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A new interim era begins at Spurs after Thomas Frank’s sacking

Long road ahead: Johan Lange

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Dom Smith

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Tottenham sporting director Johan Lange says he accepts his responsibility for Tottenham’s poor season and opened up on how the leadership structure at the club actually works — as well as revealing the club’s wage bill must increase.

Lange sat down with newspaper journalists on Friday for his first interview with the written press in England since an exclusive interview with Standard Sport in October 2024.

It has been an intense few weeks at Tottenham, where Thomas Frank’s sacking with the club 16th in the Premier League has been followed by the swift appointment of Igor Tudor as interim head coach until the summer. There was no plan B in place at Spurs, where Frank’s disastrous eight-month reign has left the club shot of confidence, languishing five points above the drop zone, and with a raft of injuries to contend with.

“The role of the sporting director on the continent is a little bit different than it is here,” Lange said.

“But, of course, it's a role that is evolving more and more, gets more and more responsibilities. That is why also I believe that it's important that we, as sporting directors, take the opportunity to communicate more directly to the fans [through the media].”

Lange joined Tottenham in October 2023 initially as a technical director but has since been promoted to sporting director, where he says: “I report to Vinai [Venkatesham, Spurs’ chief executive] and Vinai reports to the board. That is the chain of command. I speak with Vinai several times a day.”

New boss: Igor Tudor

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Tottenham have a much lower wage bill than other top clubs and that is believed to have held them back when trying to compete at the top table over the past decade and longer.

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Lange said: “I think Vinai in his notes earlier this year made it known in the matchday programme that we, as a club, need to grow our wage bill to be competitive.

“We were also linked [with players], and it was definitely not because of a lack of efforts from our side that those players are not here today.”

The Dane said “a few candidates” were interviewed for the interim role besides Tudor, who “impressed us very, very much in the interview”.

“With his reputation and what he’s done in his career, of course, if things go well, he could be here for a long time,” Lange continued.

Lange insisted it was not “relevant” whether Fabio Paratici used his connection with Tudor to hire him before leaving as sporting director to join Fiorentina last month.

“I think the rest of the season is to get as high as possible in the Premier League table and be super competitive in the Champions League,” he said. “We know that we need to get higher in the table.”

Style of play remains high up the club’s list of priorities for the summer’s permanent appointment, he emphasised. “We [aim] to create a team that can play dominant football and that can control the matches with the ball. That is how the top teams normally are successful.

“We are also a club with a rich history of having some of the best offensive players in the world and having a very particular style of play that resonates. Of course, that is something that is important for us here.”

Ex-Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou said in a recent interview that he had wanted Antoine Semenyo and others in the summer of 2024, but the club had not signed them. Lange defended the club’s efforts, heavily suggesting Semenyo had rejected a move. In January, he signed for Manchester City from Bournemouth for £65million.

“Of course, actions is the only thing [that matters]. But when you are in any transaction, it does take three parties. It takes a player to agree and we are not in control if a player makes a career choice to join another club, then that is unfortunately outside our control.”

Lange insists the immediate turnaround of results is the current priority, not Tudor’s long-term future, and he refused to be drawn on the suggestion Mauricio Pochettino could be poised for a romantic return to the club in the summer.

“It’s a good question,” he said when asked why an injury-ravaged Spurs did not make more signings in January. “I think 10 per cent of all transfers happen in January and 90 per cent happen in the summer.

“What is very important to say is that on the one hand, we have a short squad and on the other hand, we also had players who could not be registered for European competitions — because we have too many players.

“It is without a doubt, especially during the month of January, that we had too many injuries. Every time we played we lost players. It’s something we are constantly reviewing with the greatest level of seriousness.”

Suspended: Cristian Romero

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Lange, who is on a standard employment contract with no set end date, added: “I, of course, accept my responsibility at all times. But every decision that I make and we have made has been in the best interests of the club.

Captain Cristian Romero came in for widespread criticism for twice speaking out against the club on social media this season, most recently labelling Spurs’ squad depth as “disgraceful”.

He serves the second of four matches suspended in Sunday’s north London derby following his second Premier League red card of the season. But Lange would not discuss the Argentine’s disciplinary issues and what he made of it.

“Romero is here, he is our captain,” he said. “He is here on a long-term contract with the club and that is my comment.

“I think we have been clear as a club that we have dealt with that internally and now it is about being together, all of us and finish the season here in the best possible way in the league and in Europe as well.”

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Igor Tudor is ready to do away with the term “Spursy” and expectations about a certain style of play as he declared an “emergency situation” at Tottenham.

