Lee Smith-Reuters via Imagn Images

Tottenham Brought in Igor Tudor as a Problem-Solver — Can He Save Spurs?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Hartnett | Last updated Feb 13, 2026 3:03 PM ET

Igor Tudor has inherited the Tottenham Hotspur hotseat as the London club looks to avoid relegation in the final months of the Premier League season.

ESPN reported on Friday that Tottenham are putting the finishing touches on finalizing the appointment of Tudor as interim head coach until the end of the 2025-26 season.

Known for his ability to stabilize clubs in crisis, Tudor follows Thomas Frank, who was sacked as Tottenham head coach on Wednesday.

The 47-year-old Croatian oversaw short-term fixes of Juventus and Lazio in each of the last two seasons, but he's got a difficult job on his hands at Tottenham.

Tudor Faces Massively Difficult Task at Spurs

Juventus coach Igor Tudor reacts during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Audi Field. Carlos Barria-Reuters via Imagn ImagesCarlos Barria-Reuters via Imagn Images

Spurs currently sits 16th place in the Premier League table with 29 points through 26 matches played. Only five points separate Tottenham from sliding into the relegation zone.

Injuries to James Maddison, Richarlison, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert have played havoc with Tottenham's season.

Maddison suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury on the eve of the season, and Odobert is out for the remainder of the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Once Tudor takes over at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he will be in his 10th managerial gig over the last 13 years. He's never managed an English club, so his appointment is a bit of a curious one for a club that desperately needs a safe pair of hands to avoid the drop.

It can't be easy for a coach who is brand new to the Premier League to learn on the fly under the pressure of a relegation dogfight — and Tudor's first opponent will be top of the table rivals Arsenal.

Tottenham's next four league matches will come against Arsenal at home on February 22, away to Fulham on March 1, home against Crystal Palace on March 5 and away to Liverpool on March 15.

That tough set of fixtures could be a recipe for disaster for Spurs unless Tudor can quickly adapt and set the beleaguered club on an upward climb.

Tudor has been known as an escape artist. If he's able to guide Spurs to safety, it may be the most impressive feat of his managerial career.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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