Spurs eye De Zerbi as next permanent manager

Tottenham consider De Zerbi after Tudor exit

Tottenham Hotspur are aiming to persuade Roberto De Zerbi to take over as their new permanent head coach, sources indicate.

Igor Tudor has departed the club by mutual agreement after only 44 days in charge, with chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange now responsible for selecting his successor.

It is believed Spurs had already decided to part ways with interim manager Tudor following last Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest a result that left the team just one point above the relegation zone but chose to allow the Croatian time to grieve after the passing of his father.

De Zerbi, currently unattached after leaving Marseille earlier this season, has emerged as a leading candidate. Even before Tudor’s exit was officially confirmed, Tottenham had begun exploring whether the Italian would be interested in the role.

Several sources have told BBC Sport that initial feedback suggests De Zerbi is open to the position, though he would rather wait until the season concludes to determine whether the club will remain in the Premier League.

It remains uncertain whether Tottenham will intensify their pursuit of the former Brighton manager immediately following Tudor’s departure.

Fan concerns over De Zerbi appointment

Meanwhile, a number of Spurs supporters’ groups have expressed concern about the potential appointment of De Zerbi due to his public support for former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood.

Greenwood, 24, joined Marseille under De Zerbi in 2023 after charges against him, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped.

During his time in France, De Zerbi referred to Greenwood as a “good guy” who had paid a “heavy price” for past events.

Proud Lilywhites, Tottenham’s official LGBTQ+ supporters’ group, stated:
 “When someone in that position publicly defends a player like Mason Greenwood, and frames it in a way that downplays the seriousness of what happened, it matters not just in isolation, but in what it communicates.”

Alternative candidates and short-term options

Elsewhere, there is also reported interest in bringing in Sean Dyche on a short-term basis.

Dyche, who became available after being dismissed by Forest in February, is known for successfully keeping teams in the Premier League a quality particularly relevant given Tottenham’s current relegation concerns.

However, it is understood that Dyche would require at least an 18-month contract to take over, which may complicate negotiations.

Mauricio Pochettino would be the preferred option for many supporters due to his previously successful tenure at the club, but his current commitments with the United States national team ahead of this summer’s World Cup make an immediate return highly unlikely.

Other candidates with ties to Tottenham including Ryan Mason, Harry Redknapp, and Tim Sherwood would reportedly be willing to step in on an interim basis until the end of the season. Current player Ben Davies has also been considered as a short-term solution.

Former Spurs players Glenn Hoddle and Chris Hughton have likewise been mentioned as possible temporary appointments.

Ex-Monaco head coach Adi Hutter has also been linked with the role, though he appears to have ruled himself out.

In a statement, he reiterated that, as he mentioned after leaving the French club in October 2025, he would prefer not to return to coaching before the start of the next season.

He added: “My stance on this matter remains unchanged.”