Football London

The Tottenham goalkeeper had a nightmare in Madrid as the rain fell and the goals poured in as he lasted just 16 minutes on his Champions League debut

Antonin Kinsky was done. In just 16 minutes his Champions League debut had self-destructed and he marched straight down the tunnel.

It had been the right decision to take him off, even if it was brutal. The Spurs defence had lost all confidence and so had he. The question is whether this was the right game to throw the 22-year-old into in the first place - such a huge occasion without a single minute to his name since October.

Igor Tudor had been deep in discussion with captain Cristian Romero before the interim Tottenham boss turned to the man he had dropped - Guglielmo Vicario - to prepare to come on and save him and the team.

With the change made, Kinsky walked straight down the tunnel, his face full of emotion, and Tudor did not even look at the Czech, nor offer an explanatory or consolatory word.

Instead Spurs substitutes Dominic Solanke, Conor Gallagher and Joao Palhinha raced after him to console him.

Tudor claimed that he made the decision to protect Kinsky and the team and that he had explained it in the dressing room to him afterwards.

He said he had selected the keeper, known as "Toni" around the club, in order to put pressure on Vicario, who has recorded more clean sheets in the Champions League than any other goalkeeper this season.

Kinsky is acknowledged to be better with his feet than the Italian, while Vicario is the more assured shot stopper. Yet it was Kinsky's feet that let him down miserably on Tuesday night amid the rain in Spain, albeit on a controversial re-laid pitch that has caused problems for Atletico themselves and their opponents in the past month.

Both Tudor and Atletico boss Diego Simeone said they had never seen anything like those 16 minutes of football and it's difficult to see Kinsky's Tottenham career recovering from this unless he can rebuild elsewhere and return. It's likely the club will have a new number one next summer regardless.

The players will gather around Kinsky but confidence is a big thing, not only within a player but from those around them. The sight of him slumped on the turf with his face in his hands as Julian Alvarez scored will be an enduring one.

“It’s terrible for him, he’s making his debut. You wouldn’t wish this on anyone," Micky van de Ven told Dutch media outlet Ziggo Sport.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Kinsky is young enough that he can rebuild his confidence elsewhere. West Ham wanted to sign him in the winter window but his path may end up abroad, away from the noise that will linger around him.

Previous loan moves have been blocked by Spurs with plenty of interest in the stopper but they will not stand in his way this summer when the window opens.

He needs to get away and construct from the foundations again. Clips of his 16 minutes from hell will have gone viral across the world but nowhere is the scrutiny as constant as the Premier League.

Other goalkeepers have been gaffe-strewn in the English game but have reset at other clubs, Spurs stoppers among them.

Paul Robinson found his career begin to slide after that bobble and missed kick for England and he had his say on Kinsky and Tudor after watching live in Madrid.

"The manager certainly hasn't helped Kinsky at all," Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "Nobody will understand where he is and there is nobody who knows you've made a mistake more than you as a goalkeeper.

"Unfortunately it is a very lonely place and that has been highlighted and magnified by the manager making that substitution. Him making that change after 16 minutes is going to be talked about worldwide. For him that will be soul-destroying.

"He's probably sat alone in the dressing room for the rest of the first half, I wouldn't be surprised if he was in tears in that situation."

He added: "It's a really difficult thing to handle, but I think actually it's a very selfish decision from the manager because he knows that he's not here for long. He's making decisions that he thinks will keep him in a job and keep Spurs in the Premier League.

"It was a very selfish decision. He bought Kinsky in because Vicario has been poor in the league and I think he thought if Kinsky did well he had an excuse to keep him in for the rest of the season.

"He reverted on that decision very early. I've never seen a manager substitute a goalkeeper so early and so clearly as a result of mistakes. It's quite blatantly for self-preservation for the manager because he thinks it was the best decision for him at the time without consideration for the young goalkeeper."

Goalkeeping great Peter Schmeichel went in just as strong in his analysis as the goalkeeper union closed ranks around Kinsky.

"I feel really, really sorry for him, You make mistakes, you know, he's put him in goal. Obviously, he's costing the team the opportunity to win. Not that Tottenham have any opportunity to win. I mean, it was a terrible performance," said the CBS Sports pundit.

"But when this happened, when you look at the clock there, 14:55, what does Igor Tudor then? Well, he substitutes him. That's going to have ramifications for the rest of his career. This will be a moment that everybody in football will always remember every time they see and hear his name.

