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Igor Tudor's departure from Tottenham after just seven matches is no surprise, but Spurs must get this final roll of the dice right to maintain their Premier League status says 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 passed away literally seconds after Spurs lost against Nottingham Forest and he laid his father Mario to rest in Croatia on Wednesday.

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

Spurs have got to think of themselves. Relegation is absolutely unthinkable, but it's so very possible.

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

Igor Tudor leaves Tottenham after 44 days

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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 off a little bit there.

Then it came to that key game, Nottingham Forest, and you had supporters outside the ground pre-match urging the team on, but they didn't get a reaction.

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

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

Next head coach has plenty of time to settle in

The plan is to appoint a new head coach in the coming days. They will be in place for when the players return from international duty. The players will have plenty of time with their new boss, whether it is a permanent one or interim, ahead of that absolutely massive match against Sunderland, live on Sky Sports.

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

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

Tottenham fans know this is more deep rooted

I think the vast majority of supporters will be wishing Tudor well. Not just because of this awful news regarding his father, but because the fans realise this is more deep rooted.

This is years of recruitment not going right. Players that have left the club and those coming in not replacing them adequately. This is about injury after injury. Their captain getting a four-game suspension. Their stand-in captain getting sent off against Crystal Palace.

Tudor and other managers before have said they haven't known anything like this. Managers are saying it often. At the moment, it looks a very difficult job indeed. The job over the next seven games is extremely tough.

PL experience vital - who next for Tottenham?

It doesn't necessarily need to be someone with the 'Spurs DNA'. I don't think it needs to be someone who sings Chaz and Dave in their car. It's got to be someone with Premier League experience.

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

We know Igor Tudor was appointed to put out fires. He did it at Juventus and Lazio. But he hasn't done it with a club that was trying to stay in the Premier League.

The fact is, it didn't happen. They lost against Crystal Palace. They lost against Fulham. From the very start it was looking extremely difficult for him.

Tottenham is still a very attractive club to many managers. That's why Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho took the role. It's why Maurcio Pochettino has said he would love to go back. It's why our understanding is Roberto De Zerbi would be interested in the role in the summer.

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

The new boss could be the one that sees Spurs relegated. Or, in the summer, Tottenham stay in the Premier League and big names come in for it again.

It's going to be a huge decision.

Tottenham's remaining seven games

April 12: Sunderland (a), Premier League - kick-off 2.15pm, live on Sky Sports

April 18: Brighton (h), Premier League - kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports

April 25: Wolves (a), Premier League - kick-off 3pm

May 2: Aston Villa (a), Premier League - kick-off 12.30pm

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 7pm, Sky Sports News will be airing a special programme about Spurs' issues with their ever-present Premier League status under serious threat.

Igor Tudor has left his role as Tottenham Hotspur head coach after seven matches in charge.

Spurs made the surprise decision to turn to Tudor just 44 days ago, after dismissing Thomas Frank.

The Croatian had never managed in the Premier League, but had experience of sparking an upturn in form after mid-season arrivals at other clubs, and yet lost his first four matches at the helm in north London.

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A club statement on Sunday afternoon read: "We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed for head coach Igor Tudor to leave the club with immediate effect.

"Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci have also left their respective roles of goalkeeping coach and physical coach.

"We thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their efforts during the past six weeks, in which they worked tirelessly. We also acknowledge the bereavement that Igor has recently suffered and send our support to him and his family at this difficult time.

"An update on a new head coach will be provided in due course."

The most recent defeat came at home to Nottingham Forest on March 22, prior to the international break.

Immediately after that game, the 47-year-old learned his father Mario had died.

Tudor's exit leaves Spurs without a head coach heading into the final seven games of the Premier League season, as they sit just one place and one point above the relegation zone.

Their next match is at Sunderland on April 12, live on Sky Sports.

