Soccer
Igor Tudor leaves role as Tottenham head coach after seven games
Igor Tudor has left his role as Tottenham head coach after just 44 days and seven matches in charge.
Spurs made the surprise decision to turn to the Croatian after Thomas Frank was dismissed on February 11.
Tudor had never managed in the Premier League, but had experience of sparking an upturn in form after mid-season arrivals and yet suffered five defeats from seven games, including four in a row at the start of his reign.
A club statement on Sunday afternoon read: “We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed for head coach Igor Tudor to leave the club with immediate effect.
“Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci have also left their respective roles of goalkeeping coach and physical coach.
“We thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their efforts during the past six weeks, in which they worked tirelessly. We also acknowledge the bereavement that Igor has recently suffered and send our support to him and his family at this difficult time.
“An update on a new head coach will be provided in due course.”
The most recent defeat came at home to Nottingham Forest on March 22, prior to the international break.
Immediately after that game, the 47-year-old learned his father Mario had died.
Tudor’s exit leaves Spurs without a head coach heading into the final seven games of the Premier League season, with the London club just one place and one point above the relegation zone.
Assistant Bruno Saltor will lead training for the players not away on international duty at the moment, the Press Association understands, with the club aiming to appoint a new head coach in the coming days, in time for the full squad being back together and a crucial 10-day preparation period ahead of the April 12 fixture at Sunderland.
Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and ex-Burnley and Everton manager Sean Dyche are among the bookmakers’ favourites to take over, or they could turn to Ryan Mason, boyhood Spurs fan and player who has twice been caretaker before.
Another man linked with the role, Adi Hutter, appeared to distance himself on Sunday evening from any suggestion he would take up the reins for the run-in.
In a statement, quoted by Sky Sport Austria, the former Monaco boss said: “In recent days and weeks, I have been increasingly linked with various clubs.
“However, as I already stated immediately after my time at Monaco, I would prefer not to work as a head coach again until the start of the new season at the earliest. My position on this matter has not changed since then.”
Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust responded to the news of Tudor’s departure by urging the club to now make a “wise choice” regarding his replacement.
Its post on X read: “With thanks to Igor and his team for their efforts, and wishing him and his family time to come to terms with their loss.
“In a season of bad calls, let’s hope we now see a wise choice for the remainder of the campaign.
“Someone who understands the club and is up to the task in front of them: retaining our Premier League status. Someone we can all be proud of and who can bring some much needed success and enjoyment to our long suffering fanbase.”
