Tottenham Hotspur have appointed Igor Tudor as interim manager until the end of the season, effective immediately. The move comes just three days after the dismissal of Thomas Frank, a decision prompted by a dismal run of form that has left the club precariously positioned in the Premier League.
The appointment, confirmed on , sees Tudor tasked with steering Tottenham away from the relegation zone. Currently 16th in the league, Spurs hold a mere five-point advantage over the drop, making the remainder of the season a fight for survival.
“It is an honour to join this club at an important moment,” Tudor stated. “I understand the responsibility I have been handed and my focus is clear. To bring greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every match.”
Frank’s departure followed a 2-1 defeat against Newcastle, a result that laid bare the team’s struggles. He had been in charge for just seven months, inheriting a team with aspirations of European football but overseeing a decline that ultimately proved fatal to his tenure. The club opted for an experienced short-term solution, believing Tudor’s track record of quickly impacting struggling teams made him the ideal candidate.
Tudor’s managerial career has been characterized by a nomadic, yet often impactful, approach. He has managed ten different clubs, spanning six different leagues, rarely staying at a single post for more than a season. However, his resume includes notable successes in stabilizing teams facing challenging circumstances. He previously guided Lazio to a seventh-place finish and secured Champions League qualification with Juventus during a late-season turnaround in 2025.
Sporting director Johan Lange emphasized Tudor’s ability to deliver immediate results. “Igor brings clarity, intensity and experience of stepping into challenging moments and producing impact,” Lange said. “Our objective is straightforward – to stabilise performances, maximise the quality within the squad and compete strongly in the Premier League and Champions League.”
While Tudor’s appointment offers a degree of stability, it’s a temporary fix. The club has made it clear there is no option to extend his contract beyond the summer, indicating a thorough search for a permanent manager will commence at the end of the season. Names like Mauricio Pochettino are expected to be considered, offering a potential return to a manager popular with the fanbase.
Tudor’s immediate challenge is daunting. His first match in charge is a North London derby against league leaders Arsenal on . Adding to the complexity, Tottenham will be without up to twelve players for the crucial fixture, including captain Cristian Romero through suspension.
The Croatian coach is familiar with several members of the Spurs squad, having previously worked with Randal Kolo Muani at Juventus and having coached Radu Dragusin, Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski in the past. However, Bentancur and Kulusevski are currently sidelined with injuries, further complicating team selection.
Tudor’s tactical preferences lean towards a three-man defensive system with wing-backs, a formation he has successfully implemented in previous roles. His ability to quickly instill a clear tactical identity will be crucial in addressing Tottenham’s defensive vulnerabilities, which have been a significant factor in their recent struggles.
Throughout his career, Tudor has demonstrated a knack for quickly diagnosing problems and implementing solutions. His win percentages across various clubs – Hajduk Split (44.9%), Paok (37.78%), Karabukspor (38.1%), Galatasaray (55.9%), Udinese (42.3%), Verona (38.9%), Marseille (56.3%), Lazio (54.6%), and Juventus (41.7%) – illustrate a consistent ability to improve team performance, even if his tenures are often short-lived.
However, his track record also reveals a pattern of departures, often following disagreements with club hierarchy or a perceived lack of long-term vision. Tottenham’s leadership will need to carefully manage the relationship with Tudor to ensure his interim spell is productive and doesn’t further destabilize the club.
The appointment of Tudor represents a calculated gamble by Tottenham. While his experience in navigating challenging situations is undeniable, his lack of Premier League experience and the short-term nature of his contract raise questions about the long-term direction of the club. For now, the focus is solely on survival, and Tudor has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading Tottenham away from the looming threat of relegation.
