Former Torino goalkeeper Joe Hart criticized Igor Tudor for substituting Antonin Kinsky just 17 minutes into the match between Atletico Madrid and Tottenham, stating, “Even Gigi Buffon has bad nights.”
Once again, Tudor is under scrutiny after Tottenham faced a 5-2 defeat against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
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Hart Comments on Kinsky’s Early Substitution in Atletico Madrid Match
Tudor made a surprising decision to start Kinsky instead of Italy international Guglielmo Vicario. However, after the 22-year-old made two costly mistakes that contributed to Atletico Madrid’s goals, the Spurs manager quickly reversed his decision and brought Vicario back into the game.
“To reach this level and be signed by Spurs, one error shouldn’t define you,” Hart, a former goalkeeper for Torino, shared with TNT Sports via The Sun.
“That was a technical mistake, but what happened leading up to it… was it the right call? Perhaps. But what I witnessed afterward…”
“I dislike being reactive since I prefer to have all the details. However, the fact that he took him off in that circumstance after having played him… he’s young, only 22, and he hasn’t done anything to hurt Spurs.”
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Tudor faced significant criticism, even from Italy, where former West Ham striker Paolo Di Canio implied that Tudor’s management of his goalkeepers during the match could have have serious consequences for his coaching career.
“Kinsky experienced a few rough moments, but to pull him out in this scenario without acknowledging him?” Hart continued. “Every player at Tottenham is feeling the impact and doesn’t know how to respond. How is that beneficial for him?”
“It’s a well-known fact for goalkeepers that you must accept that there will be tough nights. Everyone has them—Buffon, Neuer, Schmeichel.”
TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Igor Tudor, Head Coach of Juventus, gestures during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Atalanta BC at the Allianz Stadium on September 27, 2025, in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
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“These things happen in football, but the way Kinsky has been treated by management needs serious attention. It was madness. Perhaps he didn’t manage it as he should have.”
“I could see the bench’s morale drop. They seemed to be saying, ‘Don’t worry, we are here for you.’”
epa03280280 Italy’s Andrea Pirlo (L) scores against England goalkeeper Joe Hart (R) during the penalty shootout of the quarterfinal match of UEFA EURO 2012 between England and Italy in Kiev, Ukraine, June 24, 2012. Italy won 4-2 after the penalty shootout. EPA/SRDJAN SUKI UEFA Terms and Conditions apply Link
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“It’s about the human aspect. If you refuse to acknowledge it, that’s when divisions start to form.”
Currently, Tudor has lost all four of his matches as Tottenham’s head coach and is on the verge of being dismissed in North London.
He was let go by Juventus at the end of October and was appointed by Spurs on February 14.