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As uncertainty grows around the future of Igor Tudor, Tottenham have now identified Roberto De Zerbi as the "dream candidate" to replace the Croatian if they decide change is needed.

Tudor, who was appointed Tottenham's interim manager on February 14 following the departure of Thomas Frank, is under a serious amount of pressure coming into Sunday's clash against Liverpool.

Earlier this week, many presumed the club's 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid would be the end of the road for Tudor.

But the North London club have opted to stick with the 47-year-old, a decision that could potentially cost the club their Premier League status as they sit one point above the Premier League relegation zone.

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The rumour mill is in full swing as Tudor continues to struggle. Some familiar names have been linked with the post, including Sean Dyche and Robbie Keane, but Roberto De Zerbi is seen as the "dream candidate".

Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with the Tottenham job on multiple occasions over the years. Image credit: Getty

That's according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who gave an update about Tottenham's wishlist on his YouTube channel.

"If there is a dream candidate now for Tottenham, it's Roberto De Zerbi," said Romano. "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."

Earlier this month, a report from The Telegraph claimed that talks have been held at Spurs about appointing Roberto De Zerbi if they manage to avoid relegation, although the club may have to compete with Manchester United.

De Zerbi is available after leaving his role at Ligue 1 side Marseille in February.

De Zerbi has Premier League experience after spending two years at Brighton. Image credit: Getty

Sean Dyche is 'leading candidate' to replace Igor Tudor

Spurs need a safe pair of hands at the helm and, according to The Sun, former Burnley, Everton and Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche is seen as a 'strong option' to save the club from relegation.

The report suggests that Dyche is admired 'because of his Premier League experience, man-management and ability to make teams hard to beat'.

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has been told to make a stunning return to management.

Keane, 54, is one of the finest players in Premier League history, having won seven titles with United.

After retiring in 2006 following a stint at Celtic, Keane moved into management and took charge of Sunderland.

The Irishman then managed Ipswich Town between 2009 and 2011 but has been away from the dugout since leaving Portman Road.

Speaking in the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast, ex-United star Wayne Rooney tipped Keane to take the Tottenham Hotspur job.

Under Igor Tudor, Spurs are in poor form, just one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League.

In Europe, they were battered 5-2 in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg by Atletico Madrid.

Ahead of this weekend's Premier League clash against Liverpool, the pressure is firmly on Tudor and the Spurs players.

When asked about Spurs and whether they need to make another managerial change, Rooney said: "Those players need to look at themselves, I think they have been an absolute disgrace, I do.

"The performances, the attitude, the lack of desire, the lack of fight, the lack of anything in them."

He continued: "I was watching the Crystal Palace game the other day and I really felt sorry for Tottenham fans, they are not even angry anymore. They are disappointed and sad.

"Them players need to look at themselves, this is a disgrace. I think they need someone to go in, like Roy, and batter them. They need some fear put into them."

Gary Neville then added: "I think they will stay up, Tudor, I think has given these players a hard time in the public, I don't think they like that at all.

"This guy has gone in and tried to be hard on them, it's not working, they rejected him, 100% they rejected him. They will need someone to go in who has got more of a man-management ability."

A football pundit has issued a public apology to Spurs captain Cristian Romero over comments he made following the 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16 first leg.

Spurs suffered their fourth consecutive defeat under new interim manager Igor Tudor at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday night.

They were 4-0 down inside 22 minutes after two costly errors from goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who was making his Champions League debut for the club.

The Czechia international, who hadn't played a first team match since October, was substituted by Tudor after Atletico's third goal.

Spurs would pull a goal back in the first half through Pedro Porro, while Dominic Solanke scored after Julian Alvarez had put Atletico 5-1 up.

Kevin Danso and Archie Gray - who have been among a minority of consistent performers for Spurs this season - were on post-match media duties after full-time in Spain.

Speaking on TNT Sports Brasil, journalist Fred Caldeira called on Spurs to strip captain Romero of the armband for his failure to publicly speak after the result.

He fumed (as per Sport Witness): "Romero doesn't deserve to wear the captain's armband at Tottenham.

"Cristian Romero should have given an interview today. It was his obligation as captain.

"You value when you see Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool, or players who have faced the media during difficult years at Manchester United.

"He's not the main culprit for what's happening, but he's also not someone who is helping.

"At the very least, he should face the situation, and he isn't doing that."

Romero had in fact been taken off in the closing minutes after a sickening clash of heads with team-mate Joao Palhinha.

As Spurs had already used all five substitutes, they had nine players on the pitch as the full-time whistle was blown in Madrid.

Interim boss Tudor, who is already under significant pressure to keep his job, said he 'didn't know' whether either player would be available for their next fixture against Liverpool on Sunday amid concerns they had suffered a concussion.

