De Zerbi Emerges as Spurs' Prime Target as Tudor Departs by Mutual Agreement

Tottenham's managerial carousel is set to turn again, with Roberto De Zerbi firmly in the frame to take over after Igor Tudor's exit has been settled by mutual consent.

Tudor, who arrived from Marseille to replace Thomas Frank, has overseen a dire spell at the north London club. Spurs have won just two of their last seven outings across all competitions, exiting the Champions League in the process while their Premier League survival hopes have grown increasingly precarious.

The nadir came this past weekend when Nottingham Forest dismantled Spurs 3-0 at home in a crucial relegation battle. That capitulation—which left the club languishing in 17th place, a solitary point above the drop zone with seven matches to play—proved the final indictment on Tudor's brief tenure.

Tudor learned of a family tragedy in the immediate aftermath of the Forest defeat, with the passing of his father Mario prompting his decision to step aside. Both the manager and the club have now reached agreement on a parting of the ways.

De Zerbi, the former Brighton and Marseille boss, has been marked out as the Lilywhites' top candidate, though one significant caveat applies: he must be willing to assume the role with immediate effect rather than waiting until the summer. The former Juventus and Lazio manager represents the club's primary target, with the appointment contingent on his availability to take charge straight away.

Alternative candidates Adi Hutter and Chris Hughton have also been mentioned, yet De Zerbi's name carries the most weight in discussions. Tudor's departure is expected to be confirmed within the next day or two.

Club legend Mauricio Pochettino, currently in charge of the United States national team, has also been discussed as a potential option. In recent remarks to L'Equipe, Pochettino acknowledged his fondness for English football and the Premier League environment.

"I miss the football scene in England. I love the country, its culture, the football culture," Pochettino said. "For anyone with a competitive spirit who wants to measure themselves against others and test their limits, it's the ideal place. Here, you have to give your best constantly."

The American boss went on to reference his previous spell at Spurs, which ended in 2021 amid considerable upheaval. "When that six-month season ended, there was a bit of… Well, with this whole COVID situation, the situation at the club created instability. In every area," he explained. "There was a period of change, uncomfortable situations, situations that… didn't give the impression that it was possible to work in a stable environment, like the one we have today."

Pochettino also touched upon his time at Paris Saint-Germain, noting that while he valued the experience, he had proposed alternatives that the French club ultimately rejected. His comments hint at a lingering interest in a return to English football, though whether that manifests at Spurs remains to be seen.