"You make your choice as a coach and yes, it wasn't going your way and you're 3-0 down, there's no way that this team would ever come back from that. You've got to stick with him and at least stick until half-time

"What he's done there, for me, he's absolutely killed his career. That's going to take something to get over that."

Spurs will offer Kinsky help with the mental side of what has happened whether through their goalkeeping coaches or other means. Many players have their own specialists. Xavi Simons for example employs his own mindset coach.

What will also help Kinsky is that goalkeeping is in his blood. His father, who bears the same name, was a Czech international goalkeeper and will have overcome plenty during his long career. Now 50, there will be plenty of paternal advice and guidance for Kinsky Jr.

Anyone can slip - and most Spurs players did in Madrid - but it will be the second mistake that Kinsky will need to bounce back from.

The Tottenham goalkeeper will be down but not out. This is just the beginning of his path and he must not let one night in the rain define him. This should not be Czech mate.

Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was subbed after just 17 minutes after gifting Atletico Madrid two goals following two crucial slips at the Wanda Metropolitano

Tottenham duo Pedro Porro and Archie Gray have both rallied around Antonin Kinsky after the young Czech was substituted after just 17 minutes following a horror show against Atletico Madrid.

Kinsky, who was making his Champions League debut for Spurs in place of Guglielmo Vicario, slipped to gift Atletico two of their opening three goals.

Igor Tudor was not willing to waste time and swiftly withdrew the goalkeeper, though he later claimed the brutal call was to protect the player.

Insisting it was his decision, not Cristian Romero's after the pair were spotted chatting on the touchline, Tudor said: “What happened is very rare. I’ve been coaching for 15 years, I’ve never done this. It was necessary to preserve the guy, preserve the team. Incredible situation, nothing to comment.”

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Speaking to Spanish media, right-back Porro, who scored a consolation for the Europa League winners, issued a message of support for his team-mate.

"I want to send Kinsky a message of support," Spanish right-back Porro told Movistar Plus after Tuesday's 5-2 defeat. "This is a tough time for him. The kid has been working really well. When you get an opportunity like this, these things happen. Sometimes football is like that.

"I haven't been able to talk to him [Kinsky], but I'll give him a big hug when I see him. It [Kinsky's performance] reminds me of the slip I had in Scotland with Spain. Football is about getting back up."

Versatile midfielder Gray also refused to blame Kinsky, telling TNT Sports: "It's obviously a disappointing result. We didn't help ourselves with the best start. It was difficult to come back into the game after that. We have to focus on the next game and the second leg after that.

"It's difficult, mistakes happen, it's part of football. Tony [Kinsky] is young. I have made mistakes, everyone has, especially when you are younger. When it costs goals it is disappointing. But he is strong mentally so he will get through this, he'll be alright.

"We have got to take responsibility, what's happened this game and in the Premier League. In quite a lot of games this season it's been unacceptable. We have to take responsibility and push on."

Spurs are now bidding to overturn a three-goal deficit in next week's second leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but first up, they have to try and get their Premier League survival bid back on track.

They travel to Liverpool on Sunday and could well be without captain Romero and midfielder Joao Palhinha due to concussion protocols, though they will be assessed, on top of suspended centre-back Micky van de Ven.

Tottenham Hotspur were on the receiving end of a 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has admitted that two tactics Tottenham used caused problems for his team. Spurs were on the receiving end of a 5-2 defeat to the La Liga outfit in the Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night.

Tottenham found themselves 4-0 behind after just 22 minutes, with Igor Tudor deciding to replace goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in the 17th minute with Guglielmo Vicario.

Pedro Porro got a goal back for Spurs before the interval, before former Manchester City star Julian Alvarez got his second of the game to put Atletico 5-1 in front.

Dominic Solanke would get another goal back for Tottenham, who now have a three-goal deficit to overcome in the second leg in north London next week.

Despite seeing his side score five goals and secure what would appear to be a comfortable win, Simeone noted the two tactics from Tottenham that created some problems for Atletico.

"I always focus on the positives," Simeone said, via AS. "Offensively, they have some strong players; their set pieces are dangerous, and even their throw-ins are dangerous.

"We started the game in a way that disrupted their rhythm, and that speaks well of our work."

Simeone went on to explain what impressed him most from Atletico’s performance against Tottenham.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"I liked the team," Simeone said. "They had an impact, aided by the mistakes we forced into them. It gave us confidence, motivated us to keep pressing in their half, and build a significant lead.

"We could have dealt with their first goal better. From the 4-2, which could have happened with [Jan] Oblak's save, came an extraordinary transition between [Antoine] Griezmann and Julian [Alvarez], with link-up play, a 50 or 60-meter run, and a clinical finish. It gave us a good position in the game.

