Spurs agree deal to make Igor Tudor interim manager until end of season
Tottenham have reached an agreement for Igor Tudor to become their interim manager, leaving the door open for Mauricio Pochettino to return this summer
Tottenham have reached an agreement 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 making checks on the former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic and the former RB Leizpig manager Marco Rose. The former Croatia international has been out of work since he left Juventus in October after the Serie A club went eight games without a win.
Spurs, who are in a fight to stay in the Premier League after a dismal run, have been working through their list of candidates since sacking Thomas Frank this week. They did not want to commit to a long-term appointment and looked for a short-term hire capable of making an instant impact. It is felt that Tudor’s record fits the bill. The former Juventus defender has had spells at Hajduk Split, Paok, Karabukspor, Galatasaray, Udinese, Verona and Marseille, as well as an 11-game stint with Lazio.
The desire to bring an interim will be interpreted as Spurs looking to keep the position open for Pochettino should their former manager indicate 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 because he will take charge of the US at this summer’s World Cup. But the Argentinian could be available after the tournament and has flirted with the idea of resuming his relationship with Spurs on multiple occasions. He remains a fan favourite and had his name chanted during Frank’s final game – the 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle on Tuesday. It seems that Pochettino managing Chelsea during the 2023-24 season will not be held against him by Spurs supporters.
There are no guarantees and Spurs will need a shortlist. The desire to bring in an interim 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 shot at earning the job on a permanent basis if he proves a success. The 47-year-old’s task is to lift Spurs away from danger. They are five points above the bottom three before they host Arsenal in Tudor’s first game next Sunday. The first team squad have been given until Monday off, with Spurs not in action this weekend after their exit from the FA Cup last month, but their new manager will be in place when they return.
Spurs will hope that Tudor can lift the mood in the dressing room and calm the unrest in the stands. Frank struggled to win over supporters and players before leaving after eight months. The atmosphere at home games has been mutinous.
Playing days
An imposing centre-back, Tudor broke through 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 Croatia caps, playing at the 1998 and 2006 World Cups and scoring against England at Euro 2004.
Early managerial career
Tudor's first managerial job came at Hajduk, winning the Croatian Cup in 2013. He lasted just nine months at Greek side 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, having struggled in Europe and fallen out with star player Wesley Sneijder.
Return to Italy
Tudor was named 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 rejoined Hadjuk in January 2020 but after just eight months he was back in Italy, joining Juventus as Andrea Pirlo's assistant. The pair won the 2021 Coppa Italia but failed to regain the title and were dismissed. 'I think it was unfair,' Tudor said. 'I've decided I will no longer work as an assistant for anybody else.'
Season in Verona and Marseille move
Tudor was hired by Verona in September 2021 after they started the season with three league defeats. He improved things quickly, guiding them to a ninth-placed finish – but again leaving 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 flopped in the Champions League, losing twice to Tottenham. He announced his exit in June after 'a great year', saying he was 'tired' of managing Marseille.
Lazio stint and return to Juventus
Tudor waited nine months for his next job, which came at Lazio after Maurizio Sarri resigned. After winning six of his 11 games in charge and sealing a Europa League spot, Tudor walked away after reported disputes with the club hierarchy over transfer targets. Having previously been 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 sacked in October after an eight-game winless run. Guardian sport
Win percentages by club
Hadjuk Split (first stint) 44.9%
PAOK 37.78%
Karabukspor 38.1%
Galatasaray 55.9%
Udinese (combined) 42.3%
Hadjuk Split (second stint) 50.0%
Verona 38.9%
Marseille 56.3%
Lazio 54.6%
Juventus 41.7%
Tudor will have to deal with a huge injury list. Frank, who left after a run of two wins from 17 league games, could not call upon the injured James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski this season. Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison are other notable absentees in attack and Wilson Odobert sustained a serious knee injury this week. Cristian Romero, the captain, has spoken out against the Spurs hierarchy and is serving a four-game ban after his red card during last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Manchester United.
Discussions with Tudor moved swiftly. It is understood that Terzic, who has interest from La Liga for the summer, is keen to find a permanent role. Robbie Keane, the former Spurs striker, was not prepared to leave his role as the Ferencvaros manager to take a caretaker job.