Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood has delivered a blunt verdict on Igor Tudor’s chances of becoming the club’s permanent head coach at the end of the season.
Tudor steps into the spotlight this weekend as Tottenham’s interim manager following the unceremonious dismissal of the massively underwhelming Thomas Frank.
The Croat’s first game in charge is a baptism of fire at N17, with Tottenham set to host fierce rivals Arsenal in the North London derby.
The stakes could hardly be higher for Tudor, a sentiment shared by Sherwood, who believes the Croat has been handed an impossible task.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Sherwood made it clear that the expectations attached to the interim job leave little margin for error.
He believes that Tudor will have to win the Champions League and maintain a 90% win percentage in Tottenham’s remaining Premier League fixtures to even enter the conversation for the permanent job.
“I said for him [Tudor] there is very little upside,” Sherwood said.
The upside is managing a wonderful football club in Tottenham Hotspur, and I think he’s come out and said he’s proud to get the opportunity.
“But he needs to win the Champions League and win every game in the Premier League or 90% of the games in the Premier League to have any chance of taking that job in the long term.”
Potential return for Pochettino?
Sherwood also hinted at a potential fairytale return for former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine is the current head coach of the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT), but Sherwood believes Tottenham would give him the job if he wants it.
“That job is going to Mauricio Pochettino if he wants it and if they’re in the Premier League, which I believe they will be in,” Sherwood added.
So far, there is no indication that Tottenham would turn to Pochettino next summer, but the primary focus will be on Tudor’s Premier League debut against Arsenal.
The importance of hitting the ground running cannot be overemphasised, particularly with Spurs sitting just five points above the relegation zone.