"The 5-2 came from one of our own errors, and we can enjoy the victory knowing that the Champions League is tough and no result guarantees you'll advance in the first match."

Tudor reflected on the difficulties that are facing him as Tottenham boss, with four defeats in a row and a Premier League away trip to reigning champions Liverpool to come at the weekend.

"I am not taking it that way. I recognise what we are and which problems we have," said Tudor.

"I recognise that every game, something happens. Sometimes it is very difficult to explain. I see also the wish of the players to do the right things.

"We started good, let's say. These two or three minutes, I feel it during the game. These things, when they happen, what I said before, in the moment where we are now, unfortunately, it is like that.

"Even these slippery things happen, it explains the moment, because they didn't do it. The pitch was the same for both teams."

After Tottenham Hotspur's horror show against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, the north Londoners appear to have made a decision regarding sacking Igor Tudor

Beleaguered Tottenham Hotspur interim manager Igor Tudor has seemingly been given a stay of execution. Spurs have confirmed he will take questions from the media at a press conference on Friday, previewing their ominous away trip to Liverpool.

Tudor, 47, fell to a new low when he watched his side be destroyed 5-2 in the first-leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie against Atletico Madrid. His huge decision to drop goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and deploy 22-year-old Antonin Kinsky backfired spectacularly within 15 minutes, as the young shot-stopper was at fault for two of Atletico's three early goals, before he was humiliatingly substituted.

Few argued with the decision to haul the Czech off, but Tudor's lack of acknowledgement to the devastated Kinsky left former Spurs goalkeeper Joe Hart furious. With Tudor enduring the worst start of any Tottenham manager in history, many have tipped the Croatian to be axed before the journey to Anfield.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

His job appears to be safe, for now, as Tudor's presence at his press conference on Friday was confirmed by the club. This news all but guarantees Tudor will be in the dugout on the red side of Merseyside.

Having lost all four of his matches so far, Tudor's position will surely be questioned if the north Londoners suffer a convincing defeat at Liverpool. Tottenham are living dangerously in the Premier League as they are only one point above 18th placed West Ham United.

The Hammers host Manchester City on the weekend, and 17th placed Nottingham Forest face Fulham at the City Ground. Should both the Hammers and Forest win, and Tottenham lose, Tudor's side will drop into the relegation zone.

There are also increasing signs he is losing the support of the Tottenham players. football.london understands many of the Spurs stars feel he has over-asserted himself and come across as disrespectful since his appointment.

There was a key moment at the Wanda Metropolitano after he chose to end Kinsky's evening after barely 15 minutes. As the goalkeeper left the pitch, Tudor did not even acknowledge him, but Conor Gallagher, Joao Palhinha and Dominic Solanke, who started the match on the bench, chased him down the tunnel, realising the potentially seismic effect his nightmare cameo may have.

The fact Tudor did not offer a word of encouragement on the pitch did not go unnoticed among the Spurs players. In his post-match interview, he also appeared reluctant to talk about Kinsky, although he did offer a small showing of support to the keeper in his press conference.

Tudor said: "Unfortunately, it happened in this big game, these mistakes. He was sorry. The team is with him, me too. I was speaking with him. He understands the moment, he understands why he goes out. As I said, he’s a very good goalkeeper.

"We are with him, we are all together. It’s never about one player. It’s happened. It’s the Champions League again. We paid [for] this start of the game."

Sean Dyche was dismissed by Nottingham Forest in February and has already opened up on what the future holds for him amid links to Tottenham Hotspur

Sean Dyche has revealed that leading clubs have already made contact with him amid links to Spurs but insists he feels no pressure to rush into another role or vindicate himself after the difficult circumstances surrounding his departure from Nottingham Forest.

Dyche was relieved of his duties by Forest in mid-February, merely four months after his appointment to steer the club clear of the Premier League's relegation battle. The 54-year-old, who became Forest's third manager during a chaotic campaign following Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou, is being touted as a potential candidate for the Tottenham position.

Interim head coach Igor Tudor is experiencing a disastrous period since his arrival last month. The Croatian, who took charge following Thomas Frank's exit, has failed to register a victory, leaving Spurs merely a point clear of the relegation zone.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Following their 5-2 Champions League humbling at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening, Spurs now travel to Anfield for a crucial encounter with Liverpool – a fixture that could seal Tudor's fate should they fall short.

Nevertheless, just weeks from his departure, Dyche acknowledged he's in no rush to return to management and even suggested he wouldn't be troubled if he never came back at all.

