Igor Tudor has taken over the reigns at Tottenham Hotspur after Thomas Frank was sacked last week.
The Dane’s turbulent eight months in charge of the club saw them slip to 16th in the Premier League standings.
Tottenham’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle United was the final nail in the coffin for Frank, whose lack of footballing philosophy and character ultimately cost him the job.
Former Juventus boss Igor Tudor has signed a deal until the end of the season to steady the ship as Tottenham teeter dangerously close to the relegation zone.
However, reports from Brazil suggest Spurs targeted one of South America’s most decorated managers before eventually settling for Tudor.
Abel Ferreira rejects Tottenham’s advances
Abel Ferreira has been in charge of Palmeiras since 2020 and has won ten major honours with the club, including two Copa Libertadores trophies.
He is a respected figure in South America and holds a close bond with Palmeiras due to his recent exploits with the club.
According to ESPN Brazil, Tottenham made contact with Ferreira two weeks before sacking Frank.
However, the Portuguese manager made it abundantly clear to the club that he has no intention of leaving Palmeiras, due to which Spurs swiftly moved on to other candidates.
The report also notes that Ferreira rejected Nottingham Forest and Wolves in recent months, signaling his satisfaction in Brazil and his refusal to leave unless offered a convincing project.
Media reports linked Robbie Keane with a return to Tottenham, but the club dismissed the Irishman as a serious candidate after he demanded a permanent contract.
Who could Tottenham appoint permanently?
Tudor is mostly only seen as a firefighter as opposed to a long-term choice, so it remains unlikely he gets the job permanently.
The Croatian has a proven track record of giving clubs instant impetus in the short-term, which could bode well for Spurs as they are currently 16th in the Premier League.
They are also alive in the UEFA Champions League, and with clubs across the world currently not viewing Spurs as a candidate, they could well cause a surprise or two.
In the summer, however, a handful of candidates are set to be considered before naming a permanent manager.
As things stand, Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto de Zerbi have keen admirers at Tottenham, while the likes of Edin Terzic and Marco Rose have also been mentioned as candidates.
No decision is expected be made before the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, giving the club plenty of time to make the right call.
In the meantime, though, Tudor will focus on steadying the ship, with his first taste of Premier League football set come next week against Arsenal in the North London derby.
