London Evening Standard

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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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

AFP via Getty Images

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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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

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Arthur Ferridge

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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

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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

AFP via Getty Images

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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Spurs injury crisis could ease ahead of Arsenal showdown

Latest: Richarlison, Pedro Porro and Lucas Bergvall

Standard Sport

Arthur Ferridge

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Tottenham are hopeful of some good news on the injury front ahead of Sunday’s north London derby.

The Spurs squad have been hit by another injury crisis but new head coach Igor Tudor could be boosted by the return of some key players against Arsenal.

Tudor has taken over a Spurs squad missing as many as 11 first-team players after Wilson Odobert was the latest player struck down by injury when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee against Newcastle last week.

Cristian Romero remains suspended for their next three games and will miss what is a huge game for Spurs in their bid to pull clear of relegation danger.

Here’s all the latest Tottenham injury news and potential return dates...

Pedro Porro

Pedro Porro has been out since suffering a hamstring injury in the 2-2 draw at Burnley last month.

Porro has missed the last four Spurs games but the right-back has been pushing to return in time to face Arsenal.

Pedro Porro has been pushing to return in time for the north London derby

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Speaking at the end of January, former Spurs boss Thomas Frank was asked with Porro could be back for the north London derby.

“That could be a dream scenario, and it just could happen,” said Frank. “We will know a little bit more when we get closer - but it's in that bracket.”

Potential return date: February 22 vs Arsenal (H)

Richarlison

Richarlison was initially ruled out for up to seven weeks when he suffered a hamstring injury in the FA Cup win against Aston Villa on January 10.

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But, like Porro, Frank said last month that the Brazilian could potentially return in time to face Arsenal.

Richarlison was injured against Aston Villa on January 10.

REUTERS

Richarlison is Spurs' top scorer this season with seven goals in 21 Premier League games and his return to fitness would be a major boost given the injury crisis.

Tudor will provide an update on the fitness of Richarlison and Porro when he holds his press conference ahead of the Arsenal game.”

Potential return date: February 22 vs Arsenal (H)

Lucas Bergvall

Lucas Bergvall has been out since suffering an ankle surgery in the 2-0 Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund on January 20.

Bergvall underwent surgery and Spurs have not put a timescale on his recovery, but there were positives reports in Sweden this week about his recovery.

Lucas Bergvall is out with an ankle injury

Action Images via Reuters

The midfielder is no long wearing a protective boot and his recovery is said to be “going in the right direction”

It is claimed Bergvall could be back on the pitch in around six weeks and that he is in “a race against time” to be fit for Sweden’s World Cup play-off against Ukraine at the end of March.

Potential return date: Late March/early April

Kevin Danso

Kevin Danso snapped the ligament in his big toe in the 2-0 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt on January 28.

Danso has missed games against Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle, and his injury comes at a time when Spurs are missing Romero through suspension.

Speaking last week ahead of the Newcastle game, Frank issued the latest update on Danso.

Frank said: “He met the consultant. It's going forward, but it's still weeks before he's available.”

Potential return date: Late February/early March

Destiny Udogie

Destiny Udogie has once again been struck down by a hamstring injury.

The left-back was injured in the 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford on February 7 and was last week ruled out for up to five weeks.

Destiny Udogie suffered a hamstring injury against Manchester United

REUTERS

"Unfortunately, Destiny has a hamstring injury and will be out for the next four to five weeks,” said Frank before he was sacked.

Potential return date: Mid-March

Mohammed Kudus

Mohammed Kudus has been out since suffering a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland on January 4.

Kudus was initially ruled out until after the March international break, and reports last week said the winger was in Amsterdam to see a specialist as he bids to return.

Kudus travelled back to Amsterdam to consult a trusted expert from his time at Ajax and is still said to be targeting a return to full training after the March international break.

Potential return date: April

Wilson Odobert

Wilson Odobert suffered a serious knee injury against Newcastle last week and Spurs confirmed he would have surgery.

Wilson Odobert suffered a serious knee injury against Newcastle

Action Images via Reuters

Odobert is the latest long-term injury problem at Spurs, who said in a statement: “Wilson will see a specialist next week before undergoing surgery, and will then commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff. We're all behind you, Wilson.”

Spurs have not put a timescale on his return but he will not be back until next season.

Potential return date: Late 2026

Dejan Kulusevski

Dejan Kulusevski has been out since the end of last season with a patella injury.

Reports in Sweden last week claimed Kulusevski is “nowhere near stepping out” on the pitch.

Just before he was sacked, Frank said he was unsure if Kulusevski would play again this season.

“It's a complicated injury where it’s important to make sure there’s no pain in the knee,” said Frank. “That’s why he got an injection and it hopefully will help. So in three to four weeks’ time, he’ll be on the grass pain-free."

