Tottenham Hotspur have chosen a manager until the end of the season. Like last year, when Juventus appointed him as an interim solution, Igor Tudor is now definitely, almost officially, the new manager of the London club. The Croatian coach is a strong choice for this role — a specialist in winning important matches and someone who can quickly improve performances and results in the domestic league.
Igor Tudor’s main characteristics:
He is also known as an expert on league football and plays smart possession football with good players with the ball. He closes players with good characteristics with the ball. He is not given an advantage in some games on harm of the others. He plays every match with the best players.
Last season, Tudor arrived at Juventus without big expectations or media support or coverage. However, after a series of strong performances, he earned a permanent contract with Juventus in the summer. He left the club at the end of November, when he was quietly replaced on the bench by former Italy national team coach Luciano Spalletti.
Luciano Spalletti commented on Tudor at Juventus.
Before taking over, the Italian manager stated that Tudor’s successor would have a very good foundation to build on, as Tudor had left behind a well-organised and competitive team.
At Juventus, Tudor worked with current Tottenham forward Randal Kolo Muani, who could benefit from being reunited with a coach he already knows well.
Igor Tudor’s playing style:
Tudor is a coach who prefers possession-based football and wants his team to control matches with possession. He focuses on each game individually and is particularly effective in domestic league competitions. He likes technically strong players who are comfortable on the ball, which makes him a suitable short-term solution until the end of the season.
Tudor’s first task is well known at Tottenham.
His tactical system could work well at Tottenham with the players Tottenham has. The first issue is that the number of injured players is reduced. His first task will be to stabilise the squad and solve the injury problems that have seriously affected the team.
Tottenham have made a very solid decision by appointing an interim manager with experience at a high level. Premier League Analysis expects improved performances and believes Tottenham can move away from the relegation battle quickly before the season ends.
Tottenham have been highly successful in the Champions League this season:
Potential opponents for the Spurs in the Champions League:
Tottenham will also compete in the Champions League. They qualified directly for the next round as fourth in the Champions League group, and their next opponent is yet to be confirmed.
It is yet unknown who will play against the team since there are two elimination matches to be played, and then the draw will decide who Tottenham will face in the next round of the Champions League. By finishing fourth in the group, they passed directly in next stage.
Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge or Galatasaray are potential Tottenham Hotspur opponents in the fight for 1/4 finals. They will play against one of these four clubs. It will be known after the play-in finishes and will be decided by the draw.
Igor Tudor- No Premier League experience, and scepticism is not justified.
Despite scepticism in parts of the English media and among some Tottenham supporters — mainly due to Tudor’s limited experience in the Premier League — people close to the club believe there is no reason to worry. Tudor arrives as a tactical expert who can stabilise Tottenham through structured football, disciplined, wise positioning and organisation on the pitch, and controlled possession. He can take Spurs away from the fight for survival.
Igor Tudor plays wise football with good players and has a great play style for Tottenham, which has good players who can adopt his ideas. Tottenham Hotspur can play and develop a very great football style with possession with Tudor.
The difference between Thomas Frank
Igor Tudor is also regarded as a serious football professional, very different in approach from Thomas Frank, whose public appearances lacked respect toward colleagues and who struggled to manage strong personalities such as Cristian Romero and Richarlison.
Thomas Frank does not rally possession, which is a key factor for Tudor. Also, he builds games on discipline, not possession, which has led Tottenham FC to straight disaster. There is no firm game plan, no positioning and full ball control.
Tottenham have made a strong and calculated choice for the remainder of the season. The new appointee is much, much different.
Roberto De Zerbi Totanham’s long-term manager from the summer
After a period of lethargy under Thomas Frank, Tottenham are now very close to Roberto De Zerbi, who officially left Marseille a few days ago. Marseille were defeated by Paris Saint-Germain in December in the Super Cup and then again recently in the league, and those two derby losses led to De Zerbi’s departure.
It appears that Tottenham’s board are strongly interested in bringing the Italian coach to North London. De Zerbi is known as a demanding and strict manager who requires full control within the club.
He insists on total commitment, competitive discipline, and strong tactical authority. That would represent a complete contrast to Thomas Frank, who led the team largely through his own narratives without imposing a clear football identity.
De Zerbi leaves behind a successful spell at Marseille, where he built a powerful side with a clear tactical framework and strong football identity. Tottenham’s hierarchy is seriously considering bringing him back to the Premier League, where he previously managed Brighton and made a significant impression with his style of play.
Another option for long-term manager appointment in the summer:
The alternative option is Mauricio Pochettino, currently head coach of the United States national team. He could potentially become available after the World Cup. Pochettino is fully committed to his role with the United States and has spent the past year and a half building a new football identity within the squad.
Before him, the United States were led by another well-known European name, Jürgen Klinsmann, who had a very long tenure with the national team.
Only a major failure at the upcoming World Cup would realistically open the door for Pochettino to return to Tottenham, as the Argentine coach appears highly dedicated to his current project. He has developed the team and has been great in his job as a USA coach.
As World Cup hosts, the United States did not have to play qualification matches, but they have played numerous friendlies that have served as preparation for Pochettino’s long-term plan. The USA will have a great chance on the side of the main host to play good football at the tournament.
Pochettino is seriously tied to this project, and it is unlikely he will leave the USA national team.
After his previous spell at Tottenham, Pochettino also managed Chelsea, one of Spurs’ biggest rivals. It said it all for sure.
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