Igor Tudor overhauls coaching staff as Primavera signing is shown the exit after one month
Igor Tudor has wasted no time reshaping the first-team setup, ushering out three coaches — one of whom had been in place for only a month — and bringing in his own trusted lieutenants as he seeks an immediate turnaround in results. The changes come as Tudor prepares to instil intensity and organisation at a club mired in a precarious league position.
Brief spell ends for Heitinga as Tudor installs trusted staff
John Heitinga’s stay was cut short after arriving on 15 January 2026; he leaves after barely a month in the role. Heitinga had most recently worked with a high-profile Premier League coaching group last season and had taken a brief managerial role that ended in November. His exit is among three departures from the coaching ranks this week, with Justin Cochrane and Chris Haslam also departing the club.
The incoming head coach moved quickly to name his preferred backroom team. Ivan Javorcic will join as assistant coach, Riccardo Raganacci as physical coach and Tomislav Rogic as goalkeeper coach. All three have previously worked with Tudor and are viewed as a cohesive unit capable of implementing his methods immediately. Their starts are subject to securing the required work permits, which remain outstanding at this stage.
Tudor’s mandate: intensity, organisation and quick impact
The appointment of igor tudor was confirmed on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 12: 00 ET, with a clear short-term brief: steady the ship, lift performances and secure results that will move the team away from the drop zone. Tudor has been tasked with bringing greater consistency and competitive edge to a squad that has struggled for form and momentum this season.
Since stepping into the role, Tudor has emphasised a change in culture. Players returned from a short break to a demanding opening session led by the new head coach, who has stressed intensity in training and sharper tactical organisation on the pitch. With just a week to prepare for a high-profile north London derby, Tudor’s first priority is to impose a clear identity and raise standards across all areas of performance.
Context and immediate challenges
The coaching overhaul follows a difficult run of results that left the team perilously close to the relegation zone. The outgoing staff had been part of the previous manager’s setup, with two of the departing coaches joining last summer. Tudor’s decision to clear space for his trusted lieutenants signals a readiness to make swift structural changes ahead of crucial fixtures.
Personnel issues add further complication. The defensive options are thinner than ideal, with at least one centre-back suspended and another sidelined by injury, forcing Tudor to weigh tactical adjustments and personnel management in equal measure. The new coaches bring familiarity with Tudor’s preferred methods — including a propensity for a three-at-the-back system at previous clubs — but whether that will translate immediately in the Premier League will be a central question over coming weeks.
For now, the message from the training ground is unambiguous: standards will be raised, and there will be little tolerance for complacency. The club has handed Tudor a short-term contract with explicit expectations of stabilising performances and producing an immediate impact. With the derby looming and league safety paramount, the next fixtures will be an early test of whether the overhaul can deliver the quick uplift the club requires.