The new Spurs head coach faced none other than their top-of-the-league North London rivals Arsenal in his first match in charge on Sunday.

Tottenham languish in 16th place midway though a terrible domestic season which saw Thomas Frank sacked as head coach and Tudor drafted in as an interim before a permanent hire is made in the summer.

Spurs have a long history of being renowned for a certain expansive and expressive style of play but have also been tarnished with their much-repeated “Spursy” tag, which speaks to a supposed weak mentality and lack of resilience.

But Tudor revealed he had not heard of the term ‘Spursy’ as he spoke in his first press conference since joining, and insists an “emergency situation”, with the club just five points above the relegation zone and with a raft of injuries, means talk of a style of play is premature and far from the priority for the club right now.

“It’s not about that — it’s not about names,” he said. “It’s not about the names or sayings, whatever you call it, it’s not about tradition. It’s about here and here [*pointing to his head and heart*].

Tudor has said he is “100 per cent” confident Spurs will still be in the Premier League next season and explained why.

“The quality. What I saw this week is the quality of the players, we have enormous quality in the players even though some of them are not with us [through injury]. But they will come back. On Sunday we will have 13 good players. It’s about that.”

Tudor said: “Style of play comes from pre-season when you have 50 days in pre-season and you have 20 players. Of course when you have the style, very concrete.

“But now this is an emergency, an emergency situation when you need to find fast what suits the ten plus three players and it’s totally different.”

Igor Tudor is likely to set Tottenham up in a back three as he begins his interim tenure at the North London Derby on Sunday afternoon.

The Croatian has favoured a 3-4-2-1 system throughout his managerial career and may well stick to that as he takes charge of Spurs for the very first time.

He will have to pick a robust midfield to contain Premier League leaders Arsenal, even if the Gunners’ draws against Brentford and Wolves suggest Spurs could have some success — especially if they can instigate a ‘new-manager bounce’.

That could see Yves Bissouma brought in to partner Pape Matar Sarr, with Conor Gallagher allowed to function as one of two No10s, trusted to press high.

Sacked former manager Thomas Frank had said in one of his final pre-match press conferences that it would be the ‘dream scenario’ to welcome back Pedro Porro and Richarlison from injury for this weekend’s North London Derby, but Tudor says he will “probably not” be welcoming anyone back for the game.

Porro and Richarlison have both been nursing hamstring injuries, with Porro having missed the last four games in all competitions while Richarlison has missed the last seven games.

Spurs are without as many as 12 senior first-team players through injury and suspension ahead of Sunday’s game, and Tudor confirmed only 13 were in training.

Dominic Solanke has been unwell with a cough but he is only considered a minor doubt and may well feature on Sunday.

Captain Cristian Romero, meanwhile, will serve the second of his four-game suspension against Arsenal following his dismissal away to Manchester United.

Ahead of his first game at the helm, Tudor will have to decide whether to deploy wing-backs or full-backs. Without Porro, the only truly comfortable wing-back options are Djed Spence and Brazilian teenager Souza.

New interim head coach Igor Tudor says he is “100 per cent” confident Tottenham will avoid relegation from the Premier League — but admits he has not enjoyed his first few days at the club.

Tudor was speaking on Friday afternoon at his first press conference, having been appointed late last week as Spurs interim head coach until the end of the season, following the sacking of Thomas Frank.

Spurs sit in 16th position in the table ahead of the match, five points off the bottom three, but Tudor says it is “not important” whether Spurs should be considered part of a relegation fight and instead insists his team can make life difficult for a Gunners side suffering a wobble in form.

Asked whether he has enjoyed his first few days at Tottenham, the straight-talking former Lazio and Juventus manager said: “No, I didn't enjoy it. Because I'm here not to enjoy. I'm here to work.

“So, enjoying is just the first moment after there's work to do, you know. [It is] nice. Privileged to be here at this fantastic club.”

Tudor has managed in five countries across Europe, but Spurs marks his first job in England. The former Croatia international does not believe his lack of Premier League experience should be held against him.

“I don't believe,” he said. “Football is everywhere, 11 against 11. There are referees, there is everything.

“You will know much better with the months [ahead], but in the end it's always about the pitch there, about the relationship, about what you need to do there.

He said of facing Arsenal: “We respect them, but we play at home. So let's see what will happen. You need to have courage, confidence.

