EPL: Tottenham appoint ex-Juve coach Igor Tudor as interim manager

Tottenham Hotspur have appointed Igor Tudor as Men’s Head Coach until the end of the season, subject to a work permit, following the sacking of former manager Thomas Frank.

Frank was dismissed on Wednesday after Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United left Spurs 16th in the Premier League, just five points above the relegation zone.

Tottenham, in a Saturday statement posted on its website, said Tudor joins with a clear mandate: to improve performances, deliver results, and move the club up the table.

“His mandate is straightforward – bring organisation, intensity and competitive edge to the squad at a decisive stage of the campaign,” the club stated.

Speaking about his arrival, Tudor said: “It is an honour to join this Club at an important moment.

It read, “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.”

Sporting Director Johan Lange added: “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.”

A Serie A title-winner with Juventus as a player and former Croatia international, Tudor has consistently delivered improvements following mid-season appointments.

He has managed Galatasaray, Udinese, Hajduk Split, and Hellas Verona. Tudor led Marseille to third place in Ligue 1 in 2022/23, securing Champions League qualification, and in March 2024 guided Lazio to a strong Serie A finish and Europa League qualification.

Most recently, he returned to Juventus in March 2025 and led them to Champions League qualification.

PUNCH Online on Friday reported that there are speculations that Spurs were closing in on the appointment of Tudor as interim head coach after the Croatian informed the club he is ready to accept a short-term contract until June.