'Tudor exit inevitable, just a matter of when, not if'

Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge:

"It was inevitable - what we wanted to know was when they were going to do it. Igor Tudor was informed that his father had passed away literally seconds after Spurs lost against Nottingham Forest and he laid his father Mario to rest in Croatia on Wednesday.

"So, you'd imagine that the Tottenham board had decided that they were going to make another change, one final roll of the dice in this terrible season for the football club, but timing is right.

"You've got to get the timing right, but at the same time, Spurs have got to think of themselves as well. Relegation for this football club is absolutely unthinkable, but it's so very possible."

Why did Spurs act now?

Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge:

"I think it comes down again to timing. The awful, tragic news over the passing of his father, but you would have imagined that the board and people would have spoken about it and thought, 'look, let's give this a few days here' because, as I say, I think he was well liked by people inside the football club and given him those few days to grieve."

Tudor's reign in numbers

Zero: Tudor won none of his five Premier League games in charge of Spurs, his only point coming in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on March 15.

One: The points gap between Spurs and the relegation zone. They were five points clear at the time of Tudor's appointment in 16th place, but he leaves with the gap having been cut to one point, with Spurs now in 17th.

Merse: Spurs' relegation more believable than it's ever been

Sky Sports' Paul Merson:

"I was at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final, but I watched the Spurs game there. Oh man.

"At first, Tottenham were on top, and if they had scored, they would have gone on to win the game. But they didn't, and they did what they've become famous for this season. They let in one - and then capitulate.

"Spurs getting relegated is more believable today than it's ever been. They got a result against Liverpool, who were poor on the day, and then they played Atletico Madrid and won the game.

"You're suddenly thinking: if they play like this, they'll be alright and they'll have no chance of going down. But fast forward to the next Sunday, and you're going: Wow. Wow.

"It's really worrying for Tottenham. Really worrying. And if they fall into the bottom three - and they could before they next play - then it becomes difficult for them.

"They're going to Sunderland next, and they'll be reunited with their fans after the derby win. Then it's Brighton, who are playing as well as anybody right now.

"Spurs also have Chelsea away with two games to go - they don't want to be going there needing points, because that's Chelsea's biggest game of the season.

"And then West Ham play Leeds at home on the final day of the season. You couldn't write it, could you?"

Sky Sports News special: Inside Spurs

On Thursday, April 2 at 7pm, Sky Sports News will be airing a special programme about Spurs' issues with their ever-present Premier League status under serious threat.

'Inside Spurs' will feature special guests, including Jamie O'Hara, to dissect, analyse and examine the club's woes and predicament as they stare at a first relegation in 49 years.

The shortest managerial tenures in PL history

Tottenham's remaining games

April 12: Sunderland (A) - Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports

April 18: Brighton (H) - Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports

April 25: Wolves (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm

May 2: Aston Villa (A) - Premier League

May 9: Leeds (H) - Premier League

May 17: Chelsea (H) - Premier League

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Alessia Russo's first-half hat-trick helped Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur 5-2 in the north London derby to keep alive their Women's Super League title hopes.

Renee Slegers' side needed to respond after Man City had breezed to victory in the Manchester derby earlier in the day and they did thanks to Russo's first treble for the club as the Gunners stayed 11 points behind the leaders with two games in hand.

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The England striker opened her tally with a powerful fifth-minute header after being picked out from Katie McCabe's corner, before minutes later latching on to Olivia Smith's pass, rounding the onrushing Lize Kop and slotting the ball home from a tight angle.

Having got themselves back into the game thanks to Frida Maanum's own goal - the visitors' first-ever goal at the Emirates - Spurs then gifted their neighbours a third when Kop passed the ball straight to Russo, who gratefully accepted the present for her hat-trick goal before the half-hour mark.

Russo had eight first-half shots, the joint-most by any player in a WSL game this season, although it was Caitlin Foord who added a fourth just past the hour mark with a thunderous strike into the top corner.

