As things stand, the club say Tudor, the former Juventus manager, will take the team for the Champions League round-of-16 first leg against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday. Spurs play Liverpool a week on Sunday at Anfield and then have a critical home game against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest the following Sunday, March 22.
After that they have three weeks until their next Premier League game away at Sunderland on April 12, which looks like a natural break for a new manager to be installed. There could also be a Champions League quarter-final first leg to play in that period. Spurs may feel that they cannot wait until after the Forest game, if they are to make a change.
The major question facing Spurs would be: who? There are few takers for the stigma of potentially being the man who takes Spurs down from the top flight for the first time in 49 years. All coaches would want the security of a long-term deal.
Former managers including Harry Redknapp, Glenn Hoddle and Tim Sherwood have been mentioned by supporters and pundits, but it remains to be seen whether any would be viable given the length of time they have spent out of the game.
The question of whether Tudor stays will sit with Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange – who would make a recommendation to the Lewis family representative Nick Beucher in Florida.
He is married to the granddaughter of patriarch Joe Lewis, and is the chief executive of the Tavistock Group – the Lewis family investment vehicle. Spurs are controlled outside of Tavistock by the Lewis family trust, and Beucher, married to Joanna Silverton, daughter of Vivienne Lewis, oversees the club.
Tudor brusquely batted away questions about his future after the 3-1 defeat by Palace in which captain Micky van de Ven was dismissed.
Asked whether the hierarchy would keep faith in him, Tudor said: “I don’t think in that direction. I have my job to do and that’s all.”
Pushed on whether he would be in charge for the next game, Tudor said, “No comment on that question.”
If Tottenham do survive, then De Zerbi, who left Marseille by mutual consent in February, could be a long-term option.
He has been of interest to Manchester United and is understood to be keen on the Old Trafford job, and already figures prominently on their shortlist as they also decide on who will be their next permanent head coach.
De Zerbi took over at Marseille in the summer of 2024 after leaving Brighton and Hove Albion, where he spent just under two years in charge. He led Marseille to second in Ligue 1 last season, but has also made no secret of the fact that he would like to, one day, manage again in the Premier League at a leading club.
De Zerbi’s stock remains high with senior figures at United – and Spurs – admiring his front-foot-style of attacking football and how he wants his teams to dominate the ball. He also has admirers at Manchester City, where he has built a friendship with Pep Guardiola.