Discussing his future intentions on The Football Boardroom podcast, he said: "I know what I am. I could branch off this minute now and do what you're doing now and be quite happy."

"You know, I've done my bit, so if I do more, great. If I don't do more, I won't be crying over it. I won't be, you know, but you're left with this moment or that moment.

"Okay, yeah, not bothered about that. I've given my lot; I always do. So I've got no problem with that."

"So if I choose to step away, it will be my choice. It won't be because no one will employ me. I could certainly; I've had offers already by the way, so that's not a problem.

"Top level [offers], but the point is, you go, 'Do I need that? Do I want to make a decision? Not at the moment.'"

While Dyche didn't disclose which clubs have approached him, Spurs may soon be in the market for a new manager.

According to Betfair, Dyche is currently listed at 12/1 to take the reins at the north London club ahead of the upcoming season.

Tottenham Hotspur suffered a 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League which has led to increased pressure on Igor Tudor's future

Igor Tudor’s future at Tottenham Hotspur remains increasingly uncertain after another heavy defeat, this time in the Champions League. Spurs were beaten 5-2 by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday night, leaving themselves an uphill task heading into the reverse fixture next week.

Tudor was appointed by Tottenham last month on a caretaker basis until the end of the season, but has now lost all four games in charge, including three in the Premier League.

The 47-year-old’s future has been the subject of increased speculation over the last couple of weeks, with some reports suggesting that an exit before the end of the season is not off the table.

Tottenham’s next match will see them face Liverpool in the Premier League at the weekend, with Spurs currently in 16th place in the table and just one point above the relegation zone.

Former Tottenham star Jamie O’Hara gave a passionate explanation as to why he would not continue with Tudor as the club’s head coach following the defeat to Atletico Madrid.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

“I’m absolutely embarrassed to be a Spurs fan," O’Harta said on talkSPORT. "I'm embarrassed to be affiliated with this football club. It is nothing short of a disgrace.”

O’Hara added: “The manager needs to go, sack him at half time. It's a disgraceful performance from the players.

“The tactics, unthinkable. To set up 3-4-3 against Atletico Madrid is embarrassing. We cannot play that formation. He [Tudor] said it's about experimenting. You cannot experiment in the Champions League playing 3-4-3 and to pick [Antonin] Kinsky....

“Everyone's saying all of a sudden they’re feeling sorry for this guy… he's a professional football player. He's a professional goalie. It's his job. He can't kick the ball.

“It's their job to look through to wear the right footing. Put some studs on, you're falling over the ball. I've never seen anything like it."

With Tudor’s future still uncertain, football.london writers have put together their views on whether or not the club should make a change.

Mark Wakefield

It’s fair to say that things have not gone to plan for Tottenham since Igor Tudor was appointed by the club last month.

While a defeat to Atletico Madrid, especially the manner of the loss, will be disappointing and frustrating, the Champions League is no longer where a priority for the club.

The focus for Spurs now rests on the Premier League and retaining their top-flight status for another season. That is where Tudor will, and should, be judged.

After three defeats in the top flight, the pressure is certainly on, and another defeat to Liverpool this weekend would certainly see calls for a managerial change grow louder.

For the time being, though, Spurs should stand by their choice. If Premier League relegation becomes likely, or even probable, then that could change.

Bruna Reis

Tottenham's fortunes have taken a sharp turn for the worse since Tudor took charge. The man brought in to steady the club through to the end of the season has so far been unable to stabilise the situation.

He is still searching for his first win, and three straight Premier League defeats have left Spurs just a single point above the relegation zone. The 5-2 loss to Atletico Madrid was grim viewing, but ultimately has little relevance to their fight for Premier League survival.

Preserving their Premier League status is the priority, and that must now command their full attention. That’s far from straightforward when confidence has drained from the squad and the team looks increasingly directionless.

Even so, making another managerial change less than a month after Tudor's arrival is unlikely to provide a quick fix. A new coach would bring another new system, another reset, and even more upheaval at a time when stability is desperately needed. Spurs need something to shift, and that has to start on Sunday against Liverpool.

Patrick Austen-Hardy

There are bad decisions and then there is Igor Tudor. The supposed fire-fighter of European football has poured petrol over Tottenham's failings and they are close to crashing and burning.

The Tottenham players' response to Antonin Kinsky's substitution, after Tudor did not even acknowledge the youngster, was the sight of a team who is against their manager. There is still time for another manager to come in and jumpstart this Spurs side, so they can at least finish in front of those relegation lines.

