Tottenham Hotspur will wait until the summer to name a permanent manager after opting to place an interim coach in charge for the remainder of the season.
On Friday, the club confirmed a verbal agreement with Igor Tudor, who will oversee Spurs’ final 12 Premier League matches as well as their remaining Champions League games. The 47-year-old was most recently in charge of Juventus before his dismissal in October. Known for stepping in late in campaigns and delivering a short-term lift, Tudor previously took over at both Juventus and Lazio in March, recording five wins and three draws from nine Serie A fixtures on each occasion.
Although the former centre-back has a chance to impress and secure the role permanently, Spurs are also assessing other long-term options.
Pochettino and De Zerbi Lead the Race
According to reports, Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi are the two leading candidates for the job this summer.
Pochettino has openly expressed his ambition to return to Premier League management. Having guided Tottenham to a Champions League final before his departure in 2019, there is a belief he still has unfinished business in north London. However, a move is unlikely in the short term, with the Argentine preparing to lead the United States men’s national soccer team at this summer’s home World Cup. Spurs supporters recently voiced their support for Pochettino, chanting his name during the defeat to Newcastle United.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are also monitoring De Zerbi, who recently left Olympique de Marseille. The Italian is reportedly open to discussions about Spurs’ project, though he is aware that potential vacancies could arise at Manchester United, Manchester City, and Liverpool in the coming months. Some reports suggest he views Tottenham as the logical next step in his career and could even turn down United to pursue the opportunity.
Why De Zerbi May Be the Smarter Choice
While Pochettino’s return would carry emotional appeal, a more pragmatic approach might favour De Zerbi. The Argentine’s recent spell at Chelsea was underwhelming, and Spurs previously parted ways with him for a reason.
De Zerbi, by contrast, appears to be entering his managerial peak. Despite his recent departure from Marseille, he guided them to a second-place finish last season and has earned significant praise from his peers. Pep Guardiola described him as “one of the most influential managers of the last 20 years,” while Matias Almeyda called him “the best manager in the world” this season.
If Tottenham can reach an agreement with De Zerbi, choosing him over Pochettino could prove to be the more logical, forward-thinking decision.
