they are willing to back a manager who can combine survival with a plan for the future. Whatever choice is made, getting results immediately is the priority for Tottenham.

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