Send for former Spurs firefighter?published at 16:36 BST
16:36 BST
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer
Image source, Getty Images
Who can realistically step in for what is now a firefighting job?
Former manager Harry Redknapp has indicated his willingness to return, but is now 79 and has not worked in management since being sacked by Birmingham City in May 2017. He was sacked by Spurs 14 years ago and calling for him would surely smack of desperation.
Redknapp has said Spurs “know where I am.” It would be a sign of their plight should they go to find him.
Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle has also suggested he would be interested, but once again this would be a dip into the distant past.
Hoddle, now a respected television pundit, is 68, but was sacked as Spurs manager in September 2003. The last post the former England manager occupied was with Wolverhampton Wanderers, leaving in July 2006.
Ryan Mason, sacked by West Bromwich Albion in January, is a well-respected and popular figure having twice served as Spurs’ caretaker manager following the sackings of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, but his reputation took a hit during an unrewarding spell at The Hawthorns.
After that disappointment, would Spurs turn to him? Would he even want to walk into such an ominous situation?
Tim Sherwood, the former player who left Spurs in May 2014 after a six-month spell as permanent head coach, has made it clear he fancies the job, saying: “I would keep them in the Premier League. I believe that someone with common sense keeps them in the Premier League.”
Robbie Keane, currently at Ferencvaros in Hungary, falls into the category of the younger up-and-coming manager, but would the former Spurs captain leave a full-time job for a new post that might only extend to seven games.