Taking to Twitter hours later, Caldeira admitted he had 'committed an injustice' with his comments about Romero, clarifying: "I have to leave the pitch minutes before the final whistle to reach the post-match interviews in time, so I didn't see the head collision between Romero and Palhinha.

"Clearly he [Romero] was not in condition to give interviews."

Spurs have now won just two of their 15 matches in all competitions in 2026, with both of those coming in the Champions League group stages.

They currently sit in 16th place in the Premier League and are just one point - plus a superior goal difference - ahead of 18th-placed West Ham, who occupy the first relegation spot.

Sean Dyche is a 'leading candidate' to replace Igor Tudor if Tottenham decide to make a managerial change, according to reports.

Earlier this week, Dyche was installed as the new favourite to replace Tudor, who is on the brink of being sacked after Tottenham suffered their fourth consecutive defeat on Tuesday, a 5-2 loss against Atletico Madrid.

The North London club are in crisis. With nine Premier League games left to play, they currently sit just one point above the relegation zone ahead of crucial games against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest this month.

Spurs need a safe pair of hands at the helm and, according to The Sun, Sean Dyche is seen as a 'strong option' to save the club from an unimaginable fate.

The report suggests that the former Burnley and Everton manager is admired 'because of his Premier League experience, man-management and ability to make teams hard to beat'.

Dyche is believed to be aware of Tottenham's interest, but like Tudor, he will be seen as somewhat of a stopgap.

Those behind the scenes at Spurs 'do not want to appoint a new permanent head coach and would seek to make another interim appointment if Tudor leaves', the report adds.

Dyche was sacked by Nottingham Forest in February, a decision he describes as a "strange one".

In total, he won 10 of his 25 games in charge of the club.

Still, Dyche is confident about his chances of getting another "top-level" job in the future after receiving a number of offers from interested clubs.

"I know what I am. I could branch off this minute now and do what you're doing now and be quite happy," Dyche said on The Football Boardroom podcast.

"You know, I've done my bit so if I do more, great. If I don't do more, I won't be crying over it. I won't be, you know, but you're left with this moment or that moment.

"Okay, yeah, not bothered about that. I've given my lot, I always do. So I've got no problem with that. So if I choose to step away, it will be my choice. It won't be because no one will employ me."

Dyche added: "I could certainly, I've had offers already by the way, so that's not a problem. Top level [offers] but the point is, you go, 'Do I need that? Do I want to make a decision? Not at the moment."

Former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has spoken out after being linked with a return to the Premier League club as pressure continues to grow on current boss Igor Tudor.

Pochettino, who previously managed Spurs to the 2019 Champions League final, is currently the head coach of the USMNT, having also previously coached Espanyol, Southampton, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

The 54-year-old Argentinian will no doubt be focused on guiding the USMNT to a successful tournament in what is mostly a US-based competition, although some games will be played in neighbouring Mexico and Canada.

However, with the current Spurs boss, Tudor, having not won a single game since succeeding Thomas Frank as head coach on 14 February, Pochettino is among the names linked with undertaking the role should the Croatian be sacked.

Former Juventus boss Tudor has lost all four of his matches in charge, with the latest disappointment coming by way of a 5-2 defeat away at Atletico in the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday (10 March).

On Wednesday (11 March), the Guardian reported that Tudor, who is under contract until the end of the season, will remain in the role for Spurs’ trip to Anfield, where they will face Liverpool on 15 March before the north London side hosts relegation rivals Nottingham Forest the following week.

Former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has already ruled himself out of the running to replace Tudor despite previous links with a shock return earlier this week.

“I’ve been asked a few times if I’d go back to Spurs, and it’s probably not going to happen, is it?” Redknapp said.

“Would I go back? Of course I would, but I doubt very much it’s going to happen. My only concern at the minute is The Jukebox Man in the Gold Cup. I’m nothing to do with Spurs any more. They haven’t been in touch, not at all.”

Meanwhile, Pochettino has also spoken out amid links with a Spurs return and stressed that he is focused on the World Cup with the USA.

Speaking to RNE Audio, Pochettino said: “They're just rumours. I'm always being linked with clubs, like I was with Espanyol back in the day. People are letting emotions get the better of them. We're focused on the World Cup in the USA. My contract expires after the World Cup."

The USMNT's World Cup campaign gets underway against Paraguay on 13 June.

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky has broken his silence after being taken off 17 minutes into the UEFA Champions League clash vs Atletico Madrid.

On Tuesday night, struggling Spurs were beaten 5-2 by La Liga giants Atletico at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

Igor Tudor made a bold call to start Kinsky instead of the usual first-choice keeper, Guglielmo Vicario, a decision that backfired.

Kinsky made two costly mistakes in the first 17 minutes as goals from Marcos Llorente, Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez gave Atletico a 3-0 lead.

