Tottenham decide on 'ideal candidate' to take manager job - it's not Mauricio Pochettino
Tottenham are said to have a prime target this summer when it comes to a manager.
Tottenham are already said to have their eyes on a managerial target ahead of the summer, and it’s not Mauricio Pochettino. Spurs are in a world of trouble currently, well on their way out of the Champions League and just one point clear of the relegation zone at time of writing.
Interim boss Igor Tudor has lost every one of his games so far, and there isn’t too much optimism about that changing on Sunday when Spurs face Liverpool at Anfield.
It’s still unclear whether Tottenham will keep Tudor until the end of the season, but another loss or two might take pressure up to a point where the club cannot avoid making such a decision.
Spurs need survival at all costs, and they could do with bringing someone in on a short term deal who can lift the spirits around the club. In this situation, tactics are a small part of the equation. Survival battles come down to desire and will for the most part, and Tottenham don’t have enough of it.
Between now - or a possible Tudor sack date - and the end of the season, Tottenham are unlikely to get their hands on a long-term appointment, given any preferred target is likely to want to make sure Spurs don’t drop into the Championship before taking the job.
But come the summer, Tottenham will be hoping to appoint a manager having remained in the Premier League, and there is plenty of talk over who that will be. USMNT boss Pochettino has been heavily linked, but it’s unclear whether he wants the job in this scenario, and he would only join after the World Cup in any case, which puts Spurs at a disadvantage in terms of preparation.
Pochettino alternative
A cheaper alternative would be Robert De Zerbi, who left Marseille recently, and Fabrizio Romano believes he is actually the prime target for Spurs.
Romano said on his YouTube channel: “If there is a dream candidate now for Tottenham, it’s Roberto De Zerbi. The former Brighton and Marseille manager is seen as the ideal candidate for the Tottenham job.
“Tottenham would love to hire De Zerbi, but at the moment, again, obviously, these depend on several things, and it’s not something easy. But the name of Roberto De Zerbi is one we should always keep in the ‘dream’ targets for Tottenham.”