Tottenham Hotspur is actively searching for a new permanent head coach. According to recent reports, the club is currently in talks with Roberto de Zerbi. This managerial hunt comes immediately after the departure of Igor Tudor.
Tudor left the club on Sunday by mutual agreement. His time in charge was incredibly short. He managed the team for just 44 days. Now, chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange face a massive task. They must quickly find the right replacement to guide the team out of danger.
The decision to let Tudor go was not made lightly. Tottenham decided to make this change after a tough match last Sunday. They suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest. This result put the team in a highly dangerous position. They sit just one point above the Premier League relegation zone. However, the club handled the announcement carefully. They delayed the news to give Tudor time to mourn the recent passing of his father.
The Pursuit of Roberto de Zerbi
Right now, Roberto de Zerbi is the primary target for Spurs. The Italian manager is currently available for work. He left his position at Marseille earlier this season. Even before officially announcing Tudor’s exit, Tottenham reached out. They wanted to find out if De Zerbi was interested in taking the job.
Initial reports from BBC Sport suggest De Zerbi is open to the idea. Multiple sources state he is willing to become the next permanent head coach. However, there is a hurdle regarding the timing. De Zerbi would prefer to wait until the current season ends. He wants to know if Tottenham will actually survive the relegation battle and stay in the Premier League.
Despite his preference to wait, active talks are still taking place. Tottenham is trying hard to reach an immediate agreement. They want him to take charge for the remaining seven games of the season. If he agrees, the club plans to offer the former Brighton manager a long-term contract.
Fan Protests and Backlash
Appointing De Zerbi is not a universally popular idea. Several Tottenham supporters’ groups have spoken out against him. They strongly oppose this potential hire. Their anger stems from De Zerbi’s public support for Mason Greenwood.
Greenwood is a former Manchester United striker. He left England to join De Zerbi’s Marseille team in 2023. This transfer happened after serious legal charges against the 24-year-old player were dropped. Those charges included attempted rape and assault.
While managing Marseille, De Zerbi made comments about Greenwood that upset many people. He called the player a “good guy.” De Zerbi also stated that Greenwood had paid a “heavy price” for his past actions.
The Proud Lilywhites, Tottenham’s official LGBTQ+ fans’ group, released a strong statement criticizing the manager. They said, “When someone in that position publicly defends a player like Mason Greenwood, and frames it in a way that downplays the seriousness of what happened, it matters, not just in isolation but in what it signals.”
Alternative Short-Term Candidates
Because of the complex situation, Tottenham is looking at other options. They are considering short-term fixes to avoid relegation. Former Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche is a prominent name on their list. Dyche is available after Forest sacked him in February. He is famous for keeping struggling clubs in the Premier League. This specific skill makes him highly relevant to Tottenham right now.
However, hiring Dyche might prove difficult. Reports indicate that he wants a minimum 18-month contract. Tottenham might only want him for the rest of this season. This disagreement over contract length could easily block the deal.
Many fans would love to see Mauricio Pochettino return. He had a very successful spell at the club in the past. But Pochettino is currently busy. He is managing the United States national team ahead of the summer World Cup. This commitment makes an immediate return to London almost impossible.
Club Legends and Ruled-Out Options
Tottenham is also looking closer to home. Several candidates with strong ties to the club are willing to help. Ryan Mason, Harry Redknapp, and Tim Sherwood are reportedly open to taking an interim role until the season finishes. Even current player Ben Davies is being considered as a temporary fix. Former Spurs legends Glenn Hoddle and Chris Hughton have also been mentioned as possible interim managers.
One name that is definitely off the list is Adi Hutter. The former Monaco head coach was linked to the job, but he has ruled himself out. He released a statement to Sky Sports Austria to clarify his position. He repeated what he said when he left Monaco in October 2025. Hutter stated he prefers not to work as a head coach again until the start of the new season at the earliest. He confirmed that his stance on this matter has not changed.
Conclusion
Tottenham Hotspur is facing a critical moment in their season. With relegation posing a real threat, the club desperately needs leadership and stability. Roberto de Zerbi remains their top choice for a long-term project, but fan backlash and timing issues complicate the deal. Meanwhile, the club must weigh the benefits of hiring a survival specialist like Sean Dyche against bringing in a familiar face on a short-term basis. The coming days will be vital as Spurs decide who will lead them through their final seven crucial Premier League matches.
