Yesterday it was widely reported by the media. Today it is confirmed by the club. Tottenham Hotspur have formally announced the appointment of former Juventus manager Igor Tudor as interim head coach until the end of the season.
When the club sacked Thomas Frank after the disastrous 2-1 loss at home to Newcastle, Spurs
sat five points above West Ham in the relegation zone, and the prospects of a catastrophic slide to the second division next season became a distinct, if still unlikely, possibility. Tudor, who has had an impressive record turning around clubs in desperate need of a vibe shift, has been appointed to steady the shift and give Tottenham’s squad of misfit toys and walking injured a boost of confidence. Tottenham need, basically, 12 points out of their last 12 matches in order to achieve mathematical safety. Tudor will attempt to do that, and more.
It’s a temporary job with nothing in the contract to suggest Tudor will be here past June, though obviously if he does well enough there are suggestions he could manage himself into contention for the permanent position. That said, the club’s vision is to make a permanent appointment in the summer, likely after the World Cup when several high profile managers are likely to be available.
Tudor, in quotes given on Tottenham’s website, said he understands his mandate.
“I understand the responsibility I have been handed and my focus is clear. To bring greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every match.
“There is strong quality in this playing squad, and my job is to organise it, energise it and improve our results quickly.”
—Igor Tudor, Tottenham Hotspur Interim Head Coach
The decision to appoint Tudor was made jointly by CEO Vinai Venkatesham and Sporting Director Johan Lange. On Tudor’s appointment, Lange said the following:
“Igor brings clarity, intensity and experience of stepping into challenging moments and producing impact.
“Our objective is straightforward – to stabilise performances, maximise the quality within the squad and compete strongly in the Premier League and Champions League.”
— Johan Lange, Tottenham Sporting Director
Tudor’s first match is a challenging one: taking on arch-rivals and top of the table Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next weekend. It will be a big challenge, to be sure, but in the North London Derby throw the records out the window — Spurs will be at home and will, presumably, have a raucous crowd on hand to see what all the Tudor is about.
