Tottenham have struck a deal with former Juventus boss Igor Tudor to take over until the end of the season.
Former Croatia international defender Tudor, 47, fits the Spurs brief with vast experience and a reputation for making an impact at short notice.
He is expected to be in the role by the time the players return on Monday for training for the first time since Thomas Frank was sacked.
If he can provide the bounce that would lift them clear of the relegation battle he will be a candidate for the job on a permanent basis in the summer.
Spurs chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange, who have led the search, want to consider a wider pool of candidates in the summer for the next permanent head coach.
Former Juventus manager Igor Tudor is taking the Tottenham job until the end of the season
Frank was sacked on Wednesday, less than 12 hours after a defeat at home to Newcastle.
Spurs are five points clear of the relegation zone. Their next game is at home to Arsenal on Sunday week, by which time West Ham will have closed the gap to two points if they beat Bournemouth at home, 24 hours before the North London derby.
Venkatesham and Lange have no margin for error in the first managerial appointment since Daniel Levy was ousted as the club’s executive chairman.
Spurs have lost a strong network of football connections with the exit of Levy in September and co sporting director Fabio Paratici, earlier this month.
Tudor was sacked by Juventus in October after seven months at the helm. He replaced Thiago Motta and led Juve to finish fourth in Serie A and qualify for the Champions League.
