Tudor exits Tottenham after 44 days

Igor Tudor has left his post as Tottenham Hotspur head coach by mutual consent after just 44 days in charge and seven matches across all competitions.

Appointed on Feb 14 to replace Thomas Frank, Tudor arrived without prior Premier League managerial experience. He failed to win any of his five league games, losing his first four, and departs with the club one place and one point above the relegation zone.

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

Tottenham confirmed the departure as a mutual agreement with immediate effect. Goalkeeping coach Tomislav Rogic and physical coach Riccardo Ragnacci also left their roles. The club thanked all three for their work over the past six weeks and noted the bereavement Tudor recently suffered, offering support to him and his family. The statement said an update on a new head coach will be provided in due course.

Personal tragedy

Shortly after the 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, Tudor, 47, was informed that his father, Mario, had died. He returned to Croatia to be with his family and 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, and with seven league games left. Their next fixture is away at Sunderland on April 12. The club must appoint a third manager this season as they fight to avoid relegation for the first time since 1977.

Commentary

Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge said Tudor’s exit had become “inevitable,” adding that the board would have taken the timing and Tudor’s bereavement into account. Pundit Paul Merson warned that relegation now feels more plausible than ever, criticizing a squad prone to capitulation and inconsistency that could leave Tottenham in serious danger if poor form persists.

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 that was reduced to one
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 matches in charge across all competitions (average 2.8 per game)
27%: Opta’s 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-day spell ranks among the shortest managerial tenures in Premier League history, alongside others such as Cristian Stellini (29 days at Tottenham, March 2023), Sam Allardyce (30 days at Leeds) and Les Reed (40 days at Charlton).

What’s next

Supporters and pundits have suggested various short-term fixes and candidates with Premier League experience to steady the club. Tottenham’s remaining fixtures are Sunderland (A), Brighton (H), Wolves (A), Aston Villa (A), Leeds (H), Chelsea (A) and Everton (H) as they try to secure survival.

Sky Sports News will broadcast 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.