Warnock's Cheeky Spurs Plea as Tudor's Honeymoon Ends in Relegation Panic

Picture this: you're Neil Warnock, 77 years young, fresh off a 3-0 drubbing in the sixth tier, and instead of moaning about National League South life, you're eyeing up the Tottenham Hotspur hot seat. The legendary gaffer, now caretaker boss at Torquay United – his 21st managerial gig – couldn't resist a pop at Spurs' woes. Speaking to The Guardian after that Ebbsfleet loss, he quipped: "They should have took me at Tottenham, shouldn’t they?"

It's classic Warnock banter. The man with 1,626 professional games under his belt – a record – has promotions galore, including a whopping eighth with Cardiff City in 2018. Sure, his Prem record isn't sparkling, but the old dog's still got bite, as he proved saving Huddersfield from the drop in 2023.

Spurs fans might chuckle, but it's no laughing matter down at the Lane right now.

Tudor's Nightmare Start Heats Up the Sack Talk

Enter Igor Tudor, the Croatian firecracker hired on Fabio Paratici's say-so after Thomas Frank got the boot last month. Spurs hoped for a new manager bounce, but it's been three defeats on the spin – now just one point above the drop zone after 11 winless Prem games. That's their worst run since December 28.

TEAMtalk sources, including Steve Pearson, reckon chiefs Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange are giving him four massive games to save his skin. Kicking off with Atlético Madrid in the Champions League last-16 first leg, then a trip to Liverpool, the return against Atleti on March 18, and a relegation scrap with Nottingham Forest on March 22.

Flop those, and with a three-week gap after (thanks to the international break and an early FA Cup exit), Tudor's out. The Telegraph whispers he's already on the brink – no surprise with tough ties looming.

Tudor's no mug; he's sparked turnarounds at Udinese, Lazio, Verona, Marseille, and even Juventus post-Thiago Motta. But Premier League inexperience is biting hard amid Spurs' slide towards a first relegation since 1977.

Shortlist Short of Saviours: Keane, De Zerbi, and Poch Dreams

Behind the scenes, Tottenham's brass are beavering away on options, per TEAMtalk and Football365 reports. Top of the interim pile? Club legend Robbie Keane, held in high esteem for his Spurs ties. Imagine Keano rallying the troops – pure nostalgia fuel.

Roberto De Zerbi's admired too, but the Italian's not jumping into this mess just yet; he'd rather wait till summer. Fans, meanwhile, pine for Mauricio Pochettino, who's tied up with the USMNT until post-World Cup.

Is another interim the play, or a long-term fix? With shock relegation fears real, Daniel Levy's lot can't afford more chaos. Warnock won't save them – he's busy in the lower leagues – but his jab's a reminder: sometimes you need grit over glamour.

Spurs need results, not jokes. Four games to dodge the trapdoor. Over to you, Igor.

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