The Spurs Managerial Merry-Go-Round: Who's Next After Tudor's Interim Stint?

Igor Tudor has arrived at Tottenham as an emergency firefighter, replacing Thomas Frank as the club desperately attempts to claw their way out of an improbable yet very real relegation battle. The question now becomes: what happens when the dust settles?

Tudor's managerial CV tells a familiar story—a blistering start that captures imaginations at clubs ranging from Hellas Verona to Juventus, swiftly followed by a spectacular unravelling should anyone foolishly grant him a second season. His Tottenham brief is crystal clear: arrest the slide, nothing more. Even if he succeeds, there's no expectation this becomes permanent, no Michael Carrick-style pathway to the dugout long-term.

That leaves two pressing unknowns: which division will Spurs call home next season, and who'll be managing them? The bookmakers at Oddschecker have their theories about who might fancy the poisoned chalice.

The Outsiders

Diego Simeone perpetually courts speculation about his future at Atletico Madrid despite fifteen years entrenched there. His proven ability to compete with wealthier, better-stocked rivals holds obvious appeal for Spurs, though why he'd swap Madrid for this mess remains rather less obvious.

Eddie Howe could theoretically become available if Newcastle's awkward campaign prompts a change in direction, though that remains speculative at best.

Andoni Iraola reportedly has ambitions elsewhere, and fair enough to him. Oliver Glasner appears destined to leave Crystal Palace—whether by mutual agreement or storming out over the board's unwillingness to back his football operation remains to be seen. There's something appealing about the notion of him departing Palace in a fit of pique before immediately materialising at Spurs, though whether another underdog manager represents what the club actually needs is debatable.

The Middle Ground

Edin Terzic has been linked with various Premier League positions since departing Borussia Dortmund at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season. That remains his sole senior management appointment, one that probably should have culminated in a Champions League winner's medal. An England move wouldn't shock anyone, and Spurs seem as plausible as any suitor should this season's catastrophe be avoided.

Marco Rose suddenly became the bookmakers' favourite on Friday morning before Tudor's appointment rendered that theory obsolete. Nevertheless, he remains firmly in contention for the permanent role.

Robbie Keane has demonstrated genuine ambition through successful spells managing in Israel and Hungary, and the club DNA runs through his veins after two separate stints as a player. Whether he possesses the mettle to take on Tottenham's challenge is another matter entirely.

The Leading Lights

Tudor himself sits at the heart of this speculation. Should he steer Spurs to safety and mid-table respectability, conversation about handing him the permanent job will inevitably surface. Everyone understands this arrangement's temporary nature, however. His entire career follows the same trajectory: new-manager bounce followed by acrimonious departure. Spurs' strategy appears to be enjoying the former whilst avoiding the latter through a clean exit.

Roberto De Zerbi feels like an appointment written in the stars. Brighton never felt like his final Premier League destination, and with Marseille behind him, he stands among the elite available options. He became the obvious candidate the moment Frank departed, combining immediate availability with summer appeal. His difficult final months at Marseille have prompted a sensible break for reflection, during which a still-Premier League Spurs would undoubtedly feature in his considerations. He also boasts an availability advantage over his chief rival, who cannot commence duties until late summer.

The Sentimental Favourite

Mauricio Pochettino represents the narrative that refuses to die. Unfinished business plainly exists for both parties—his accomplished yet trophy-bare Spurs tenure spawned countless "what ifs" demanding resolution. His likely summer availability and transparent hunger for a second opportunity surely influenced Spurs' decision to make Tudor's appointment the most straightforward short-term fix imaginable, leaving the door conspicuously ajar for his return.