Igor Tudor appointed as Tottenham manager, replacing Thomas Frank, until the end of the season
Tottenham Hotspur announced on Saturday the appointment of Croatian coach Igor Tudor as the first team's manager on a contract that extends until the end of the current season, in a move aimed at saving the Spurs' season and correcting the course following the departure of Danish coach Thomas Frank.
Contract details and club statement
In an official statement published on the London club's website, Tottenham confirmed the agreement with Tudor, noting that he would take over subject to the completion of work permit procedures. The statement read: "We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Igor Tudor as head coach of the men's team until the end of the season. Igor joins us with the clear objective of improving performances, achieving positive results, and climbing the Premier League table by bringing more organization, enthusiasm, and competitiveness to the squad at a crucial stage of the season.".
Tudor: A great honor and a huge responsibility
In his first statement after taking over, the former Juventus defender expressed his pride in the move, saying, "It's a great honor for me to join this club at such a crucial moment." The Croatian coach, known for his tactical discipline, added, "I am aware of the responsibility on my shoulders, and my focus is clear: to achieve greater consistency in our performances and compete confidently in every match. This team has high-quality players, and my task is to organize them, motivate them, and quickly improve our results.".
Training background and Tudor philosophy
Igor Tudor's selection is based on his reputation as a coach with a strong personality and a philosophy of high pressing and direct play, traits he honed during his coaching career at prominent European clubs. Tudor previously managed French club Olympique Marseille, leading them to a third-place finish in Ligue 1, and also had successful stints in Serie A with Hellas Verona and Udinese, in addition to serving as an assistant at Juventus. Tudor is known for his strict dressing room approach, which could be the missing element Tottenham needs to instill tactical discipline at this crucial stage.
Tottenham's difficult situation in the Premier League
This move comes at a time when the London club is suffering a worrying decline in results, with Tottenham currently sitting in 16th place in the Premier League table with just 29 points. The team is only five points above the relegation zone, a position unbecoming of the club's history and the aspirations of its vast fan base. The Spurs' management is relying on Tudor's experience in handling pressure to pull the team out of this predicament and secure their place in the top flight, while also attempting to improve their position in the remaining matches to avoid a potential sporting and financial disaster.