At this point, tactical acumen is out the window. They need a loud voice, who can raise the spirits of the dressing room, put an arm around those who need it and remind the likes of Micky van de Ven how good they are. This would have sounded mad one year ago, but Harry Redknapp may just be the person to do that.

Joe Doyle

I think it's fairly obvious Igor Tudor has to go. Regardless of how good or bad you think this Tottenham squad is, there are just no positive markers since he replaced Thomas Frank as head coach.

The only trajectory under Tudor at the moment is down. If they were playing good football but not quite getting the results, that would be one thing. But they're conceding more goals and losing to teams they should at least be getting a point from.

When it comes to the Atletico Madrid debacle, dropping Guglielmo Vicario for an inexperienced replacement in Antonin Kinsky on the biggest stage was a huge risk, and it backfired spectacularly. The players' response on the night said it all.

The 'new manager bounce' after appointing a supposed firefighter of a coach has not happened, and it's clear that the current situation is not working. The board must recognise they made a huge mistake and attempt to rectify it before it's too late.

Isaac Seelochan

It's hard to see anyway back for Tudor after such a disastrous start. I can only see Spurs getting relegated with him in charge.

In fairness to him, he is nowhere near the biggest problem at Tottenham, but unfortunately, he's the easiest to fix in the short term. This has been one of the worst appointments in Premier League history.

So many others in the Spurs hierarchy should follow Tudor out the door if he goes. Ultimately, it feels like Tottenham are going to have to make a Michael Carrick at Manchester United-type appointment to stay up at this stage.

The under fire Spurs manager has come in for scathing criticism after the club's 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League

Beleaguered Tottenham Hotspur boss Igor Tudor has been savaged by sections of the Spanish press after his side were thrashed 5-2 by Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening. The Croatian's decision to start Antonin Kinsky in goal was targeted by the media, with the manager's decision-making in the Champions League last-16 first-leg tie also coming in for a mauling.

Tudor deployed Kinsky in place of Guglielmo Vicario against Diego Simeone's side. The Czech goalkeeper was at fault for two of the first three goals, slipping and giving the ball away for Marcos Llorente's early strike, before scuffing a clearance into the feet of Julian Alvarez for Atleti's third.

In shocking scenes, Tudor then substituted Kinsky in the 15th minute and did not even acknowledge the young goalkeeper as he sullenly left the pitch.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Spanish outlet AS tore into the former Marseille coach, criticising Spurs' general performance and even compared Kinsky to Loris Karius, the former Liverpool goalkeeper who infamously made two glaring errors against Real Madrid in the Reds' 2018 Champions League final defeat.

They said: "Tudor 's decision had hit him like a ton of bricks. 1-0. And that was just the appetiser. The main course was soon to come. Because Tottenham is a dead team. A zombie .

"A disgrace. A ghost. A tragedy. Live surrealism. A joke that just won't do. It doesn't matter who plays. Whether [Micky] Van de Ven returned to the starting eleven, whether Richarlison played up front or [Conor] Gallagher waited in the wings, or whether Kinsky took over in goal.

"Put on some circus music; there's no other way to describe what comes next. Kinsky had dressed up as Karius and refused to let go of the disguise. Turn up the volume."

The Spaniard's rough take on Tudor's management didn't stop there. SPORT was equally baffled by the Spurs' manager's decision.

They said: "Igor Tudor , who surprised everyone with his decision, substituted him in the 17th minute, bringing on Vicario in his place. This move sealed the fate of the young goalkeeper, who was making his debut in the continental competition."

Asked about his choice to play Kinsky after the defeat, Tudor said: "After you see what happened, for sure, it was the wrong decision.

"But, it was, for me, the right decision to do [before the game], thinking before because, the team, it was a change of competition. Unfortunately, what happened, happened, I've never changed a goalkeeper after 30 minutes, but, it was not easy, it happened."

When queried if he had spoken to Kinsky after the game, Tudor replied: "It's normal. We don't need to comment. It's not the moment to speak too much."

He added: "Very strange, it was unusual, so it took our confidence. Then we restarted. We had a good opportunity to make it 4-2, and then we conceded the goal and it's 5-1. We apologise to the fans and to everybody."

Tudor has lost all four games that he's been in charge of so far at Tottenham. There's no let-up either as Spurs face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday in a potential season-defining week.

A loss to the defending Premier League champions, coupled with positive results for West Ham and Nottingham Forest, could leave Spurs in the relegation zone. The Lillywhites will then host Atletico in the return leg of the Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, March 18.