Substitute Bethany England's sweet strike did give Spurs hope on her 200th WSL appearance, only for Stina Blackstenius to come off the bench to poach a fifth for the Gunners in injury-time to send most of the 46,123 fans in attendance home happy.

The comprehensive display extended Arsenal's winning run to 11 matches in all competitions, while it was also a record-extending 17th straight home victory in the WSL, including over Man City and Chelsea, to just about keep them in the title race.

Russo savours match-winning treble

Arsenal hat-trick hero Alessia Russo on Sky Sports:

"It feels really nice. I love to score goals as much as I can and to do it here at the Emirates in a north London derby is really nice. It's a good three points moving on to the rest of the season.

"The first one, it's a great ball in from Katie. We work on set-pieces all the time and it's nice when one comes off.

"We practise one-v-one finishing all the time in training, so it is about decision-making and using the goalkeeper to make your mind up. As soon as she came out I knew I was going to take it around her.

"Then the third one, again something that we do a lot is high pressure and making that count."

Slegers: Russo developing and driving team more

Arsenal boss Renee Slegers on Sky Sports:

"She's [Russo] now also part of the captain's group at Arsenal. I think she's always herself, wanting to bring her best version, very humble.

"She's lovely to work with, very respectful to anyone she works with or passes by. But you can see she's stepping up and you see moments in training as well where she's instructing more, communicating more, driving the team more.

"Also, she's more vocal and that's really good. She's definitely developing that and we love to see it because she's a great person and she has so much intelligence as well as a footballer."

Foord: We're building our momentum

Arsenal's Caitlin Foord on Sky Sports:

"We created a lot of chances and put the ball in the back of the net a couple of times, Less [Alessia Russo] getting a hat-trick. We are building our momentum and the girls have been in good form. We wanted to continue that and we did that.

"I was super pleased to get into the game, get that last game out of the way now to move on, and to put the ball in the back of the net again. I'm always pleased about that because I like doing my part for the team.

"The girls have been great since I've been away [at the Asia Cup]. They have scored lots of goals and got lots of wins so it was exciting to watch from all the way on the other side of the world.

"Our next game is massive. Obviously we're up, but it's always a tough game against Chelsea. We know we have to be at our best to get to the next stage."

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One win each - bragging rights up for grabs on Merseyside

Everton vs Liverpool - Saturday, kick-off 12pm, live on Sky Sports

Liverpool will be pleased to see a five-point cushion open up between themselves and the relegation spot - one they had occupied for much of the season so far. Although there are five games to go, the Reds look to have opened up a big enough gap to ensure their WSL status.

Everton too have improved under interim boss Scott Phelan, who has won three of his first four WSL matches and could become the very first manager to win four of his opening five WSL games in charge of the Toffees.

Goodison Park hasn't always been a happy home for Everton this season - although they have won the last two there in the WSL - but they will be hoping for the ultimate scalp of Liverpool this weekend.

The Toffees were big 4-1 winners at Anfield on the opening day of the season, but Liverpool had the better of their FA Cup fifth round tie a few weeks ago with a 2-1 victory.

So bragging rights are firmly up for grabs, as are three points that would surely confirm Liverpool as a WSL team next season.

Charlotte Marsh

Can anyone stop Manchester City?

Man Utd vs Man City - Saturday, kick-off 1.30pm

With an eight-point lead at the top of the WSL, it's hard to see anyone stopping Man City and their relentless pursuit of their first league title in 10 years.

But Manchester United will want to delay that - albeit briefly - with some kind of result on Saturday, if for nothing other than local bragging rights.

It will be back-to-back games at Old Trafford for them too after they also faced Bayern Munich in the Champions League at the ground on Wednesday evening - and Man City have stuttered on the road lately.

They have lost one and drawn one of their last two WSL away games and failed to score in both. Man City last went three in a row without victory away from home when losing their final three games of the 2022/23 campaign and have never failed to score in three straight in the WSL.

It's hard to see them doing so again this weekend, especially given they thrashed Tottenham 5-2 on Saturday - the fifth time they have scored five or more goals in a WSL game this season - and have had extra days of rest heading into the Manchester derby.

