Tottenham accelerate talks to appoint Igor Tudor on short-term deal
Tottenham Hotspur’s coaching hunt moved up a gear on Friday, February 13, 2026 (ET), with talks advancing to install Igor Tudor as head coach on a contract through the end of the season. The 47-year-old Croatian, who previously led Galatasaray and most recently Juventus, has emerged as a leading candidate to steady the team after Thomas Frank’s departure.
Talks advance as short-term offer takes shape
Discussions have progressed this week, including a meeting on Friday aimed at ironing out the details of a short-term agreement. The proposal on the table runs until the close of the current campaign, giving Tottenham flexibility to reassess the position in the summer. Tudor and his representatives are evaluating the offer, and there is optimism that a deal can be wrapped up swiftly, positioning him to take charge for the final months of the season.
Why Tudor appeals to Spurs right now
In the wake of Frank’s exit, club decision-makers have prioritized a coach capable of delivering clear structure and immediate impact. Tudor’s profile fits the brief: a demanding organizer who favors an intense approach and a defined back-three framework. He has experience parachuting into challenging situations and instilling sharp, repeatable habits in short order—an attribute that carries weight when there is little time for a lengthy reset.
The short-term nature of the proposed deal also aligns with the club’s broader planning, keeping avenues open for a comprehensive summer review while ensuring the current squad has a strong tactical reference point for the run-in.
What Tudor would bring: system and edge
Tudor’s hallmark is a high-tempo, front-foot style built on a back three, proactive wing-backs, and aggressive pressing triggers. The structure is designed to compress space, spring quick transitions, and create overloads in wide channels. It often asks for athleticism in the defensive line, vertical running from midfield, and direct routes to goal once possession is won.
His recent stop at Juventus ended earlier this year after a difficult eight-game winless stretch, but his broader résumé is substantial. Tudor has managed in several top leagues, including stints with Marseille and Lazio in Serie A and Ligue 1, Hellas Verona in Italy, and Galatasaray and Karabükspor in Turkey. That depth of experience—across different cultures and pressure environments—underscores why he has been elevated in Tottenham’s search.
How the squad could be reshaped
A Tudor appointment would likely herald immediate tactical adjustments. A switch to three central defenders would alter responsibilities across the back line, with wing-backs tasked to provide both width and defensive recovery. Midfield roles would be geared toward bite and verticality, supporting quick surges and second-ball battles. In attack, forwards would press aggressively and make explosive runs into channels, with the aim of turning regains into high-value chances.
These shifts are designed to tighten the team without sacrificing threat, a balance Tottenham will target to stabilize results over the remaining fixtures.
Timeline and what comes next
Tottenham’s next league match is scheduled for February 22 (ET), offering a narrow window to finalize an appointment and for any incoming coach to introduce core principles on the training pitch. Should the club and Tudor reach full agreement, standard formalities—contract signing and staffing selections—would follow before attention turns to match preparation.
The short-term mandate is clear: sharpen the team’s defensive organization, raise intensity out of possession, and convert the club’s attacking talent into reliable end product. If the agreement is completed in the coming days, Tudor could be in position to oversee that transition immediately, providing the jolt Spurs are seeking for the run-in.