It's difficult to know who looked more lost inside Atletico Madrid's Metropolitano - Antonin Kinsky or Igor Tudor.

On Tuesday night in Spain, in the very stadium where Tottenham suffered their most painful moment of recent memory - up to this point - six-and-a-half years ago, they managed to conjure up new depths from which to self destruct.

Kinsky suffered 16 minutes of humiliation while Tudor has suffered 26 days of pain, while realising what a mess Spurs are in.

The Croatian has not even made a dent. Nothing has improved from Thomas Frank's era, who in turn improved nothing from Ange Postecoglou's tenure. All signs point to an overriding problem more deeply rooted within the club.

On Tuesday night in the rain in Madrid, Tudor bore a resemblance to two very different characters. With his cap on his head, he stirred memories of Martin Jol's final game in the Tottenham dugout against another Spanish side Getafe. The Dutchman at least had made a big impact on the club before that point.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Tudor also bears the slightest of resemblances to Arnold Vosloo's titular character in The Mummy movies, but like Imhotep, the Croatian has been unable to resurrect himself or Spurs and instead they are disintegrating towards a ghastly demise.

The 47-year-old has made very little positive impact on the players. His attempts to instil discipline have backfired. football.london understands that some inside the dressing room believe he has over asserted himself and instead come across as disrespectful to some and borderline mocking to others.

Antonio Conte came into the club with a similar tough, no holds barred style, attempting to wake up the players but his approach came with authority, aura and a dazzling track record.

Tudor has not got that to tap into. Some of the players have been unhappy with the training sessions, Tudor missing the impact of his usual right-hand man Ivan Javorcic in the process with his compatriot entangled in work permit complications.

Big players have been pushed to the side. Xavi Simons has been marginalised despite Spurs screaming out for creativity and new signing Conor Gallagher reduced to a substitute role. Nobody looks to have any confidence about what is going on inside the club or where it is currently heading.

The Kinsky and Guglielmo Vicario mess was the latest selection blunder from the interim head coach and neither the dropping of the popular Italian nor the embarrassment suffered by the hapless Czech would have done his standing within the dressing room any good.

The images of Tudor snubbing Kinsky as he walked off the pitch, rather than attempting to have a word in the young keeper's ear about the decision and the enormity of what this night could mean for his career spoke volumes.

Spurs substitutes Dominic Solanke, Gallagher and Joao Palhinha instead ran from the bench and down the tunnel, attempting to console him.

Then there was the strange Cristian Romero moment with Tudor just before Kinsky was removed. The captain came over to speak to the interim boss at length on the touchline and as soon as they finished, the Croatian turned to Vicario and the change was made. Tudor claimed afterwards that it was "My decision, of course" and that he had spoken to Kinsky in the dressing room afterwards.

"He was sorry. He made an excuse for the team. The team is with him. Me too. I was speaking with him," he said. "He understands the moment. He understands why he came out. So, as I said before, he is a very good goalkeeper. We are all together. It is not about one player. So, it has happened. Champions League again. These things."

Spurs imploded in the opening 22 minutes in Madrid, due to their goalkeeper's fragile confidence and players slipping all over the rain-sodden Metropolitano turf.

Just six minutes in, Kinsky slipped onto his backside as he went to pass the ball and ended up hitting it straight to Ademola Lookman on the edge of the Spurs box. The winger passed inside to Julian Alvarez and the former Manchester City man teed up Marcos Llorente to score.

Micky van de Ven was next to slip at a crucial moment on 14 minutes. The Dutchman tumbled and allowed Pape Matar Sarr's pass to roll through to Antoine Griezmann and the experienced Frenchman ran through to beat Kinsky with ease.

While those two goals could be chalked up to slips and the wrong studs, the third Atletico goal two minutes later was purely a horrendous gaffe from Kinsky. He scuffed a simple pass in his box just a yard in front of him to Alvarez, who ran on and poked the ball into the empty net.

The Atletico attacker had enough time to glance back at Kinsky lying on the turf with his hands on his head before gratefully tapping home.

Then came Kinsky's withdrawal and the awkward call for Vicario to replace his replacement. The Italian could not prevent things getting worse on 22 minutes. He made a reflex save to stop Sarr's header flying into his own net from a Griezmann free-kick, but Robin Le Normand headed the loose ball over the line despite Vicario getting something on it.

The irony was that Atletico were not incredible on the night and Tottenham were not dreadful. They conceded three ridiculous goals in those opening minutes but had enough chances to take a result back to north London that could have been turned around.