These games always add an extra dimension, and Man Utd will need to summon all of their derby spirit to keep Man City from another WSL win.

Charlotte Marsh

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Do you rest Little or is that too risky?

Arsenal vs Tottenham - Saturday, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports

Kim Little is an Arsenal legend - and she's staying for a little bit longer. The Scot is an integral part to this Gunners team, which is recognised in her new contract.

Little and her industrious nature is defying logic at the age of 35. She is the only WSL player that averages over 90 per cent passing accuracy, and more than seven ball recoveries per game. She is the metronome of the team both on and off the ball.

Martin Ho sign new long-term deal: 'Spurs are a sleeping giant in women's football'

But do Arsenal need to manage her minutes, given the importance of the next few weeks? The Gunners have work to do to secure Champions League football for next season, but have a chance to back up last season's triumph by beating Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the same competition next week.

A two-goal lead against Chelsea is not enough, given the mentality monsters the Blues have in their squad. So even though she is a metronome, is this north London derby a good opportunity for Little to rest and recharge? Or is that too big a risk, given her importance?

Sam Blitz

Chelsea need a big boost against Aston Villa

Chelsea vs Aston Villa - Sunday, kick-off 12pm, live on Sky Sports

Sunday's match against Aston Villa comes at a critical moment in Chelsea's season.

They are in the middle of two games against Arsenal in the Champions League - losing the first leg 3-1 on Tuesday - and after a 1-1 draw against London City last weekend, they lost ground in the race to compete in Europe next season.

The Blues need a big performance and a big result on their return to Kingsmeadow to not only boost their confidence ahead of Wednesday's second leg, but also keep pace with the teams around them in the top four.

The remainder all play on Saturday, and Chelsea could be out of the European places by the end of the evening.

Aston Villa won't make it easy though, and have enjoyed games on the road recently. They have won more points in the league under Natalia Arroyo away (20) than at home (15), and have conceded just one goal in their last two away games.

Ultimately though, these are the games Chelsea should and expect to win, and it's vital that they do this weekend.

Charlotte Marsh

Could relegation battle go down to goal difference?

West Ham vs London City Lionesses - Sunday, kick-off 12pm, live on Sky Sports

The last time these two met, London City Lionesses profited on a howler from goalkeeper Kinga Szemik to earn a 1-0 win. It was a result that confirmed West Ham would be relegation candidates, and that London City weren't.

West Ham were winless then but their position now is slightly better. Rita Guarino has steadied the ship somewhat, but their position remains perilous.

The relegation battle, which this year sees bottom spot undergo a relegation play-off, could come down to goal difference. Leicester and West Ham are neck-and-neck on -26 and -25 respectively, with three points separating the two.

West Ham's 5-0 loss to Arsenal last time out referenced the necessity to not just get points, but if you lose - you have to lose 'well'. The last time the Hammers lost by that margin, it was to Chelsea in January and that sparked a mini-revival in terms of wins and points.

Guarino will be hoping that history repeats itself - not the reverse fixture against London City.

Sam Blitz

Leicester looking to right some wrongs against Brighton

Leicester vs Brighton - Sunday, kick-off 12pm, live on Sky Sports

Leicester will be looking to bounce back from a 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa last weekend when they take on Brighton as the relegation play-off looms.

The Foxes currently sit bottom of the WSL, three points behind West Ham with five games remaining and could face the challenge of playing either Birmingham City, Crystal Palace, Newcastle United or Bristol City in a play-off.

In their last five matches, Rick Passmoor's side have managed to score just two goals, while conceding 14.

It follows a more concerning trend for the Foxes, who have only scored nine goals this season - the lowest in the league - and conceded 35.

Leicester will be looking to right some wrongs after the Foxes' last meeting with Brighton back in November, where they lost that game 4-1, with Shannon O'Brien scoring their consolation that day.

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