Tottenham are actively pursuing their replacement for Igor Tudor, and there has been another update today.
Tottenham manager search veers toward Roberto De Zerbi
The calls have been coming from all directions.
31 games into a season that has produced zero Premier League wins since the new year, Spurs are searching for their third permanent head coach of a campaign that has already consumed two managerial tenures and the goodwill of a fanbase pushed to the edge of their tolerance.
Tudor is now gone — 44 days, seven games, one victory — and the clock is ticking loudly with seven matches top flight matches remaining and a single point separating them from the relegation zone.
Roberto De Zerbi remains the name at the centre of everything.
Talks are ongoing today between Spurs and the out-of-work Italian, who has performed a significant U-turn by signalling his openness to considering the role immediately rather than waiting until the summer.
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The Italian is in pole position to be Spurs’ third manager of the season.
The 46-year-old is now evaluating a five-year contract proposal which would make him one of the highest paid managers in England, and the coming hours could prove decisive.
The Independent’s Miguel Delaney reported that discussions have progressed to the point where the composition of De Zerbi’s backroom staff is actively being worked through — a clear sign that an agreement is within reach.
Meanwhile, Alasdair Gold, one of the most reliable Lilywhites sources there is, says there is a growing confidence that the north Londoners will land De Zerbi now, rather than in the summer.
His potentially imminent appointment has been met with some backlash, though.
Fan opposition from three supporter groups, including Proud Lilywhites and Women of the Lane, continues to build momentum over his past public defence of Mason Greenwood at Marseille.
If talks fall through, it would be wise for Spurs to have alternatives, and one man they’ve reportedly discussed is ex-Monaco boss Adi Hutter.
Esteemed French newspaper L’Equipe even claimed last week that Hutter held talks with Tottenham over the job, but the Austrian has now made his stance pretty clear.
Adi Hutter rules himself out of Tottenham job after talks
Indeed, he put any reports of a Spurs move to bed.
Speaking to Sky Sports Austria this week, via GFFN, Hutter stated that his position has not moved since the day he left Monaco.
“Over the past few days and weeks, my name has been linked with various clubs with increasing frequency,” he said.
“However, as I made clear at the end of my time at Monaco, I would prefer not to take up a head coaching role until the start of the new season at the earliest.”
A definitive, unhesitating statement.
Hutter wants a full pre-season, a project to shape from scratch — not a relegation fight with 10 days’ preparation and seven games to work with.
He is not the only one to have stepped away.
Sean Dyche’s reported demand for a minimum 18-month contract has made a short-term arrangement difficult, while Mauricio Pochettino’s World Cup commitments with the United States mean the fans’ sentimental choice is simply not available.
The list of credible candidates willing to step into this situation is shrinking, meaning Spurs are banking on a full agreement with De Zerbi.
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The Lilywhites have a huge decision to make.