Four managers in 12 months. Teetering Tottenham ring the changes (again)

Igor Tudor has left his position as interim head coach at Tottenham Hotspur, with the club now looking for a third manager of the season.

Tudor learnt of the death of his father at the end of last Sunday’s 3-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest, and he will not be returning to Spurs. The revolving door at Spurs started with their firing of Australian Ange Postecoglou in June, 2025.

His father’s death complicated matters in terms of the timing of any announcement, but on Sunday afternoon (Monday morning, AEDT), the club issued a statement to confirm Tudor’s dismissal.

The statement read: “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.”

Tottenham’s plan is to appoint a new head coach within the next few days, in time for the return of players who are currently on international duty. That would give the new coach around 10 days to prepare for the next fixture, away to Sunderland on April 12.

As reported by Telegraph Sport, Roberto De Zerbi is open to taking the permanent Tottenham job if the club can remain in the Premier League. Another long-term option, Mauricio Pochettino, is committed to the United States national team until the end of this summer’s World Cup.

Spurs, who are winless in 13 league matches, may be forced into another short-term appointment until the end of the season, with the likes of Ben Davies, Harry Redknapp, Glenn Hoddle, Tim Sherwood, and Chris Hughton all potential options. It is also believed checks have been made on Adi Hütter, the former Monaco coach, who is out of work, while Sean Dyche is available.

Robbie Keane, another former Tottenham player, who is in charge at Ferencvaros, is thought to only be interested in becoming the permanent head coach.

In the meantime, assistant coach Bruno Saltor will lead training for the first-team players who have not been selected by their national teams.

Tottenham are just one point above the Premier League relegation zone with seven games to play, with Tudor failing to win any of his five league games in charge.

Only three managers have served less time in charge of a Premier League club than Tudor. Sam Allardyce, who spent 30 days at Leeds United on an interim basis in 2023, retains the all-time record.

Tudor managed just one draw, against Liverpool, from those five matches, and his exit places greater scrutiny on Vinai Venkatesham, the Spurs chief executive, and sporting director Johan Lange, who were responsible for his temporary appointment after sacking Thomas Frank.

Venkatesham was targeted by angry Tottenham supporters near the directors’ box during the Forest defeat. He recently laid the club’s deep-rooted problems at the feet of Daniel Levy, the club’s former chairman, at a fan advisory board meeting.

Last Monday, Tottenham posted a message of condolence to Tudor on the club’s social media channels that 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.”

A Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust statement said: “In a season of bad calls, let’s hope we now see a wise choice for the remainder of the campaign. Someone who understands the club and is up to the task in front of them: retaining our Premier League status.”

Telegraph, London