Spurs agree deal to make Igor Tudor interim manager until end of season | Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham have agreed a deal for Igor Tudor to become their interim manager until the end of the season, leaving the door open for Mauricio Pochettino to return this summer.
The club turned to Tudor after checking out former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic and former RB Leizpig manager Marco Rose. The former Croatia international has been out of work since leaving Juventus in October after the Serie A club went eight games without a win.
Spurs, who are struggling to stay in the Premier League after a dismal run, have been working on their shortlist since the sacking of Thomas Frank on Wednesday. They didn’t want to commit to a long-term commitment and were looking for a short-term hire who could make an instant impact. Tudor’s balance sheet is believed to fit the bill. The former Juventus defender played for Hajduk Split, Paok, Karabukspor, Galatasaray, Udinese, Verona and Marseille, as well as an 11-game stint with Lazio.
The desire to bring in a caretaker will be interpreted as Spurs looking to keep the job open for Pochettino if their former manager indicates he is ready for an emotional reunion. Pochettino, who had five excellent years in N17 before his dismissal in November 2019, is off the market as he will lead the USA at the World Cup this summer. But the Argentine could be available after the tournament and has repeatedly flirted with the idea of resuming his relationship with Spurs. He remains a fan favorite and had his name chanted during Frank’s last game – the 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle on Tuesday. It appears Pochettino leading Chelsea in the 2023-24 season will not be held against him by Spurs fans.
There are no guarantees and Spurs will need a shortlist. The desire to bring in an interim has ruled out Roberto De Zerbi – the Italian wants a break after leaving Marseille this week – but the former Brighton manager will be a candidate this summer. Spurs have also been linked with Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Fulham’s Marco Silva.
Tudor will have a chance to get this job permanently if he succeeds. The 47-year-old’s task is to keep Spurs out of danger. They are five points above the bottom three before hosting Arsenal in Tudor’s opener next Sunday. The first team have had until Monday off, with Spurs not in action this weekend following their FA Cup exit last month, but their new manager will be in place when they return.
Spurs will be hoping Tudor can boost morale in the dressing room and quell unrest in the stands. Frank struggled to convince supporters and players before leaving after eight months. The atmosphere at home matches was mutinous.
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Igor Tudor
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Game days
An imposing central defender, Tudor rose to prominence at hometown club Hajduk Split before joining Juventus in 1998. He spent nine years in Turin, winning two Serie A titles before returning to Hajduk. Tudor also won 55 caps for Croatia, appearing at the 1998 and 2006 World Cups and scoring against England at Euro 2004.
Start of managerial career
Tudor’s first managerial job came at Hajduk, winning the Croatian Cup in 2013. He spent just nine months with Greek club Paok before being sacked due to “unsuccessful results and criticism of the team”. After a year at Karabukspor, Tudor moved to Galatasaray but was sacked after 10 months, after struggling in Europe and falling out with star player Wesley Sneijder.
Return to Italy
Tudor was appointed head coach of Udinese in April 2018 and saved the club from relegation. He left in the summer, but returned to Friuli in March 2019. Tudor joined Hadjuk in January 2020, but after just eight months he was back in Italy, joining Juventus as assistant to Andrea Pirlo. The duo won the 2021 Coppa Italia but failed to regain the title and were dismissed. “I think it was unfair,” Tudor said. “I have decided to no longer work as an assistant for someone else.”
Season in Verona and Marseille move
Tudor was hired by Verona in September 2021 after starting the season with three league defeats. He quickly improved things, guiding them to a ninth-place finish – but leaving again at the end of the season. Tudor’s next job came at Marseille, where he replaced Jorge Sampaoli. The team finished third in Ligue 1 but failed in the Champions League, losing twice to Tottenham. He announced his departure in June after “a great year”, saying he was “tired” of managing Marseille.
Move to Lazio and return to Juventus
Tudor waited nine months for his next job, which came at Lazio after the resignation of Maurizio Sarri. After winning six of his 11 games in charge and clinching a place in the Europa League, Tudor walked away after reporting differences with the club’s hierarchy over transfer targets. Previously linked with a return to Juventus, Tudor replaced Thiago Motta in March 2025, guiding the club to fourth place. He signed a contract extension until 2028, but was fired in October after an eight-game winless run. Goalkeeper sport
Winning percentages by club
Hadjouk Split (first pass) 44.9%
Paok 37.78%
Karabükspor 38.1%
Galatasaray 55.9%
Udinese (combined) 42.3%
Hadjouk Split (second relay) 50.0%
Verona 38.9%
Marseille 56.3%
Lazio 54.6%
Juventus 41.7%
Tudor will face a huge injury list. Frank, who left after a run of two wins in 17 league matches, has been unable to call on the injured James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski this season. Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison are other notable absentees in attack and Wilson Odobert suffered a serious knee injury this week. Captain Cristian Romero has spoken out against the Spurs hierarchy and is serving a four-match ban following his red card in last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Manchester United.
Discussions with Tudor progressed quickly. It is understood that Terzic, who is interested in La Liga for the summer, is keen to find a permanent role. Former Spurs striker Robbie Keane was not ready to leave his role as Ferencvaros manager to take up an interim role.
