Igor Tudor's Potential Long-Term Role at Tottenham
Igor Tudor's most recent managerial position was a seven-month tenure at Juventus, ending with his dismissal in October 2025.
Newly appointed Tottenham interim manager Igor Tudor could remain at the club for an extended period, according to Tottenham's sporting director Johan Lange.
The Croatian coach signed a six-month contract earlier this month, taking over from Thomas Frank as head coach for the rest of the season.
Tudor's primary goal is to secure Tottenham's Premier League status, with the club currently five points above the relegation zone and 12 matches remaining.
Prior to Tudor's appointment, sources informed that Tottenham were considering a short-term managerial solution to reassess their options in the summer when more candidates might be available.
However, Lange indicated the club is open to making Tudor's appointment permanent if he performs well.
"Of course if things go well, he could be here for a long time," said Lange.
"We interviewed a few [interim] candidates and Igor impressed us very, very much in the interview.
"If you come in here on the Monday and you are playing at the weekend, you need to build relationships with the players immediately.
"You need to come in to build relationships but of course assess the style of the club immediately. He has shown that with great success, not only once but a few times, to come into that.
"That is one of the reasons why we believe he is the best candidate here now, but of course also with his reputation and what he's done in his career."
Winter Transfer Window and Player Availability
Johan Lange, who joined Tottenham from Aston Villa in 2023, has faced criticism regarding the club's limited activity during the winter transfer window.
Tottenham signed England midfielder Conor Gallagher and Brazilian defender Souza for a combined £38 million last month. However, these acquisitions were balanced by Brennan Johnson's £35 million transfer to Crystal Palace.
Lange defended the club's transfer dealings, citing the conclusion of the Champions League group stage in late January as a factor limiting available players.
"It meant that in January, very few players who could make a difference for us now or in the future were available and then it's back to the point even though the squad is too short we still have players we are unable to register for the last 16," said Lange.
"So to bring in players that cannot help us now or we don't believe have potential for the future, that unfortunately for me doesn't make sense. And if you analyse all the transfers in January, I think everyone can see there were very few players available."
Tudor's Confidence in Tottenham's Survival
Sunday's north London derby against Arsenal will be Tudor's first match in charge.
The former Juventus manager led first team training for the first time on Monday. Tottenham have had 12 days to prepare for the match, following their exit from the FA Cup in the third round.
Tudor has a track record of making immediate impacts at clubs and is confident in Tottenham's ability to avoid relegation.
Asked how confident he was Tottenham would remain in the Premier League next season, Tudor replied "100%."
"I'm not here to enjoy it, I'm here to work," said the 47-year-old.
"Enjoy is the first moment, and then there's work to do. It's a fantastic club. I am very focused to do the right things.
"It is not about systems. It is important to become a team, a group, who will look after each other. For me this is basic.
"After that the quality can come out and, for me, this is a team with quality, with legs that can run. There is potential."
Despite finishing fourth in their Champions League group to advance directly to the last 16, Tottenham have struggled in the Premier League.
Since November, the club has won only two of 17 league matches, drawing six and losing nine. Their last league victory was a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on 28 December, and they have earned just four points from a possible 24 in 2026.
Tottenham, who finished 17th last season, have competed in the top tier of English football every season since spending one year in the old Second Division in 1977-78.
However, the squad faces an injury crisis heading into Sunday's match against rivals Arsenal.
"It's a very rare situation," Tudor added. "We have 10 injuries, we trained with 13 players.
"It is an even bigger challenge to succeed from this situation. My first goal is that we become a team in the right meaning of the word, that suffers when it needs to suffer, to fight, to run, to have the right mentality. The start is always about mentality."
