Igor Tudor has been slammed despite recording his first win since his appointment as Tottenham's interim head coach, with his actions described as 'unnecessary'
Former Tottenham midfielder Andy Reid has criticised Igor Tudor for walking straight down the tunnel rather than clapping the supporters following Wednesday's 3-2 win against Atletico Madrid.
Tudor, 47, recorded his first win as the club's interim head coach after beating Atletico at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Although Spurs still bowed out of the Champions League with a 7-5 aggregate defeat across the two-legged tie, it was a much-needed success for Tudor after a disastrous start to life in north London.
But Tudor decided against thanking the Tottenham fans for their support on the pitch after the win against Atletico, opting to instead storm down the tunnel and get to the changing room before the rest of his players.
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After spotting that from Tudor, ex-Spurs man Reid admitted he would have preferred the Croatian to clap the supporters after an improved performance and the fans producing an atmosphere to match it.
"I thought it was a bit unnecessary from Tudor [to walk straight through the tunnel]," Reid told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He hasn't had great success yet so you pick up a win tonight, let's get the fans on board and give them a clap so when they turn up here on Sunday they are behind the team.
"He's lost from a tie and is out of the Champions League but he needs to take any positivity he can get. If you look at what Atletico Madrid did, they knew they had the advantage so didn't really go after the game which gave Tottenham the opportunity to get something.
"It will be completely different on Sunday, two teams that are really struggling to find form."
Tudor was appointed as Thomas Frank's replacement last month and had lost each of his first four matches in charge against Arsenal, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Atletico. But Tudor, who had come under increased pressure following the Champions League Round of 16 first leg defeat in Madrid last Tuesday, managed to get a tune out of his players for the trip to Liverpool on Sunday, and was able to secure his side a 1-1 draw.
The performance at Anfield was much improved and Tottenham were able to take that into the second leg against Atletico. Spurs took the lead on the night through Randal Kolo Muani but were pegged back just after half-time as former Manchester City man Julian Alvarez fired home from the edge of the box.
Xavi Simons put Tottenham back in front with a terrific strike, before Atletico responded once more with David Hancko equalising for a second time. Spurs did, however, find a way to win as Simons added his second of the night from the penalty spot, even if it didn't matter to the overall outcome with Atletico going through.
"It's nice, the sensation, the feelings are mixed," Tudor said post-match. "We're out but one very good team on the pitch, one very good performance of the players and energy. It was really nice that the fans recognised that the team did everything they could do. They were with us from the start and I thank them for that."
Next up for Tudor and Tottenham is a critical Premier League game against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Spurs sit 16th in the table, one place and one point above 17th-place Forest.