Posting on Instagram last week, Kulusevski shared a video of himself in the gym at Hotspur Way going through an intensive set of single-legged squats with his injured right leg.

Potential return date: Unknown

Rodrigo Bentancur

Rodrigo Bentancur was ruled out for three months after undergoing hamstring surgery in mid-January.

It means Bentancur is set to miss the majority of the rest of the season..

Potential return date: Spring 2026

Ben Davies

Ben Davies could have played his last game for Spurs after suffering a broken ankle in the 2-1 defeat to West Ham last month.

Davies has under a second operation and is a doubt for the World Cup should Wales qualify.

The left-sided defender has been at Spurs for 12 years, playing 448 games, but is out of contract at the end of the season.

Potential return date: Unknown

James Maddison

James Maddison has been sidelined since suffering a serious knee injury in pre-season.

He has since undergone surgery but is not expected to feature for Spurs this season.

Potential return date: Summer 2026

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Igor Tudor has reputation for being an intense character with blunt manner

Tudor must turn round a team with two wins from 17 in the Premier League

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Matt Verri

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Clubs hunting for an interim manager mid-season have often activated the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer model.

Solskjaer at Manchester United was what ChatGPT might offer up as the ideal candidate for a temporary stint in charge.

Pre-existing links to the club? Tick. A unifying figure for the fans? Tick. A 'go out and have fun lads' attitude in contrast to the previous regime? Full house.

Tottenham have previously deployed the same line of thinking, based seemingly on vibes above all else. Twice in the space of three seasons they turned to Ryan Mason.

Had Matt Wells still been at Spurs, rather than leaving in December to take charge of Colorado Rapids, perhaps he would have been the latest internal appointment.

Instead, Spurs have left the well-trodden path. With the stakes now much higher, they have gone rogue.

Tudor will take charge of his first Spurs against Arsenal on Sunday

Youtube/Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs sit 16th in the table and five points off the bottom three. Igor Tudor is the man they have tasked with keeping them in the Premier League.

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It is a significant risk. Tudor has no experience of Spurs or English football more generally, and is now thrown into the cauldron to lead a team with two wins in their last 17 Premier League matches.

Once Spurs decided to go down the interim route, Edin Terzic and Marco Rose were on the shortlist. Robbie Keane was a contender too.

The club wanted someone with track record of making an immediate impact and Tudor is an interim specialist. The choppier the waters, the more comfortable the 47-year-old is.

This will be the ninth time the Croatian has joined a club mid-season. Taking charge of Udinese in 2018, after the club had lost ten straight Serie A matches, Tudor led them to seven points from four matches. A year later he returned to steer them clear of relegation again.

Tudor arrived at Lazio in March 2024 and won six of his 11 matches in charge. At the same time of the season a year later, he lost only one of his first nine Juventus games.

Thomas Frank was unable to stamp his authority on this Spurs dressing room and there is a danger that an interim boss lacks the status to change that.

Cristian Romero was outspoken and caused problems for Frank. If and when survival is secured, the World Cup will likely be viewed as an increasing priority for many, particularly Romero.

With the players knowing Tudor will be gone in the summer, there is no guarantee he will get the buy-in he wants.

However, the Croatian can be expected to shake things up. Training will be tough and he is an intense character. The Spurs players will have a rocket fired up them.

Tudor is not one to come in and just get the squad smiling. Dimitri Payet, who played under Tudor at Marseille, remembered: "We all got acquainted with someone who was coarse and blunt.

"In his manners and words, he was authoritative. We were all a bit shocked."

Tudor likes to play a back-three system. Whether that remains the case at Spurs, where keeping that many defenders fit has been a challenge, remains to be seen.

Spurs captain Cristian Romero has been an outspoken figure at Spurs

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On paper, it will be a stark contrast to what Frank served up this season. Tudor has played front-footed, attacking football, with pressing a key emphasis.

Trying to implement that with a squad creaking with injuries will be a major challenge. A north London derby at home to Arsenal on Sunday will be a test of just how brave Tudor is feeling and just how much confidence he has in the players.

Spurs sources have insisted the interim boss will be considered for the permanent job but Tudor is not one to hang around. Only once has he lasted more than a year in a dugout.

Even a job well done here - moving Spurs up towards mid-table and perhaps reaching the Champions League quarter-finals - is unlikely to earn him the full-time gig.

All signs point towards Spurs moving for Mauricio Pochettino. He has made it clear he wants to return but even his loyalty, surely, does not extend to being a Championship manager.

Tudor, a man well-accustomed to chaos and upheaval, must ensure there is still an appealing baton to pass on in the summer.

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