Igor Tudor has left his role as Tottenham Hotspur head coach by mutual consent after seven matches in charge.
Tudor was appointed on Feb 14, replacing Thomas Frank, having never managed in the Premier League. He failed to win any of his five Premier League games, losing the first four under his tenure, and leaves after just 44 days.
Timeline and results
– Feb 14: Tudor appointed Spurs head coach
– Feb 22: Lost 4-1 at home to Arsenal (Premier League)
– Mar 1: Lost 2-1 at Fulham (Premier League)
– Mar 5: Lost 3-1 at home to Crystal Palace (Premier League)
– Mar 10: Lost 5-2 at Atletico Madrid (Champions League last 16, first leg)
– Mar 15: Drew 1-1 at Liverpool (Premier League)
– Mar 18: Beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 (Champions League second leg) but exited on aggregate
– Mar 22: Lost 3-0 at home to Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
– Mar 29: Tudor leaves his role
Club statement
The club confirmed the departure, saying it was mutually agreed Tudor would leave with immediate effect. Goalkeeping coach Tomislav Rogic and physical coach Riccardo Ragnacci also left their roles. The club thanked them for their efforts over the past six weeks and acknowledged the bereavement Tudor recently suffered, offering support to him and his family. The statement added an update on a new head coach will be provided in due course.
Personal tragedy
Tudor, 47, was informed immediately after the Nottingham Forest defeat that his father, Mario, had died. He returned to Croatia to lay his father to rest.
Spurs’ position and run-in
Tudor departs with Tottenham 17th in the Premier League, one place and one point above the relegation zone, with seven league games remaining. Their next match is away at Sunderland on April 12. The club will now search for a third managerial appointment this season as they attempt to avoid relegation for the first time since 1977.
Commentary
Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge said Tudor’s exit was “inevitable” and discussed timing in relation to Tudor’s bereavement, noting the board would have weighed the decision carefully given Tudor’s standing inside the club.
Paul Merson warned Spurs’ relegation now feels more believable than ever, describing a squad prone to capitulation and pointing to a worrying inconsistency that could leave Tottenham in real danger if poor results continue.
Tudor in numbers
– 0: Premier League wins under Tudor (one point from five PL games)
– 1: Point gap to safety on exit; Tudor inherited a five-point cushion in 16th place which was cut to one point
– 17: Minutes before Tudor substituted goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in the 5-2 first-leg defeat at Atletico Madrid after errors contributed to goals
– 20: Goals conceded in seven games in charge across all competitions (average 2.8 per game)
– 27%: Opta’s current estimated chance of Spurs being relegated this season, up from 4% before Tudor’s first game in charge
Shortest Premier League tenures
Tudor’s 44 days at Tottenham ranks among the shortest managerial spells in Premier League history, alongside Cristian Stellini (29 days at Tottenham, March 2023), Sam Allardyce (30 days at Leeds), Les Reed (40 days at Charlton) and others.
What’s next
Supporters and pundits have suggested various short-term solutions and candidates with Premier League experience to steady the club. Tottenham face Sunderland (A), Brighton (H), Wolves (A), Aston Villa (A), Leeds (H), Chelsea (A) and Everton (H) in their remaining fixtures as they bid to secure survival.
Sky Sports News will air a special programme, “Inside Spurs,” on Thursday, April 2 at 7pm, featuring guests including Jamie O’Hara to analyse the club’s crisis and prospects.