'Mikel Arteta's Arsenal exit is inevitable - and I know who will replace him'

'Arteta's Arsenal exit is inevitable, and I know who will replace him'

Tudor, 47, was installed as Thomas Frank’s replacement last week, tasked with steadying the ship as Spurs find themselves in the midst of a relegation battle.

His appointment has already brought considerable turnover in the backroom. Frank’s staff has been dismantled entirely, with John Heitinga, who was only appointed in January, among those departing.

Saltor, who made 225 league appearances for Brighton in his playing days, was a member of Graham Potter’s coaching staff at Chelsea, and served a one-match stint as caretaker manager after he was sacked in April 2023.

He continued to work under Potter during his doomed stint with West Ham, which ended in September, and his latest coaching role will see him assist Tudor at Spurs.

Rogic has formerly enjoyed spells with Hajduk Split, Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit, and Club Brugge, but worked alongside Tudor at both Lazio and Juventus.

Riccardo Raganacci completes the appointments, signing as Physical Coach. He has spent a long career exclusively in Serie A, working with clubs including Cagliari, Bologna, and Lecce.

'Mikel Arteta's Arsenal exit is inevitable - and I know who will replace him'

'Arteta's Arsenal exit is inevitable, and I know who will replace him'

Three recent signings are set to step up

Main man: Xavi Simons

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Sam Tabuteau

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Igor Tudor’s appointment as Tottenham manager can be considered a risk, but it has at least brought with it the promise of a fresh start.

Spurs currently sit 16th in the Premier League table and are just five points above the relegation zone following the dismissal of Thomas Frank last week.

The north London club are precariously close to the drop, and Tudor needs to make a fast start if he is to quieten talk of Spurs becoming embroiled in a relegation scrap.

Instant results are the Croatian’s speciality, though, and while he has not hung around for too long at any one club, he has garnered a reputation for making an immediate impact.

Part of Tudor’s success stems from getting buy-in from players with a no-nonsense approach, and he will need to lean on that part of his personality to earn the support of Spurs’ squad, which became increasingly disillusioned under Frank.

Here are three players Standard Sport thinks could be set for starring roles under Tudor...

Randal Kolo Muani worked under Igor Tudor at Juve

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Kolo Muani to rediscover his best form

Randal Kolo Muani arrived at Spurs last summer with a spring in his step, having revitalised his career on loan at Juventus in the second half of the 2024-25 season.

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It was hoped that after a tricky spell at French champions Paris Saint-Germain, Kolo Muani had rediscovered his best form and was beginning to mature as a player heading into his prime years.

The 27-year-old’s time in England, though, has been anything but straightforward. Aside from a couple of promising displays in the Champions League, he has yet to showcase why PSG parted with upwards of £76million to sign him from Eintracht Frankfurt just two and a half years ago.

Kolo Muani’s hopes of making France’s World Cup squad are growing increasingly distant, but he will hope that the arrival of Tudor, who managed him while at Juventus, can provide him with the opportunities he needs to impress Didier Deschamps.

Kolo Muani is an awkward fit in Tudor’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, with the incumbent Spurs boss unlikely to start him ahead of Dominic Solanke as Spurs’ lone striker.

However, with the trust of a manager who, only a year previously, got him playing some of the best football of his career, Kolo Muani will surely relish the opportunity to make a fresh start at Spurs.

Conor Gallagher has struggled since arriving

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Gallagher to lead the press

Throughout his career, Conor Gallagher has quickly endeared himself to whichever manager he has worked under, impressing with his energy, application and versatility.

This should be no different under the hard-nosed Tudor, who will appreciate Gallagher’s work rate on the pitch and ability to drive standards on the training ground.

Gallagher’s signing midway through the January transfer window was recommended by sporting director Johan Lange, with Frank agreeing to the move after initial reservations.

His arrival, while signed off by Frank, was a club decision, with Spurs knowing that the 26-year-old would be malleable enough both as a player and a personality to be of continued importance should Frank depart.

Tudor’s high-pressing style suits Gallagher perfectly, and his ability not only to win the ball high but to regularly convert those opportunities into attacking situations will be crucial to getting Spurs playing forward.

A versatile option, Gallagher will likely be deployed as one of the two anchoring midfielders in Tudor’s 3-4-2-1 formation.

However, his late runs off the ball mean he could just as easily be used as one of the two central No10s, with Tudor looking to defend from the front to maintain pressure on the opposition.

Xavi Simons will be the main man

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Simons to thrive as the creative hub

Xavi Simons has started to come into his own after a slow start to life at Spurs.

The Dutchman has had to work hard to get up to speed with the pace and physicality of the Premier League following his arrival from RB Leipzig last summer, but is now beginning to find his feet.

