Igor Tudor is set to take on the role of interim head coach at Tottenham Hotspur for the remainder of the season. While the final details are yet to be concluded, a verbal agreement is already in place with the former Juventus manager. Tudor is expected to return to Croatia briefly before commencing training early next week in preparation for Spurs’ upcoming North London derby against Premier League leaders Arsenal on February 22.
Tottenham is currently positioned 16th in the Premier League, just five points clear of the relegation zone, having struggled with only two victories in their last 17 league outings. This interim appointment comes in the wake of the departure of Thomas Frank, who left the club following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Newcastle.
The club is aiming to secure a permanent head coach who can deliver immediate results. Tudor’s previous experiences bolster his candidacy; he successfully managed both Juventus and Lazio in March over the last two seasons, demonstrating an ability to stabilize teams amidst challenging circumstances.
At Juventus, Tudor came on board when the team was in disarray, having lost consecutive matches and facing elimination from major competitions. However, he led the squad to a fourth-place finish in Serie A, achieving Champions League qualification while only losing one of eleven matches. Though his tenure at Juventus concluded abruptly due to a decline in results, he left an impression through his swift impact.
Similarly, at Lazio, Tudor managed to turn fortunes around after taking over from Maurizio Sarri, securing five wins in nine matches which culminated in a seventh-place finish and qualification for the Europa League. His brief but effective leadership has made him a favorable choice for Spurs, who are keen on restoring their competitive edge as they look ahead to a busy match schedule.
The upcoming derby against Arsenal not only represents a significant challenge but also an opportunity for Tudor to galvanize the Tottenham squad and initiate a turnaround. With games lined up against teams such as Fulham, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, and Nottingham Forest, there is hope that Tudor’s expertise will help the team regain its footing in the league.