Pedro Porro fired a low shot into the net to grab one back before the break and Romero sent a header against the outside of the right-hand post. However, Atletico got a fifth goal just 10 minutes into the second half. Richarlison saw his header saved brilliantly at one end by Jan Oblak only for the home side to break up the pitch with Alvarez running through, Porro unable to keep up and eventually giving up as the attacker slotted home clinically.

Solanke did fire another back for Spurs with a powerful effort after Oblak hit his own poor kick straight to Porro and the right-back found the striker to smash home.

However, the problems only got worse for Spurs as they ended the game with nine men on the pitch after Palhinha and Romero clashed heads in added time. The Portuguese staggered off the pitch soon after and the captain played on only to crouch in the centre circle before walking off a minute before the final whistle blew.

Both men could miss Sunday's trip to Liverpool and more crucial games if they are found to have concussion.

"Also, an example of the moment. It is incredible," Tudor told football.london. "It is incredible. We finished the game and we see the two players and there is Micky [Van de Ven], who is already out [against Liverpool] with a red card. Sometimes it is difficult to explain. It looks like everything is against us. Incredible things."

Tudor was asked whether he deserved to carry on as Spurs manager after four defeats in four games and ensuring that Tottenham lost six consecutive matches for the first time in their entire history. "No comment," he replied with a disdainful look.

Has this become an impossible job for the beleaguered Croatian? "I am not taking it that way. I recognise what we are and which problems we have. I recognise that every game, something happens. Sometimes it is very difficult to explain. I see also the wish of the players to do the right things," he said.

"We started good, let's say. These two or three minutes, I feel it during the game. These things, when they happen, what I said before, in the moment where we are now, unfortunately, it is like that. Even these slippery things happen, it explains the moment, because they didn't do it. The pitch was the same for both teams."

Tottenham will be scrambling behind the scenes with the club's next press conference required to be on Friday ahead of Sunday's trip to Anfield. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust called for immediate action in a statement after the game.

"Tonight’s performance and result is a total disgrace. It’s symptomatic of the abysmal state of things at Spurs right now," it read. "From the January transfer window to the management appointments, the lack of leadership and the total absence of anyone with a Spurs pedigree informing these decisions. Where is the Daring to Do? Where are the Echoes of Glory?

"Emergency action is needed as right now we are sleep walking off the edge of a cliff. Being a Spurs fan has never been so difficult but supporters will not sit by and watch the club continue to decline. There will be more to follow…

"At the very least those in Madrid should have their match tickets refunded. But all we really care about is that the club make us proud. We are here to support the team and be the 12th man. But we all deserve so much more."

There's nothing to disagree with there. Spurs now have to come up with a plan to fix the plan that failed to fix the previous plan. The Tudor experiment is only four games old but all the signs are already there that it will not work.

There is a shortage of obvious replacements. Tottenham need someone who understands how this chaotic club works. The logic behind Tudor was sound with his football firefighting history but it has failed because he does not know Spurs and being unable to bring his right-hand man was farcical.

Watching over it all on Tuesday night was former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, alongside his wife Karina, a guest of Atletico as the USA coach kept an eye on their midfielder Johnny Cardoso ahead of the World Cup.

The Argentine was returning to the scene of Tottenham's Champions League final defeat to Liverpool in 2019, where he shed tears on the pitch, and it was the first time he had watched his old club from the stands since.

The 54-year-old had been serenaded by Spurs fans on his flight to Madrid on Tuesday as they called for him to return to north London this summer. He would have seen the size of the task at the relegation-threatened club first hand.

One of his disciples is available right now. Ryan Mason would not be the popular choice of the fans over the nostalgic options from yesteryear of Redknapp and Hoddle.

However, the 34-year-old understands Spurs to its core, knows these players after recent coaching spells at the club and he's done this before, coming in to steady the ship on two previous occasions. If Pochettino is the summer plan - should Real Madrid not swoop - then there are few better handover coaches than Mason in terms of the style of play.

People will point to his tough time at West Brom but the Baggies horror show has continued long since his departure and points to bigger problems at play.

The same goes for Tottenham. The club is in dire straights and a decision must be taken on Tudor. It could be that they allow him to take the game at Anfield in order for any hoped new bounce rather than trounce against Forest, but a change must happen.

Mason's Spurs did almost grab a 3-3 comeback draw at Anfield only for an added time Diogo Jota goal to snatch away the point.

Some might also point out that Mason had Kane and Son to call upon in those days and Bale as well in his second spell, but someone needs to come in with a different voice and an understanding of a club that appears to have no idea of the way forward.

