The managerial merry-go-round at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has taken a decisive turn. Just days after the ruthless mid-game dismissal of Thomas Frank, Spurs have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with former Lazio and Marseille boss Igor Tudor to take the reins as interim head coach until the end of the season.
While the search for a long-term successor continues behind the scenes, the appointment of the fiery Croatian marks a shift toward a "no-nonsense" approach to steer the club away from a catastrophic relegation battle.
Why Igor Tudor?
Tudor has developed a reputation across Europe as a high-impact "firefighter" known for demanding extreme fitness and tactical discipline. With Spurs currently sitting in 16th place, the board—led by the duo of Daniel Levy and Johan Lange—reportedly feels that a "short, sharp shock" is exactly what the underperforming squad requires.
Tactical Profile: Tudor is a proponent of an aggressive 3-4-2-1 system, which many believe suits the current roster of wing-backs and versatile forwards better than Frank’s more rigid setups.
The "Marseille Blueprint": During his time in France, Tudor was praised for his "heavy metal" football, a style that shares DNA with the high-intensity identity Spurs fans have been craving.Immediate Availability: Having been out of work since leaving Lazio in mid-2024, Tudor is ready to step in immediately, potentially taking charge before the daunting clash against league leaders Arsenal.
The Two-Track Search: The Hunt for the "Permanent" Boss
While Tudor handles the immediate crisis on the pitch, Levy and Lange are still spearheading a separate, exhaustive search for a permanent manager to take over in the summer of 2026.
Despite the interim agreement, the club's "A-List" targets remain unchanged:
Mauricio Pochettino: Still the emotional frontrunner for a summer homecoming once his duties with the USMNT allow.
Roberto De Zerbi: Remains the primary target for those within the club advocating for a total tactical rebuild.Xavi: The former Barcelona man is still being sounded out regarding his interest in a long-term project in London.
What Happens to the "Shock" Shortlist?
The move for Tudor suggests that the rumored pursuit of Gareth Southgate may have been a contingency plan rather than a primary goal. By opting for a specialized interim like Tudor, Spurs avoid making a long-term commitment to a manager who might not fit the "elite" profile they are targeting for the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
"The instruction is clear: stabilize the dressing room, secure Premier League safety, and let the recruitment team find the man for the next decade." — Internal source on the Tudor deal.