Igor Tudor’s Managerial Journey and Tottenham’s Current Crisis
Igor Tudor has managed clubs including Hajduk Split, Galatasaray, Udinese, Marseille, Lazio, and Juventus.
Tottenham Hotspur face a critical juncture following a devastating 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, marking a new low in an already troubled season.
On Wednesday, Tottenham announced that interim manager Igor Tudor would address the media on Friday ahead of the Premier League match against Liverpool.
Tudor, appointed partly due to his reputation for making a positive short-term impact, has overseen four consecutive defeats in his 25-day tenure since replacing Thomas Frank on 14 February.
While hopes of progressing in the Champions League appear bleak after the recent loss, Tottenham’s Premier League status remains the most urgent concern.
The club is battling to avoid its first relegation from the top flight since 1977, sitting just one point above the relegation zone with nine games remaining, only ten months after winning the Europa League.
"In footballing terms, this is an absolute crisis that Tottenham are in," commentator John Murray said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
With Tudor struggling to reverse the club’s fortunes and little sign of improvement, questions arise about potential alternatives to salvage the season.
What Do Spurs Need in a Manager?
Tudor was initially admired for his ability to improve teams quickly, including his tenure at Juventus, where he secured Champions League qualification with just one defeat in nine matches at the end of the 2024-25 season.
However, he has yet to replicate such success at Tottenham.
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live that Tudor "was not the right appointment from the start."
"We talk about a new manager bounce, when a new manager comes in and the players react and they get one or two results. That's what Tottenham were looking for," Robinson said.
"For Tottenham, it's the wrong person at the wrong time. You saw the performance of the players. The minimum requirement is maximum effort.
"The attitude and application was not there. They were not playing for the manager."
Tottenham have scored five goals and conceded 14 in their four losses under Igor Tudor.
Tottenham now prepare for a Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, a venue where they have conceded 17 goals in their last four visits across all competitions.
A vital home game against relegation rivals Nottingham Forest follows the next week's return leg against Atletico Madrid.
The mood within the squad has been candid off the pitch, with Spurs midfielder Yves Bissouma describing the situation as "a big emergency."
Former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood criticized Tudor for exacerbating the club’s problems.
"He hasn't given the players a lift at all.
"He's a firefighter who has a can of petrol in his hand - he's adding fuel to the fire rather than restoring confidence to the players."
A manager capable of restoring confidence in a squad that ended a 17-year trophy drought last season but finished 17th in the league would be crucial if Tottenham opt for a change.
This need is underscored by Tuesday’s loss in Madrid, where 22-year-old goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was substituted after a harsh opening 17 minutes, consoled by teammates but notably ignored by Tudor as he left the pitch.
Former Tottenham winger Chris Waddle emphasized the players’ responsibility.
"The players are drained of confidence," Waddle said.
"We can talk all day about management and the players but the biggest thing in football is; if you've got no confidence, don't play.
"So many Spurs players hide because they've got no confidence. They don't want to cross that white line and you can see that."
Who Could Spurs Call Upon?
If Tottenham prioritize man-management in their next appointment, several former associates could be considered.
Ryan Mason, a former Spurs midfielder, served as interim head coach in 2021 and 2023, managing 13 Premier League games before becoming assistant coach to Ange Postecoglou. Mason ended his seven-year coaching career at Spurs last summer to manage West Brom but was dismissed in January.
Tim Sherwood has suggested he could take a short-term role to help Tottenham out of trouble.
Former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino was reportedly a candidate to replace Frank permanently, but his contract with the United States men's national team runs until after the 2026 World Cup.
Harry Redknapp, another former Spurs manager, has ruled himself out.
"I won't [take the job] - I don't expect to get a call," Redknapp told BBC Radio 5 Live. "My focus this week is enjoying myself at Cheltenham."
Robbie Keane was reportedly interested in the role before Tudor's appointment in February.
Tottenham may also look beyond familiar names, but options remain limited within their criteria.
Spurs sought a manager with a proven immediate impact, top-level experience, and an attacking style.
When the search began to replace Frank, dismissed after less than eight months, candidates included former Marseille boss Roberto de Zerbi, ex-Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic, and former RB Leipzig coach Marco Rose.
De Zerbi left Marseille by mutual consent after nearly two years, three days before Tottenham confirmed Tudor's appointment.
Terzic parted ways with Dortmund in June 2024 after leading them to the Champions League final.
Rose was sacked by RB Leipzig in March 2025, having won 72 of 127 matches and secured the German Cup in 2023.
Within the Premier League, managers such as Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola, and Marco Silva will be available this summer, but it is uncertain if they would leave their current clubs early to assist Tottenham.
Glasner, who won the FA Cup, confirmed he will leave Crystal Palace this summer, though his immediate future was uncertain in February amid poor results.
Bournemouth reportedly plan to open contract talks with Iraola to fend off interest from Crystal Palace, Tottenham, and Manchester United.
Fulham’s Tony Khan expressed confidence that Silva will remain at the club "for a long time."
