Back-to-back positive results proved to be nothing more than the falsest of dawns for Igor Tudor, who's returned to the hot seat after Sunday's 3-0 defeat to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest.
The fanbase most certainly showed up for the six-pointer, with a fervent atmosphere akin to a major outing on the continent generated in N17. It was supposed to be a bloody good day, and it really would've been had the Lilywhites just not performed as they have for much of 2025/26.
The momentum built from a hard-earned point at Anfield and a feel-good win over Atlético Madrid has been sapped in one fell swoop. The performance was bright enough early, but Tudor's panicked half-time substitutions ultimately inhibited his team's chances of restoring parity after Igor Jesus headed the visitors into the lead. The decision to bench Xavi Simons after his excellent showing midweek was also questionable.
West Ham United's defeat at Aston Villa means we remain a point clear of the drop zone, but a position worse off. The situation remains perilous, with the level of our performance despite several players returning from injury the most concerning aspect.
So, after a week when many of us were starting to enjoy Tudor's Tottenham, questions have understandably resurfaced regarding his capacity to keep Spurs in the top flight.
Adi Hütter is the latest manager to be linked with Tottenham job
After such an exuberant midweek showing, to lose in the manner we did on Sunday was so utterly deflating. I'm not going to question their spirit or attitude, they just appeared utterly toothless in the face of a determined Forest backline after falling behind.
Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison, save us, please.
The former could be back in action right after the break, but there's a good chance the Ghanaian features for the first time since January under Tudor's successor. If the club lost faith after Sunday, they've at least been gifted the perfect opportunity to cut ties. Our next outing isn't until 12 April.
According to The Telegraph, "contingency plans" are being considered. Curiously, though, the man who's suddenly been thrust to the top of our thinking is the out-of-work Adi Hütter, who was sacked by Monaco, somewhat harshly, last October.
I like Hütter, but he's absolutely not the man I'd be turning to with seven games to go in the heat of a relegation scrap. Tudor at least had firefighting experience, Hütter would like to regard himself as more of a 'project' coach who preaches high-octane, vertical football.
If we are to part ways with Tudor, who tragically lost his father over the weekend, I think we have to turn to someone with a connection to the club. Admittedly, those options aren't the most enticing, and we saw on Sunday that even when supporters, players and manager felt somewhat in tune with one another, it wasn't enough.
There's risk associated with all options, including a 79-year-old Harry Redknapp, but I reckon I'd prefer the bloke who's almost had a decade out of the game than Hütter at this stage.