The 22-year-old is capable of dictating games like few others in the Spurs squad, and there is now an increasing assuredness to his performances that complements his undoubted talent.

Frank’s shift to a three-man defence in the final weeks of his reign had begun to bring the best out of Simons, and so Tudor’s arrival will have been met with a sigh of relief by the La Masia graduate.

Tudor has used a three-man defence in 120 of his 124 league matches in Europe's top five leagues, and while he has admitted he will need to be adaptable to the strengths of his squad, it is clear where his preference lies.

Simons has looked so much more effective when deployed in central areas, and if Tudor sticks with his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, Simons will undoubtedly be one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Long-term injuries to Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison mean Simons will be entrusted with carrying the creative load for Spurs as they seek to steer clear of the relegation zone.

That responsibility, though, is beginning to weigh less heavily on Simons than it once did, and he looks ready to shoulder the pressure of Spurs’ league position heading into the final months of the season.

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Sport | Football

Ange Postecoglou pins blame for Cristian Romero anger on one Tottenham failure

Australian insists he appreciated his captain’s passion - but knows the root cause

Pointing the finger: Ange Postecoglou

Youtube/The Overlap

Arthur Ferridge

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau

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Ange Postecoglou believes Cristian Romero “plays on the edge” due to a subconscious frustration with Tottenham’s transfer strategy.

Romero is known for his aggressive defending, seen as reckless by some, for which he has been shown two red cards this season.

The Argentine, who donned the captain’s armband as Spurs pipped Manchester United to last season’s Europa League title, is rarely afraid to voice his frustrations with the club hierarchy.

Posting on Instagram earlier this month, he slammed Spurs’ “disgraceful” injury crisis, which he felt the club failed to address in the January transfer window.

Speaking on The Overlap podcast, Postecoglou suggested that Romero’s frustration with off-pitch dealings was manifesting itself in his football, but clarified that he appreciated the Argentine’s aggression.

"I love him,” Postecoglou declared. “I love him and he does play on the edge, but, mate, he'd scare people at training and I love the way he talks.

Cristian Romero’s uncompromising defending has seen him sent off twice this season

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"I mean, would you rather have Roy [Keane] in your team or against you? I mean, we'd never have won [the Europa League final] without Romero.

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"I mean, kick-off’s about to happen and he's taking our team into Man Utd's half for the huddle because our supporters are down that end.

“He's not scared of anything, mate. He's a winner. I love winners.

"We would never have won the Europa League without [Romero] and I think you need characters like that in your dressing room.

“You've got to control them, although I don't think control is the right word. You try and steer them in a way where the good outweighs the bad. But you've also got to accept that there's going to be bad."

Postecoglou continued, acknowledging that Romero has a tendency to let his passion get the better of him.

"Now, does he cross the line? Yeah, he does.

Brothers in arms: Ange Postecoglou and Cristian Romero

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“You know, he'd cross the line at training sometimes and the coaches would go, 'oh, you know', I'd go 'well, you go tell him, I'm not telling him'. But you need that mentality in a group. Now, how you control that, you need to harness that."

“[His team-mates] respect him, honestly. They fear him. You know, you don't want to get on his [bad side] because you've got to remember, his whole existence is not just Tottenham, he's also an Argentine. He's won a World Cup.”

His experience of winning the World Cup may be a root cause of his discontent, though, as Postecoglou suggested Romero’s frustration could stem from comparing his club career to those of his Argentina team-mates.

"I think part of his frustration, his outburst about the club, is that he's mixing with [Enzo] Fernandez or a [Lisandro] Martinez and he's saying, well, how come they're signing players to win and we're not? Why? I want to win.”

It is a complaint Postecoglou has echoed. Speaking in an earlier edition of The Overlap, the Australian hit out at the club’s lack of ambition in the transfer window.

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Tudor prefers back-three system but says Spurs will use formation that suits the players available

Tottenham face Arsenal in the north London derby on Sunday

Tottenham Hotspur FC / @SpursOfficial on Twitter

Sam Tabuteau

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau

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Igor Tudor kickstarts his Tottenham tenure at home to Arsenal in the north London derby on Sunday.

Tudor has been appointed until the end of the season, with the main aim of ensuring Spurs finish comfortably clear of the relegation zone.

Following Thomas Frank’s departure, Spurs sit 16th in the Premier League and just five points clear of 18th-placed West Ham after a run of two wins in 17 league games.

