Igor Tudor is taking the reins at Tottenham Hotspur as the club attempts to avoid its first relegation, with the 47-year-old being announced as manager for the remainder of the season.
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The Croatian manager has a wealth of experience, having managed nine different clubs throughout his career, while also earning 55 caps for the Croatian national team during his playing days, which included spells at Hajduk Split, Juventus, Siena, and Trogir.
Spurs parted ways with Thomas Frank earlier this week, with the team currently five points clear of the relegation zone.
Statements from Johan Lange and Igor Tudor on the appointment
Click here for the full statement
Igor has joined the club with a clear mission: to elevate performance, secure results, and climb the Premier League standings. His goal is straightforward—instill structure, intensity, and a competitive spirit within the team during this critical phase of the season.
Upon his appointment, Igor expressed: “It is a privilege to join this club at such a crucial time. I fully comprehend the responsibility that comes with this role, and my focus is unwavering. I aim to bring more consistency to our performances and compete rigorously in every match.”
“The talent in this squad is strong, and my job is to organize, energize, and quickly enhance our results.”
Sporting Director Johan Lange remarked on the decision: “Igor offers clarity, intensity, and the experience needed to make a significant impact in challenging situations. Our primary goal is to stabilize performances, leverage the squad’s quality, and compete fiercely in both the Premier League and Champions League.”
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Who is Igor Tudor, Tottenham’s interim manager?
Tudor rose to prominence as a manager at Hajduk Split, where he won the Croatian Cup in 2012-13. His managerial journey has seen him travel through various European leagues, achieving strong winning percentages but never managing over 48 games at a single club.
He has held positions at PAOK, Karabukspor, and Galatasaray, securing a 56% win rate at the latter before taking on a four-game stint at Udinese that successfully kept the club above the relegation zone. He returned to the club the following season.
After a brief return to Hajduk Split, Tudor managed Hellas Verona, Marseille, Lazio, and Juventus. Throughout his career, he has maintained a win percentage above 37.78%, often reaching or surpassing 50%.
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Beyond Udinese, Tudor’s teams have consistently achieved positive goal differentials. However, no position he has held has lasted a full year since his initial tenure at Hajduk ended in 2015. His history suggests he can identify and tackle issues effectively, but sustaining long-term success has proven more challenging. The current situation at Spurs largely hinges on player health—perhaps Tudor will also serve as a rejuvenator for both bodies and minds.