Spurs could hire Tudor to develop ‘Klopp-like’

Tottenham Hotspur are in real trouble. After only three games, Igor Tudor’s position as interim manager is already under threat.

A heavy defeat to Arsenal during his first game was almost acceptable, if not unbearable, but subsequent losses against Fulham and Crystal Palace threw the north Londoners into real trouble in the Premier League.

Time is running out, and with West Ham United and Nottingham Forest both picking up points and one point behind Spurs on the edge of the drop zone, the board may need to take drastic measures.

Tottenham have lost their last five Premier League games and travel to Anfield to face Liverpool next weekend. If Tudor was a flawed appointment, now is the time to make a change.

The latest on the future of Tudor’s Spurs

Tudor, 47, has one of the shortest tenures as a manager, averaging 0.67 years during his 11 managerial appointments. Given that he was only picked off four times at the start of the season, his reputation as a fixer is understandable.

But it doesn’t work for Tottenham, whose situation continues to evolve and his vulnerable position deepens. Indeed, the Telegraph reported that Londoners are already looking to make a new appointment.

Ferencvaros manager Robbie Keane has been nominated as a candidate, but the Irish legend lacks experience and could be a risk, even with a deep connection to the Lilywhites after years of service.

Instead, Tottenham could appoint a seasoned manager with more managerial qualifications than someone like Keane while still capturing a young, developing core.

That man could be Edin Terzic, who has been unemployed since leaving Borussia Dortmund in 2024. Only last month, the German was linked with a move to N17, before the powers that be opted to appoint Tudor.

Terzic may not be as experienced as the other nominees, he did a good job at Dortmund and, on top of that, he has experience in the Premier League, having worked under Slaven Bilic at West Ham United.

Why Terzic would be good for Spurs

Terzic, 43, ended his professional career in 2013 and became a scout and assistant coach for the Yellow Wall, eventually taking the big job after a successful spell in 2020/21.

Obviously, saving top-flight status should be the first port of call for the powers that be as they make their next move, but Tottenham can thrive with such a forward-thinking and exciting manager. In fact, he has even been described by former pro David James as “Jurgen Klopp-like” in his intelligent, pressing style.

In addition, he is a skilled organizer and managed to create a harmonious atmosphere in Dortmund during his three-year reign, leading the Germans to the Champions League final in 2023/24, losing to Real Madrid.

However, Klopp also lost his first Champions League game, and went back to Liverpool to become one of the club’s most decorated managers. Can Terzic play such a role at Tottenham?

He already has pedigree, and that combination of coaching and interpersonal skills could be the key to success in unlocking this rusty Spurs side, putting him in a better position than Keane, who is yet to manage one of Europe’s top five leagues.

Usually playing in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation, the 43-year-old will bring back some regularity at N17, while Tudor’s three-man back row has failed to impress so far.

The angry Italian is somewhat likable, and now that it’s clear he’s up against the wall, perhaps sacking him and replacing him with Terzic could prove the masterstroke (or, at least, luck) Lange and his teammates are looking for.

Former Dortmund player Gio Reyna once praised Germany’s “superior” methods, and by using those tactics in north London, he was sure to win fans over from the start.

Tottenham could opt for Keane, if they decide to offload Tudor this month, but that would be a gamble, and they could still find the perfect profile in Terzic.

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