Tottenham Hotspur have officially confirmed the appointment of Igor Tudor as interim head coach until the end of the 2025-26 season. The Croatian manager, who most recently managed Juventus, has agreed to take over from Thomas Frank following the latter’s dismissal on Wednesday after just eight months in charge.
Tudor’s primary mandate is straightforward: bring organization, intensity, and competitive edge to a Tottenham squad languishing in 16th place with just five points separating them from the relegation zone. His first match in charge will be the crucial north London derby against Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 22, 2026.
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Igor Tudor’s Appointment Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Appointment Date | February 13, 2026 |
| Contract Duration | Until June 30, 2026 |
| Previous Club | Juventus FC |
| Position | Interim Head Coach |
| First Match | Arsenal vs Tottenham (February 22) |
| Nationality | Croatian |
| Age | 47 years old |
| Managerial Experience | 10 different clubs |
Igor Tudor’s Managerial History
| Club | Period | Tenure | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hajduk Split | 2013-2015 | 2 years | 70 matches |
| PAOK | 2015-2016 | 8 months | Sacked |
| Karabükspor | 2016-2017 | 1 year | Dismissed |
| Galatasaray | 2017-2018 | 10 months | Sacked |
| Udinese (1st spell) | 2018 | 2 months | Left |
| Udinese (2nd spell) | 2019 | 1 season | Resigned |
| Hellas Verona | 2021-2022 | 8 months | Mutual consent |
| Marseille | 2022-2023 | 1 season | Left citing tiredness |
| Lazio | March-June 2024 | 3 months | Resigned |
| Juventus | March-October 2025 | 7 months | Sacked |
| Tottenham | 2026-present | Until June 2026 | Current |
Tottenham’s Crisis Situation
When Tudor takes over, Spurs are in a precarious position. The club has won just two of their last 17 Premier League matches, a horrifying statistic that prompted the board to sack Thomas Frank despite giving him a chance to turn things around. The team is currently 16th in the table, five points above third-bottom Reading.
Frank’s inability to arrest the team’s defensive frailty and attacking impotence left Tottenham vulnerable to relegation—an unthinkable scenario for a club of their historical stature. Defensive breakdowns, poor chance creation, and lack of offensive cohesion plagued the Frank era.
Tudor’s Track Record
Tudor has built a reputation as a manager capable of making rapid impacts in crisis situations. At Juventus, he inherited a team sitting fifth in Serie A outside the Champions League places. Despite taking charge mid-season, he guided Juve to fourth place and secured Champions League qualification after losing just one of his 11 games in charge.
Similarly, at Lazio in March 2024, Tudor took over a struggling side in ninth place and won five of his nine games, securing seventh-place finish and Europa League qualification. His experience in high-pressure turnarounds makes him an ideal short-term solution for Tottenham’s predicament.
Notable Advantages for Tudor
Several Tottenham players have previously worked under Tudor at Juventus, creating familiarity and reducing the adaptation period. Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Randal Kolo Muani all know Tudor’s tactical philosophy and intensity.
Tudor is renowned for deploying a three-at-the-back formation, which could address Tottenham’s defensive vulnerabilities. His pragmatic, defensive-focused approach could provide the stability Tottenham desperately needs while competing for points.
Permanent Manager Search
The club has already begun considering candidates for a permanent manager position to be filled in the summer. Roberto De Zerbi and Mauricio Pochettino are the primary contenders for the role.
The Italian and Argentine coaches represent different philosophies, with De Zerbi bringing recent European experience and Pochettino offering Tottenham familiarity.
Read More: Official: Raheem Sterling to Feyenoord, Deal Done Until End of 2025-26 Season
FAQs
When was Igor Tudor appointed as Tottenham interim coach?
Igor Tudor was officially confirmed as Tottenham interim head coach on February 13, 2026, with his contract running until June 30, 2026.
What is Igor Tudor’s managerial background?
Tudor, 47, has managed 10 different clubs including Juventus, Lazio, Marseille, and Hellas Verona. He’s known for making rapid impacts in crisis situations and stabilizing struggling teams mid-season.
When is Igor Tudor’s first match in charge?
Tudor’s first match as Tottenham head coach will be the north London derby against Arsenal on February 22, 2026, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Has Igor Tudor managed in the Premier League before?
No, Tottenham is Igor Tudor’s first Premier League experience. He has previously managed in Serie A, Ligue 1, Super Lig, and other European leagues.
Who will be Tottenham’s permanent manager next season?
The club hasn’t confirmed a permanent replacement yet. Roberto De Zerbi and Mauricio Pochettino are the main candidates being considered for the summer appointment.