The post-Daniel Levy era was expected to bring the scrutiny away from those at the top of the club but CEO Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange find themselves firmly in the firing line.

Mistakes galore have been made and the duo must pull something out of the hat, otherwise they will be forever tainted as the duo who oversaw Tottenham's demise.

Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust have issued a statement after the club's defeat to Atletico Madrid

Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust called for “emergency action” after the club's chaotic 5-2 loss at Atletico Madrid, with the performance labelled a "total disgrace".

Igor Tudor saw his side well beaten in Madrid with back-up goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky withdrawn after 17 minutes due to two terrible errors. Defeat made Tudor the first Tottenham boss to lose his first four games in charge.

“Tonight’s performance and result is a total disgrace. It’s symptomatic of the abysmal state of things at Spurs right now,” a statement from THST read.

“From the January transfer window to the management appointments, the lack of leadership and the total absence of anyone with a Spurs pedigree informing these decisions. Where is the Daring to Do? Where are the Echoes of Glory?

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

“Emergency action is needed as right now we are sleepwalking off the edge of a cliff. Being a Spurs fan has never been so difficult but supporters will not sit by and watch the club continue to decline.

“At the very least those in Madrid should have their match tickets refunded. But all we really care about is that the club make us proud. We are here to support the team and be the 12th man. But we all deserve so much more.”

The shambolic 5-2 loss in the first leg of the last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid means Spurs have lost six games in a row for the first time in their history. Tudor has only been in charge for 25 days, but refused to answer questions about his future and Tottenham have been urged to act.

The Croatian's bold call to hand Kinsky a first start since October backfired with only six minutes played when he scuffed an attempted crossfield pass and Marcos Llorente subsequently slotted home. A slip by Micky van de Ven allowed Antoine Griezmann to make it 2-0 in the 14th minute and 92 seconds later Kinsky’s coup de grace occurred.

Van de Ven sent the ball back to Kinsky and he miscued his pass in horror fashion, which allowed Julian Alvarez to walk the ball in. Kinsky planted his face into the turf and was withdrawn after Tottenham captain Cristian Romero walked over to speak with Tudor.

Asked if Romero made the call to substitute Kinsky, Tudor responded: “My decision of course.” Pushed on if he deserved to carry on, Tudor responded: “No comment. It is not a topic for me. It is not about my job, it is about how to help the team. It will be always be about that.

“I recognise what we are and which problems we have. I recognise that every game, something happens. Sometimes it is very difficult to explain.”

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky endured a humiliating evening on Tuesday after being substituted during Spurs' 5-2 defeat at Atletico Madrid

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeping coach Fabian Otte has sent a message of encouragement to Antoin Kinsky after the Spurs keeper was substituted against Atletico Madrid. Kinsky endured the embarrassment of being replaced early in the first half of Tuesday's 5-2 thrashing in Spain.

The 22-year-old came in for Guglielmo Vicario as he looked to nail down a spot in Igor Tudor's team. But the Czech 'keeper endured a horror show in the Champions League with a couple of mistakes, which saw Tottenham fall 3-0 down inside the first 15 minutes.

Kinsky looked inconsolable as he walked down the tunnel after being replaced by Vicario with no acknowledgement from Tudor. Many will now be questioning the young star's future in north London after being humiliated at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

And Otte has tried to offer words of encouragement to Kinsky in an Instagram post after the game in Madrid.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

He said: "Everything negative — pressure, challenges — is all an opportunity for me to rise," in reference to a quote from former basketballer Kobe Bryant.

He added: "Big things to come my friend!!"

Tudor explained his unusual decision after the game, claiming he had to make the decision 'to preseve the team'.

The 47-year-old said: "It happened very rare things in my coaching 15 years, I never do that. It was necessary to preserve the guy, to preserve the team. Incredible situation, nothing to comment, you will see. It was, before the game, the right choice to do in the moment like we are.

"Pressure on Vicario, another competition, Toni is a very good goalkeeper. So I was, for me, the right decision. After this, of course, it is easy to say that it was not the right decision.

"I explained to Toni, also speaking after, that he is the right guy and a good goalkeeper. Unfortunately, it happened in this big game, these mistakes.

"We started the game, it was too much for us. In this moment, when we are fragile, we are weak. Even the second half was 4-2, it was almost 4-2 with Richarlison. We tried to score a goal in 4-2 and then we conceded the goal."

Tottenham will now turn their attention back to their Premier League relegation battle as they travel to Liverpool on Sunday. Spurs currently sit one point above the bottom three with nine games left.