Tottenham Contemplate Hiring Glenn Hoddle as Manager After 20-Year Absence
Tottenham Hotspur are in a state of turmoil as they consider a dramatic move to appoint club legend Glenn Hoddle as their next manager, even though he has not held a senior coaching position for two decades. The north London club, currently embroiled in a relegation battle, are searching for their fourth coach in less than a year following the departure of Igor Tudor on Sunday.
Crisis Deepens After Tudor's Brief Tenure
Spurs made a surprising decision to hire Croatian manager Igor Tudor after dismissing Thomas Frank on February 11. Despite Tudor's experience in sparking mid-season turnarounds, he suffered five defeats in seven games, including four consecutive losses at the start of his reign. A catastrophic 3-0 home defeat to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest left Tottenham just one point above the relegation zone, effectively ending Tudor's tenure.
With West Ham set to play Wolves on Friday, Spurs could find themselves in the bottom three when they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. This precarious situation has forced club executives Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange to make what could be the most critical decision in Tottenham's modern history, one that will determine whether they avoid the ignominy of dropping into the Championship.
Hoddle Expresses Willingness to Return
According to the Daily Mail, Tottenham are exploring various options and are giving serious thought to Glenn Hoddle. Hoddle, who managed Spurs between 2001 and 2003, has not held a senior management role since 2006 with Wolverhampton Wanderers, though he did have a brief stint as part of Harry Redknapp's coaching team at Queens Park Rangers.
Earlier this month, Hoddle expressed his willingness to help the club amid doubts over Tudor's credentials. In an interview on the FA Cup podcast Could It Be Magic, sponsored by Carling, he stated, "I think it would actually. Particularly with Tottenham, as that's my club. I've supported them since I was eight years of age. So they were a massive part of my life." Hoddle also reflected on his previous tenure, noting, "I managed them probably at the wrong time, I've got to say. Politically and financially, it wasn't money there. Certainly, it wasn't what they told me I was going into didn't succumb. But I think something like that, I would have done."
Other Candidates and Club Response
Assistant manager Bruno Saltor is currently leading training for players not on international duty, with the club aiming to appoint a new head coach in the coming days. This appointment is crucial for a 10-day preparation period ahead of the April 12 fixture at Sunderland.
Bookmakers list former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and ex-Burnley and Everton manager Sean Dyche as favourites for the role. Other potential candidates include Ryan Mason, a boyhood Spurs fan and player who has served as caretaker manager twice before.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust responded to Tudor's departure by urging the club to make a "wise choice" for his replacement. In a post on X, they stated, "With thanks to Igor and his team for their efforts, and wishing him and his family time to come to terms with their loss. In a season of bad calls, let's hope we now see a wise choice for the remainder of the campaign. Someone who understands the club and is up to the task in front of them: retaining our Premier League status. Someone we can all be proud of and who can bring some much needed success and enjoyment to our long suffering fanbase."
Odds for Next Permanent Manager
BetVictor provides the following odds for Tottenham's next permanent manager:
- Roberto De Zerbi: 6/4
- Sean Dyche: 6/4
- Marco Silva: 7/2
- Adi Hutter: 6/1
- Mauricio Pochettino: 10/1
- Ryan Mason: 12/1
- Robbie Keane: 14/1
- Harry Redknapp: 20/1
- Various others at 33/1, including Marco Rose, Scott Parker, and Gareth Southgate
As Tottenham navigate this critical period, the decision on their next manager will be pivotal in their fight to retain Premier League status and restore pride to their fanbase.
