Tottenham fans can expect to be thoroughly entertained by new interim boss Igor Tudor, according to one of his former players at Udinese.
Spurs appoint Tudor as new boss implements grand plan
While Tudor is very much an emergency stop-gap until a romantic Spurs reunion with Mauricio Pochettino potentially becomes alive after the World Cup, this appointment has definitely turned heads.
The 47-year-old has already overhauled Tottenham's entire backroom, bringing in his own personnel, and let go of assistant coach John Heitinga, who left after just 32 days in the role.
The no-nonsense former Juventus, Marseille and Udinese boss has a reputation for firefighting, and a deserved one.
Tudor rescued Champions League qualification for Juve, before being sacked this season, and it was a similar story at Lazio in 2024.
He also spared Udinese's relegation blushes on two separate occasions, with the tactician practically a Croatian Sam Allardyce but with proven top-level European experience.
That being said, there is every reason to believe his brand of football actually aligns perfectly with the 'Tottenham way', at least according to former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong.
The ex-Udinese defender worked under Tudor twice during his Serie A spell and reckons the Croatian's fearless approach represents exactly what Spurs desperately need following their nightmare campaign threatening relegation.
Igor Tudor tipped to 'shake up' Tottenham with 'exciting' and 'high risk' change
Troost-Ekong insists Tudor's biggest strength isn't tactical nuance but rather his enormous personality capable of shaking complacent squads awake.
Speaking to TalkSPORT on Sunday, Troost-Ekong revealed what supporters can expect when Tudor faces Arsenal in the crucial north London derby.
The tactician arrives with zero Premier League experience but carries a fearsome reputation.
"We had him two times at Udinese," he said on talkSPORT.
"He's a manager that likes to play 3-5-2 or a variation of it from what my experience was.
"Attacking football, high back line, tries to press high, can be quite direct. He's definitely a personality, so if they need someone to shake up the place and get everyone going, then he's definitely the right person for it."
The Nigerian played under Tudor during two separate spells whilst battling relegation at Udinese.
Tudor initially saved the club from dropping into Serie B during the 2018/19 campaign before returning for another firefighting mission the following season.
Although eventually sacked ten games into his second tenure following poor results, Tudor demonstrated enough during those periods to convince Troost-Ekong he possesses the character required for navigating Tottenham's current crisis.
"A big personality and he's going to get everyone trying to run through a brick wall. I think that's probably been my experience with him.", Troost-Ekong continued.
"I think for Spurs at this moment in time he'll work a lot with the back line. There was a lot of tactical work that we did. Maybe if they're going to switch it up now to a 3-5-2, that would probably be the first thing.
"I think also the high pressing and maybe more exciting football. I think the stadium probably needs something to get them out of their seats again. He's definitely the person for that."
However, Troost-Ekong issued a significant warning alongside his praise. Tudor's aggressive tactics promise entertainment but carry enormous risk, particularly against elite opposition capable of exploiting spaces left behind advancing wing-backs and aggressive centre-backs.
"You'll probably see a lot of goals but there could be some conceded as well, because you play with quite a high risk in the high line.
"That will probably be his biggest difference I would say, and try and get everyone to run forward as much as they can really."
Whether Tudor's gung-ho philosophy suits Tottenham's current predicament remains questionable.
The club needs points urgently rather than spectacular defeats, yet Troost-Ekong is convinced that Tudor's forceful personality might prove more valuable than conservative tactics given how Spurs collapsed under Thomas Frank.