At this point, Tudor decided to take off Kinsky and replace him with Vicario, who conceded Spurs' fourth goal in the 22nd minute.

When asked about the decision after the match, Tudor said: "Unfortunately what happened, what happened, so I changed the goalkeeper after 15 minutes. It's not easy.

"Strange game. It happened. We gave them three goals. We didn't start well, and the problems killed us. Very strange, very unusual."

Now, the 22-year-old has broken his silence on the back of his nightmare cameo in Madrid.

Taking to social media, he wrote: "Thanks for messages. From dream to nightmare to dream again. See you."

When asked whether he spoke to Kinsky after the match, the under-pressure Tudor said: "It's normal. We don't need to comment. It's not the moment to speak too much.

"Everything looks like it is going wrong; it's unbelievable. It looks like everything is going against us. I need to help. I need to keep working. Not speaking too much, stay focused on what we can do. It's difficult to explain, the first time I have seen this 15 years in my career."

Igor Tudor slammed over treatment of Antonin Kinsky

Former Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart said of the incident: "Tudor doesn't even acknowledge his goalie. I'm flabbergasted.

"I’ve been trying to make sense of it and my overall feeling is that my heart is absolutely broken for the lad."

Antoine Griezmann has reacted to Igor Tudor's brutal decision to take off Antonin Kinsky just 17 minutes into Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur.

On Tuesday night, misfiring Spurs arrived at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano to take on La Liga giants Atletico in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie.

Ahead of the match, the talking point was Tudor's decision to start Kinsky instead of the usual first-choice keeper, Guglielmo Vicario.

However, the bold call backfired as Kinsky made two costly mistakes in the first 17 minutes as goals from Marcos Llorente, Griezmann and Julian Alvarez gave Atletico a 3-0 lead.

At this point, Tudor decided to take off Kinsky and replace him with Vicario, who conceded Spurs' fourth goal in the 22nd minute.

In the end, Atletico came away 5-2 winners ahead of the second leg, which will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next week.

Speaking after the match, Atletico talisman Griezmann was asked to comment on the Kinsky situation and the Frenchman criticised Tudor.

As per Four Four Two, Griezmann said: "I think it's a shame. [If the coach] starts with that goalkeeper, you have to see it through. Mentally, it must be very tough for [Kinsky]."

Igor Tudor reacts to Antonin Kinsky decision

Meanwhile, Tudor said: "Unfortunately what happened, what happened, so I changed the goalkeeper after 15 minutes. It's not easy.

"We don't need to comment, it's not the moment to speak too much. Strange game. It happened. We gave them three goals. We didn't start well, and the problems killed us. Very strange, very unusual."

He continued: "Everything looks like it is going wrong; it's unbelievable. It looks like everything is going against us.

"I need to help. I need to keep working. Not speaking too much, stay focused on what we can do. It's difficult to explain, the first time I have seen this 15 years in my career."

Looking ahead, Spurs are back in Premier League action this weekend when they travel to Anfield to take on reigning champions Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

A surprise candidate has emerged to replace Igor Tudor as Tottenham manager after four consecutive defeats.

Tudor was appointed as interim manager in February after Spurs sacked Thomas Frank.

The start of the Croatian's stint could hardly have gone worse, with Spurs losing all four matches he has taken charge of.

They were beaten 4-1 at home by Arsenal in his first fixture, before a 2-1 away loss to Fulham was followed by another defeat to Crystal Palace.

Spurs had gone 1-0 in front against Palace through Dominic Solanke, but Micky van de Ven was subsequently sent off and they conceded three first-half goals to lose 3-1.

And on Tuesday, they were thrashed 5-2 away to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Tudor selected goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky for his first Spurs start since October, substituted him on 17 minutes after two errors leading to goals, and watched on as his side went 4-0 down inside 22 minutes.

At half-time, bookmakers Betfair suspended betting on Tudor to be sacked before the end of the 2025/26 season, with the Croatian having previously been 5/4 to leave the club.

According to Oddschecker, former Everton, Nottingham Forest and Burnley manager Sean Dyche is the new favourite to replace Tudor at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Mauricio Pochettino is second favourite at 3/1 - appearing to indicate the bookies believe there is a better chance of Tudor being sacked, and replaced by another interim before the end of the season, than there is of him seeing out his contract.

Pochettino could only be a summer appointment given that he will be in charge of the United States at the 2026 World Cup, which gets underway in June.

Roberto De Zerbi, who recently quit Marseille and has Premier League experience with Brighton, is priced up at 4/1, while ex-Spurs striker Robbie Keane - currently in charge of Hungarian giants Ferencvaros - is also 4/1.

Andoni Iraola, who is out of contract at Bournemouth this summer and, earlier in the season, may have been seen as an ideal candidate, is now 20/1 to take over.

