Record-Breaking English Manager Delivers Brutal Dig at Tottenham: 'They Should Have Took Me'
Tottenham Hotspur are facing criticism from multiple directions during their current struggles, with ex-Premier League boss Neil Warnock being the most recent to offer his commentary.
The 77-year-old has recently accepted his 21st coaching position in England's sixth division with Torquay United in a temporary capacity, having previously managed the coastal club briefly in 1993.
His extraordinary coaching journey began in 1980 at Gainsborough Trinity, and he would go on to experience top-level football, achieving a record eighth promotion with Cardiff City in 2018.
Great to see you @warnockofficial!#tufc | #TORFAR pic.twitter.com/oQEImQadK6
The engaging and sharp-tongued Warnock dedicated only a fraction of his nearly five-decade coaching journey to top-flight management, and his current role at Torquay allows him to expand his record-setting tally of 1,626 professional matches overseen in English football.
Always confident in his abilities, Warnock, in conversation with The Guardian, quipped after a 3–0 loss to Ebbsfleet United that rather than concluding what will likely be his final coaching appointment in the National League South, he should have been given the opportunity to rescue Spurs from their troubles.
"They should have took me at Tottenham, shouldn't they?"
Igor Tudor Already on the Brink at Spurs
Igor Tudor Already on the Brink at Spurs
Warnock, naturally, wasn't genuinely considered for the Spurs position, despite the Englishman's standing as a skilled people manager. He demonstrated his continued effectiveness at Huddersfield Town as recently as 2023, preventing the Terriers from Championship demotion.
His Premier League record is notably less stellar, however.
Still, rather than choosing a contemporary Warnock-style manager like Sean Dyche following Thomas Frank's departure last month, Tottenham pursued an unconventional approach by following a suggestion from former sporting director Fabio Paratici.
Igor Tudor has previously managed successful brief tenures at Udinese, Lazio, Hellas Verona and Marseille, and also orchestrated an instant turnaround at Juventus following Thiago Motta's dismissal last March.
Spurs believed that, despite his lack of Premier League experience, Tudor would provide the new perspective needed to spark a revival amid unexpected relegation concerns. They maintained a five-point safety margin when he took charge temporarily, but now sit just one point above the relegation zone following three consecutive losses.
With matches against Atlético Madrid and Liverpool approaching, The Telegraph is among the publications suggesting Tudor's tenure may be short-lived. Should the club decide to make a change, the dilemma will be whether Spurs opt for another temporary appointment, possibly someone with club connections, or Frank's permanent replacement.
Available manager Roberto De Zerbi has been mentioned as a possibility, but many fans are hoping for Mauricio Pochettino's return, though he won't be free until after the World Cup due to his USMNT responsibilities.