Tudor has been tasked with steadying the ship, having proven himself capable of quickly turning around clubs’ fortunes during his spells at Udinese, Marseille, Juventus, and Lazio.

His high-pressing, attacking philosophy is ultimately predicated on a strong defensive structure, and he has often leaned on the solidity of a 3-4-2-1 formation to ensure his teams are first and foremost hard to beat.

Spurs have appointed Igor Tudor until the end of the season

Tottenham Hotspur FC / THFC

Tudor has used a back three in 120 of his 124 league matches in Europe's top five leagues, but he has admitted he will need to find a system to suit the players he has available.

Here are three ways Spurs could line up under him in in the north London derby...

Tudor goes with what he knows in a 3-4-2-1

Randal Kolo Muani played some of the best football of his career during Tudor’s short spell at Juventus, and he could be given a new lease of life after a difficult season at Spurs.

Kolo Muani, who scored 10 goals in 19 matches for Juventus last season, has struggled to make an impact at Spurs since arriving on loan from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

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The 27-year-old is yet to score in 18 Premier League appearances for Spurs, but Tudor knows how to get the best out of him and with Solanke still working his way back to full match fitness, there could be an opportunity for Kolo Muani.

Kolo Muani has grown frustrated with being played out of position at Spurs, often used on the right wing instead of through the middle under Frank.

Randal Kolo Muani did well under Tudor at Juventus

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With Tudor at the helm, Kolo Muani could be given a chance as the lone striker in the Croatian’s 3-4-2-1 formation.

However, a potentially more popular move could also see Kolo Muani used alongside Xavi Smons as one of the two central No10s behind Solanke, who has been in excellent form since returning from injury.

With Cristian Romero suspended and Kevin Danso still out injured, Joao Palhinha could continue in a three-man defence.

If Pedro Porro is fit, he and Djed Spence will start as wing-backs.

Tottenham possible XI (3-4-2-1): Vicario; Palhinha, Van de Ven, Dragusin; Porro/Gray, Sarr, Gallagher, Spence; Kolo Muani, Simons; Solanke

Simons and Kolo Muani as wide forwards in a 3-4-3

Tudor will be keen to get Kolo Muani and Solanke in the same team as he tries to spark some life into the Spurs attack.

However, having Kolo Muani operating as one of the two central No10s in a 3-4-2-1 does not particularly play to his strengths.

Kolo Muani’s hold-up play has left a lot to be desired this season and he is not a player who thrives with the ball in tight spaces.

Given the freedom to run the channels, though, Kolo Muani has caused problems, and he made a real impact drifting off the wing during Spurs’ 2-0 win over Frankfurt last month.

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That game was arguably Kolo Muani’s most complete performance in a Spurs shirt and, while he was initially deployed as a striker, his best moments came when he was in wide areas.

Kolo Muani may not be happy starting out on the wing, but if it gets him into positions where he can stretch the game in behind, Tudor may view it as the most effective way to get him and Solanke on the pitch at the same time.

Tottenham possible XI (3-4-3): Vicario; Palhinha, Van de Ven, Dragusin; Porro/Gray, Sarr, Gallagher, Spence; Kolo Muani, Simons; Solanke

Tudor goes on the front foot with a back-four

One of the standout things Tudor said in his first address to Spurs supporters was that he wanted his team to start playing with courage again.

Too often this season, Spurs have let the opposition dictate the tempo of the game, just as they did when they were comfortably beaten by Arsenal in November.

Tudor is unlikely to let Spurs be so passive, with his high-pressing, attacking philosophy suited to playing on the front foot.

Spurs supporters will demand a performance against Arsenal, and with a number of injuries to contend with in defence, Tudor may be forced to adapt to a use a four-man defence in order to play to the strengths of the players he has available.

Mathys Tel could be brought back in the from the cold

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In doing so, Tudor would be able to name another attacker in his starting line-up, and he could look to bring Mathys Tel in from the cold after a frustrating period out of the side.

Tel will be eager to make an impact, having started on the bench in each of Spurs’ last four league games.

The 20-year-old brought plenty of attacking threat off the bench as Spurs chased an equaliser against Newcastle, and Tudor could opt to use him off the left wing as he looks to take the game to a wounded Arsenal side.

Given Spurs’ injury issues, Tudor knows he has to be adaptable.

He will curry plenty of favour with the home support on Sunday if he prioritises attack over defence against Mikel Arteta’s side.

Tottenham possible XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro/Gray, Van de Ven, Dragusin, Spence; Gallagher, Palhinha; Kolo Muani, Simons, Tel; Solanke

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