Ben Davies Emerges as Potential Interim Player-Manager for Tottenham
(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur’s defender Ben Davies is being considered as a candidate for the interim player-manager position.
Following the recent departure of Igor Tudor, Tottenham’s second managerial change this season, reports suggest the club is looking at seven candidates, including the experienced Welshman, to steer them during this critical relegation fight.
Currently, Tottenham finds itself in 17th place, merely one point above the relegation zone, and has notably not secured a win in any match throughout 2026.
With the team on a winless streak of 13 league games, the management appears open to a short-term appointment, especially if they are unable to persuade Roberto De Zerbi to join the club immediately.
Davies Brings Unique Qualifications for Interim Role
Although it is uncommon for current players to step into managerial roles amidst a relegation struggle, Davies possesses the qualifications that may facilitate this transition.
The 32-year-old has been with Tottenham since 2014 and has been preparing for a coaching career behind the scenes for several years. In March 2024, he received his UEFA A and Elite Youth A Licenses, managing to balance his playing career with coaching responsibilities at the Tottenham Hotspur Academy.
Although currently recovering from a fractured ankle incurred in January, Davies remains the most tenured member of the squad and is seen as a cohesive influence who deeply understands the club’s ethos.
If appointed, he would join a select group of individuals who have managed while still playing in the Premier League, such as Sir Kenny Dalglish, who famously led Liverpool to a Double as player-manager, and Ryan Giggs, who briefly managed Manchester United while continuing to play in 2014.
Given the critical nature of the club’s Premier League survival, the expectations for Davies would be notably intense. Tottenham is staring down the possibility of its lowest points total since 1915, prompting the board to also evaluate seasoned managers like Sean Dyche, along with former figures Harry Redknapp and Glenn Hoddle.
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