The Spaniard is priced up at longer odds than Harry Redknapp (10/1), who hasn't managed in over eight years and is scheduled to take part in the live TV final of I'm A Celebrity... All Stars in April.

Spurs next manager odds

Here is the full list of the leading contenders to become the next Spurs manager:

Sean Dyche (No club) - 2/1

Mauricio Pochettino (United States) - 3/1

Roberto De Zerbi (No club) - 4/1

Robbie Keane (Ferencvaros) - 4/1

Ryan Mason (No club) - 10/1

Harry Redknapp (No club) - 10/1

Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth) - 20/1

Selected others

Jamie O'Hara walked out of the talkSPORT studio after Spurs' 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League - and after enduring taunts from co-host Jason Cundy.

Spurs went 4-0 down inside 22 minutes at the Wanda Metropolitano, with two goals caused by errors from goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

The 22-year-old, who was making his first appearance since October 29, twice gave the ball away while trying to pass the ball out from the back.

His second error saw him slip before kicking the ball, with former Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez on hand to tap into an empty net for 3-0.

Kinsky was substituted on 17 minutes by interim manager Igor Tudor, with Spurs eventually going on to score twice through Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke - albeit each netting after Atletico had scored again themselves.

O'Hara, who played for Spurs between 2005 and 2011 and came through their youth academy, gave his live reaction to the match and the result alongside co-host Cundy on 'The Sports Bar'.

Cundy, who wore a mask depicting ex-Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou and a clown hat and tie, repeatedly mocked O'Hara throughout the night.

And after he claimed that ex-Spurs boss Harry Redknapp couldn't return to the club as manager because he is at Cheltenham watching the Gold Cup, O'Hara exploded.

"They need to get people in there who know Tottenham... stop talking about the Gold Cup!

"Tottenham is bigger than the Gold Cup, Jase! Harry Redknapp would bin off the Gold Cup to come and manage Spurs.

"If we stick with this guy [Tudor], we're gone. This club is gone. I'm not saying it's going to change, but it can't get any worse. It can't get any worse."

When Cundy said that Spurs had 'drawn the second half', O'Hara fired back: "Stop going on about the second half! You can't keep going on about it.

"Seriously, mate. Seriously, shut up.

"You can't keep talking about the second half. 'Oh, we drew the second half'. Honestly... I'm trying not to swear. You're a professional pundit. You can't keep saying that."

Playing on the fury of his co-host, Cundy again repeated his second half comment - causing O'Hara to put his hands over his face before walking out of the studio.

"He's walked out again. I mean, factually, they drew the second half," Cundy, who played for Spurs between 1992 and 1996, told listeners.

Archie Gray has become the first Spurs player to address Antonin Kinsky's first-half substitution during their 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16 first leg.

Kinsky made two errors leading to a goal as Atletico took an early 3-0 lead.

On both occasions, the Czechia international lost his footing while attempting to pass the ball out from the back.

While Atletico still had work to do on the edge of the box before Marcos Llorente scored following Kinsky's first error, his second mistake presented the ball to Julian Alvarez to score into an empty net.

Interim manager Igor Tudor had seen enough at that stage, hauling the goalkeeper off on what was his Champions League debut.

It was a nightmare evening for Kinsky, who signed for Spurs from Slavia Prague last January amid a goalkeeping injury crisis under Ange Postecoglou.

The 22-year-old had a short run in the first team under the Australian, before Guglielmo Vicario was restored to the side following his return from a broken arm.

This season, however, he had played just twice in all competitions - both in the EFL Cup - prior to Tuesday night at the Wanda Metropolitano.

And while many Spurs fans had called for him to be given an opportunity due to Vicario's recent poor form, others questioned why a goalkeeper who hadn't played since October 29 was suddenly called upon for such a crucial match.

After Kinsky's exit, Tudor's side conceded again just five minutes later to make it 4-0, before Pedro Porro pulled a goal back before half-time.

Alvarez made it 5-1 on 55 minutes with his second goal of the night, before Dominic Solanke scored another consolation for the struggling visitors to reduce the deficit back down to three goals.

Gray, who turns 20 on Thursday and whose performances have been one of few positives for Spurs in recent weeks, spoke to BBC Sport post-match and gave his initial reaction to Kinsky's substitution.

"It's difficult, mistakes happen," he said. "It's part of football.

"Tony [Kinsky] is young. I have made mistakes, everyone has, especially when you are younger.

"When it costs goals, it is disappointing. But he is strong mentally so he will get through this, he'll be alright.

"We have got to take responsibility, what's happened in this game and in the Premier League. In quite a lot of games this season it's been unacceptable.

"We have to take responsibility and push on."

Spurs host Atletico in the return leg of their Champions League last 16 tie at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 18.