“Igor Tudor’s departure inevitable as Spurs roll the dice one last time in search of Premier League safety” | Soccer News

Igor Tudor’s departure from Tottenham after just seven games comes as no surprise, but Spurs must get this final roll of the dice right to retain their Premier League status, say Sky Sports News‘Michael Bridge…

I do think it was inevitable – what we wanted to know was when they were going to do it. Of course, Igor Tudor was informed that his father had literally passed away seconds after Spurs lost to Nottingham Forest and he laid his father Mario to rest in Croatia on Wednesday.

So, you can imagine that the Tottenham board decided they were going to make another change, one last roll of the dice in this terrible season.

Spurs need to think about themselves. Relegation is absolutely unthinkable, but it is very much possible.

Tudor was well liked within the club; his exit is a mutual decision and he leaves on good terms with the hierarchy.

You saw an improvement against Liverpool away, which was a very unexpected 1-1 draw, a good performance in the second leg against Atletico Madrid, but the pressure was there a bit.

Then it came to that key game, Nottingham Forest, and you had fans outside the ground before the game cheering the team on, but they got no response.

Spurs played straight in the first half, but when they went 1-0 down, their heads really went down. The second half was one to forget.

They could be in the relegation zone within two weeks by the time they head to the Stadium of Light.

The next head coach has plenty of time to settle

Spurs are now in talks with Roberto De Zerbi, with a five-year contract being offered to the former Brighton and Marseille boss.

Spurs are pushing hard to persuade De Zerbi and are hopeful of confirming an appointment before the players return from the international break.

The team will then have plenty of time with their new boss before the absolutely massive game against Sunderland, live Sky Sports, on April 12.

Sunday, April 12, 1 p.m

Kick off 14:00

Tottenham had to ask the question: ‘Do we have a better chance of staying in the Premier League with or without Igor Tudor?’ They decided the latter.

With one point from five league games in charge, it’s hard to argue with that decision.

Tottenham fans know it is more deeply rooted

I think the vast majority of supporters will wish Tudor well. Not just because of this horrible news about his father, but because the fans realize it’s deeper rooted.

These are years of recruitment that are not going well. Players who have left the club and those who come in do not adequately replace them. It’s about injury after injury. Their captain gets a four-match suspension. Their stand-in captain is sent off against Crystal Palace.

Tudor and other managers have previously said they knew nothing of the sort. Managers say this often. At the moment it looks like a very difficult job indeed. The work over the next seven games is extremely difficult.

PL experience essential – who next for Tottenham?

It doesn’t necessarily have to be someone with the ‘Spurs DNA’. I don’t think it needs to be someone singing Chas and Dave in their car. It has to be someone with Premier League experience. De Zerbi fits that profile.

Someone who knows what it’s like to go away to Wolves. Someone who knows what it’s like to face Leeds at home in a few weeks time. Brighton in a few weeks.

We know Igor Tudor was hired to put out fires. He did it at Juventus and Lazio. But he has yet to do so with a club trying to stay in the Premier League.

The fact is, it didn’t happen. They lost to Crystal Palace. They lost to Fulham. From the beginning it seemed extremely difficult for him.

Tottenham is still a very attractive club for many managers. This is why Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho took the role. This is why Mauricio Pochettino said he would like to go back. That’s why De Zerbi is in discussion.

These are two very different Tottenham Hotspurs. It’s certainly a big club, but it could be one of the riskiest moves you make in management.

The new boss could be the one to see Spurs relegated. Or, in the summer, the club stays in the Premier League and big names come in for it again.

Tottenham’s remaining seven games

• April 12: Sunderland (a), Premier League – kick-off 14:15, live air sports
• April 18: Brighton (h), Premier League – kick-off 17:30, live air sports
• April 25: Wolves (a), Premier League – kick-off 3pm
• May 2: Aston Villa (a), Premier League – kick-off 12:30
• May 9: Leeds (h), Premier League, kick-off 3pm
• May 17: Chelsea (a), Premier League, kick-off 3pm
• May 24: Everton (h), Premier League, kick-off 4pm

Sky Sports News Special: Inside Spurs

on Thursday, April 2 at 7:00 p.m, Sky Sports News will broadcast a special program on Spurs’ problems with their ever-present Premier League status under serious threat.

‘Inside Spurs’ will feature special guests including Jamie O’Harato analyze, analyze and examine the club’s woes and predicaments as they stare down a first relegation in 49 years.