AliousIgor Tudor remains in charge on a temporary basis until the end of the campaign, but even if he succeeds in steering Spurs clear of relegation, ENIC Group are expected to pursue a new permanent head coach this summer.
The latest on Tottenham’s managerial hunt
The uncertainty surrounding Tottenham’s league status complicates their plans to attract a high-profile manager in 2026. Elite candidates may be hesitant to commit without guarantees of Premier League football next season.
Many believe the club’s issues extend beyond the dugout, highlighting deeper structural problems. As a result, sporting director Johan Lange faces a major task in identifying the right figure to lead a long-term rebuild.
According to Football Insider, Spurs are seriously considering Niko Kovac, who is currently in charge of Borussia Dortmund, as a potential successor. The 54-year-old is reportedly one of several names on ENIC’s shortlist, alongside Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi.
Kovac boasts an impressive résumé, having lifted the DFB-Pokal with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2017/18 and secured a domestic treble with Bayern Munich the following season. He has been praised as one of Europe’s top coaches and is known for instilling a strong winning mentality.
In terms of style, Kovac is considered balanced rather than extreme. He is not as relentlessly attack-minded as Ange Postecoglou, but neither does he adopt the overly conservative approach that frustrated supporters during the tenures of Thomas Frank and Nuno Espirito Santo.
Reports from Germany suggest preliminary discussions have already taken place with the Dortmund boss, whose position has come under scrutiny following the club’s Champions League exit to Atalanta.
Why Kovac could be a strong fit
Kovac is recognised for his clear tactical structure and disciplined approach. Whether deploying a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 system, he demands intensity, organisation and aggressive pressing. While not obsessed with possession, his teams are structured and efficient.
Importantly, he has consistently delivered solid points-per-game returns throughout much of his managerial career. Aside from a brief and underwhelming spell at Wolfsburg, his track record has been strong, and he has since rebuilt his reputation at Dortmund.
| Niko Kovac’s Managerial record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Club | Games | Points per Game |
| Dortmund | 62 | 1.95 |
| Wolfsburg | 66 | 1.30 |
| Monaco | 74 | 1.95 |
| Bayern | 65 | 2.26 |
| Frankfurt | 91 | 1.54 |
It is also worth highlighting that his average spell as a head coach lasts around 1.54 years, whereas Tudor’s average tenure stands at just 0.69 years.
Tudor’s tactical approach and training methods have already left some pundits puzzled, and after two underwhelming defeats, he faces a significant challenge to prove to the decision-makers at N17 that he is the right long-term solution.
All of this, of course, hinges on Tottenham avoiding relegation from the Premier League. Should they manage to steer clear of that worst-case scenario, Kovac could emerge as the ideal candidate to launch a stable and successful new era that the club has been striving to build for some time.
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