Tottenham Interim Manager Redknapp Could Stabilise Club After Tudor Exit

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Brad Friedel believes Harry Redknapp should return to Tottenham Hotspur on a short-term basis, with Spurs searching for stability after Igor Tudor’s departure and facing a serious Premier League relegation battle in the closing weeks of the 2025-26 season.

Tottenham have collected only 30 points from 31 Premier League matches and sit a single point above the relegation zone, with the 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest before the international break underlining the pressure building around the club’s campaign.

Igor Tudor’s spell in charge ends after just five Premier League games and 44 days, following a mutual agreement announced on 29 March 2026, with the Croatian coach departing after replacing Thomas Frank in February and collecting only one point from a draw at Liverpool.

Tudor oversaw four league defeats in those five matches, including the heavy Forest loss, and his short stay ranks as the fourth briefest permanent Premier League tenure, behind Sam Allardyce at Leeds United, Ange Postecoglou at Nottingham Forest and Les Reed at Charlton Athletic.

Tottenham confirmed the changes in a club statement, which also revealed backroom departures: goalkeeping coach Tomislav Rogic and physical coach Riccardo Ragnacci have exited alongside Tudor as Spurs reshape the technical staff during a critical stage of the season.

Friedel, who played for Spurs between 2011 and 2015, suggests the club should turn to a familiar figure until the summer, drawing a parallel between Redknapp and Martin O’Neill, who has stepped in twice at Celtic this season to calm difficult situations.

"They're in a desperate situation as we sit here, Friedel, who played for Spurs between 2011 and 2015, told BBC Radio 5 Live. I think someone like Harry Redknapp could do a very similar job to the one Martin O'Neill has done at Celtic on the short-term basis, especially to stabilise the club. Long term, it's not the solution, but to go in and instil some confidence into the players is something Harry would do."

Spurs Premier League relegation fight and long-term planning

Friedel stresses that Tottenham’s priorities must remain immediate survival rather than future planning, arguing that the club’s broader rebuild can only be sensibly shaped once it is clear whether the next season will be played in the Premier League or the Championship.

"The most important thing is staying in the league. The long-term solution and building of the club can't really take place until you know whether you're doing it from the Championship or the Premier League. There's not many really top-quality, real long-term visionary coaches who would jump into this job right now without a break clause in their contract if they're relegated in the summer. But then, is that actually good for the club to have to bring in and release another manager after seven games?"

Friedel’s comments highlight a dilemma for Spurs, who must decide whether to prioritise a short-term specialist such as Redknapp or move straight to a long-term project coach, despite the risk that relegation clauses and a possible quick dismissal could damage stability further.

Spurs Premier League relegation fight and managerial candidates

Several candidates have been suggested for a short-term appointment at Tottenham, with Redknapp joined on that list by Tim Sherwood and Glenn Hoddle, while Ryan Mason is again mentioned after previous spells as interim manager at the club.

Mauricio Pochettino is also linked with a potential return to north London after leading the United States at the upcoming World Cup, while Spurs are reported to hold interest in Roberto De Zerbi, who left Marseille earlier this season and is thought to favour taking over in the summer.

As the season moves towards its final matches, Tottenham must balance Premier League relegation concerns with the search for a coach who can secure safety and then guide longer-term plans, with every remaining fixture likely to carry major consequences for the club’s direction.