Tottenham Threaten to Hijack Manchester United Pursuit of Roberto De Zerbi as Igor Tudor Facing Immediate Dismissal

Tottenham could ruin Manchester United's plans for Roberto De Zerbi as Igor Tudor faces the sack following three straight losses in North London.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 7:22 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Football365

The Vulnerability of a Caretaker Success Story

Despite a resurgent run under Michael Carrick, Manchester United’s long-term managerial plans remain in a state of flux. Carrick, who replaced Ruben Amorim in January, has guided the Red Devils to third in the Premier League with six wins from his first eight matches. While this "new manager bounce" has revitalized the fanbase, reports suggest that INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are hesitant to name him the permanent successor before the summer. This uncertainty has allowed rival clubs to circle United’s primary external targets, most notably former Brighton and Napoli manager Roberto De Zerbi, who is viewed as a high-priority option for the Old Trafford hierarchy.

Tottenham’s Defensive Collapse Under Igor Tudor

The situation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has reached an emergency level following the appointment of Igor Tudor. Tasked with steadying the ship after Thomas Frank's departure, Tudor has instead overseen three consecutive losses, leaving Spurs just one point above the relegation zone. This catastrophic form has reportedly forced the Tottenham board to consider an immediate permanent hire rather than waiting for the season's end. As Tudor’s position "hangs by a thread," Spurs are reportedly ready to move aggressively for De Zerbi, a move that would directly disrupt Manchester United’s planned summer recruitment.

De Zerbi as the Preferred External Candidate

According to GiveMeSport, Roberto De Zerbi is currently one of United's "preferred" candidates should they decide to move past the Carrick era. Unlike other names on the shortlist—such as Julian Nagelsmann and Roberto Martinez—De Zerbi is not bound by World Cup commitments with a national team this summer. This availability makes him the most practical choice for a club looking to finalize its leadership before the June 11 World Cup kickoff. However, the Italian is reportedly open to "face-to-face talks" with Tottenham, sensing an opportunity to return to the Premier League ahead of schedule.