Igor Tudor takes charge at Tottenham and immediately targets Arsenal
Igor Tudor was confirmed as Tottenham's men's head coach on Sat, Feb. 14, 2026, 7: 00 a. m. ET and wasted no time returning the squad to work. After being granted a work permit and flying to London on Sun, Feb. 15, 2026, he addressed the players and led his first session on Mon, Feb. 16, 2026, setting a clear short-term aim: prepare for the north London derby and arrest a worrying run of form.
Hard work from day one as training tone changes
Players reported back to Hotspur Way after five days off following a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle, and Tudor immediately made intensity the hallmark of his regime. He told the group it was his remit to "organise it, energise it and improve our results quickly, " and the afternoon session reflected that brief — sharper, more physical and with an emphasis on work-rate.
The shift in tone is notable given player frustration with the previous training approach, which was seen as slow and overly tactical. Tudor has a reputation as a demanding coach who expects full commitment in both preparation and match situations; Spurs' hierarchy have made clear they want an immediate uplift in performances to pull clear of relegation danger and reinvigorate confidence ahead of high-stakes fixtures.
Derby week focus and tactical questions
Tudor arrives with a week on the training ground before the north London derby, and his early sessions have been geared toward sharpening defensive organisation and transitional intensity. He favours a back three at times in his career, but formation choice for the derby is likely to be influenced by current availability.
Tottenham face selection headaches at centre-back: Cristian Romero is suspended and Kevin Danso is sidelined by injury, leaving the squad short in central defence. That scarcity will test Tudor's ability to adapt quickly and to impose his preferred demands on personnel already under pressure. Expect pragmatic selections and a simpler tactical framework in the short term as Tudor balances structure with the need for immediate results.
A proven mid-season fixer with a short-term impact record
Tudor arrives with a well-established reputation for stepping into troubled mid-season jobs and engineering rapid improvements. His managerial CV shows multiple instances where he took charge late in campaigns and stabilised performances: turning around relegation-threatened sides in Italy, securing European spots with short runs of positive results, and delivering cup success where expectations were low.
That track record helps explain why the club has backed a coach without prior Premier League experience: the brief is simple and urgent — steady the ship and produce points. Tudor's previous stints suggest he will prioritise clarity, intensity and immediate defensive organisation while seeking quick wins to lift the squad mentally and on the table.
With a tight timeline and a high-profile derby looming, Tudor's early days will be judged on the visible response in training and the selection choices he makes for the match. The next week will reveal whether his style and short-term approach can deliver the fast turnaround Spurs hope for.
