Tottenham Hotspur has appointed Igor Tudor as their interim head coach for the remainder of the current season. The decision follows the dismissal of Thomas Frank, with Tudor tasked to improve team performance and secure a higher position in the Premier League standings. The club's current league position, 16th and only five points above the relegation zone, underscores the urgency of this move.
Immediate Need for Change at Tottenham
Tottenham's season has been marked by a significant downturn in form, culminating in the sacking of Thomas Frank after a run of only two wins in their last 17 league matches. The defeat against Newcastle, which left the team in a precarious 16th place, appears to have been the decisive factor. The club's management sought an experienced interim solution to stabilize the squad and steer them away from potential relegation.
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The primary objective for Igor Tudor is to arrest a dire run of form and avoid a relegation fight.
Igor Tudor's Background and Mandate
Igor Tudor, a Croatian coach with prior experience at clubs such as Juventus, Lazio, and Olympique Marseille, has been confirmed as the interim head coach. His mandate is described as straightforward: to bring organisation, intensity, and competitive edge to the squad during a crucial phase of the campaign. Tudor is known for his disciplined approach, and his track record suggests an ability to effect immediate improvements, particularly in defensive solidity.
Tudor has a history of taking over clubs mid-season and achieving positive results.
At Juventus, he replaced Thiago Motta and secured Champions League qualification, with the team conceding less than a goal per game under his tenure.
This will be Tudor's tenth club as a head coach, and the Premier League will be the sixth different league he has managed in.
Previous Managerial Tenures: A Look at Tudor's Record
Tudor's interim appointments have often yielded noticeable changes in team performance, particularly in terms of defensive structure.
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| Club | Context of Appointment | Performance Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Juventus | Replaced Thiago Motta in Spring 2025 | Secured Champions League qualification, losing only one of 11 games. |
| Juventus (cont.) | Continued into the following season | A winless run of eight games led to his dismissal. |
| Lazio | Took over midway through a league campaign | Delivered an "instant upturn in results." |
| Hajduk Split | Managed for 70 matches | This is the longest tenure in his managerial career. |
The data suggests a pattern of Tudor being effective in short-term interventions, but questions may arise regarding sustained success.
Tottenham's Recent Struggles and Future Outlook
Tottenham's current league standing highlights a season that has failed to meet expectations. The team's offensive output and defensive consistency have been subjects of concern. The appointment of Tudor is seen by some as a pragmatic choice, banking on his reputation for immediate impact rather than a long-term strategic overhaul at this stage.
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Tottenham sits 14th in the Premier League, five points clear of the relegation zone.
They have secured only two wins in their last 17 league matches.
Frank was dismissed after seven months in charge.
Tudor's appointment is seen as a move to bring greater consistency to performances and enable the team to compete with conviction.
Defensive Metrics: A Point of Comparison
Analysis of previous team performance under Tudor and Frank suggests a potential shift in defensive approach.
| Manager | Team | Goals Conceded Per Game (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Tudor | Juventus | Less than 1 |
| Frank | Tottenham | 1.4 |
The statistics indicate that Tudor's Juventus was a more defensively solid unit compared to Frank's Tottenham, a factor that likely influenced the decision.
Next Steps and Potential Long-Term Plans
The agreement with Tudor is explicitly an interim arrangement, with a permanent head coach expected to be appointed in the summer. This indicates that the club is looking for a short-term solution to navigate the current season. Speculation regarding potential long-term successors has been noted, with former manager Mauricio Pochettino reportedly a favoured candidate.
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Tudor's contract is valid only until the end of the season, with no option for extension.
The club aims to name a long-term successor in the summer.
Tudor is expected to begin training the squad shortly.
The immediate focus remains on securing Premier League survival, with broader strategic decisions deferred until the end of the current campaign.
Sources Used
The New York Times (The Athletic): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7038301/2026/02/13/tottenham-next-manager-igor-tudor/
Sky Sports: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/13507362/igor-tudor-tottenham-confirm-former-juventus-boss-as-head-coach-for-rest-of-season
ESPN: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story//id/47919968/why-tottenham-hotspur-appoint-igor-tudor-interim-coach-stats-say
Tottenham Hotspur Official Website: https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2026/february/men-s-head-coach-update-igor-tudor/
CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/tottenham-igor-tudor-caretaker-manager-thomas-frank/
The Standard: https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham-new-head-coach-igor-tudor-frank-sacking-b1270954.html
Irish News: https://www.irishnews.com/sport/soccer/tottenham-announce-igor-tudor-as-interim-head-coach-for-remainder-of-season-DCIZYVWHPJMT5KCLLLUONN66QA/
IB Times: https://www.ibtimes.com.au/tottenham-turn-igor-tudor-interim-boss-after-sacking-thomas-frank-1861566
101 Great Goals: https://www.101greatgoals.com/football/premier-league/confirmed-tottenham-announce-igor-tudor-as-short-term-interim-coach/
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