Tottenham coach Igor Tudor missed media duties following his team's 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Monday (AEDT) because of a family bereavement.
Britain's Press Association said Tudor was informed of the bereavement in his "immediate family" after full time.
His assistant Bruno Saltor carried out post-match interviews in Tudor's absence.
Football's new home, Stan Sport, is the only place to watch the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, WSL, European World Cup qualifiers, J.League, NSWL and K League
"It's a personal family issue and obviously it's a difficult moment for him," Saltor said.
The home defeat left Tottenham one place and one point above the relegation zone.
Tottenham - one of English football's most iconic teams and a founding member of the Premier League - are still without a win in the top flight in 2026.
Their last win was on December 28 and they have lost six of their last seven games.
Spurs have been ever-present in England's top division since the inception of the Premier League in 1992.
"Every mistake right now is going against us, every detail is going against us and it affects the players as well," Saltor said.
"You can see how much they are fighting. We are in a difficult situation, everyone knows. In the first half we were the better team and need to be consistent with that."
Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awoniyi were Forest's goal scorers.
"It hurts us, it is painful, really painful, but the fans were outstanding today - from before the game until the end of the game," Saltor said.
"We need to carry on because we care, we care for Spurs, we are family and want to get out of this situation. I am 100 per cent sure we can get through this situation."
Gibbs-White, a summer target for Spurs, slotted home just after the hour mark and substitute Awoniyi added a late tap-in to send Spurs fans streaming for the exits.
Those remaining in a half-empty stadium booed loudly at the final whistle.
Forest's win – their first in the league under coach Vitor Pereira – puts them 16th with 32 points from 31 games, two points above Spurs in 17th on 30 points.
"It's absolutely a huge result," Gibbs-White told Sky Sports.
"There was a lot of worry going into this game and about the outcome. But the boys were incredible. We defended with our lives today."