Igor Tudor: Tottenham head coach says 'no time for excuses' ahead of first game against Arsenal
Igor Tudor has issued a blunt message in his first public comments since being appointed Tottenham head coach: there is "no time to find excuses". The Croatian, who has signed a short-term deal until the end of the season, says he will demand more from his squad, will not settle for draws and is targeting victory in Sunday’s north London derby, kick-off 11: 30am ET.
Immediate demands and a change of tempo
Tudor arrived with a clear brief to inject confidence and urgency into a side that sits 16th in the Premier League and only five points above the relegation zone. He took his first training session within days of being granted clearance to work in England and made intensity a priority, telling players the situation is unacceptable and each individual must give something extra.
In his opening interview, Tudor stressed the balance he intends to strike: he wants bravery from his players but also intelligence and tactical discipline. He emphasised concrete improvements on the pitch alongside the psychological boost of restoring belief, insisting he will not set up a team to merely avoid defeat but to win.
Daunting debut in a high-stakes derby
The first test of Tudor’s short-term project is a high-profile encounter against league leaders Arsenal. The fixture presents a difficult introduction — the club’s supporters expect commitment and results — but Tudor has made clear that his aim for the weekend is victory rather than consolidation. He described the derby as a "fantastic game to play" and pledged to approach it with courage and smart tactics.
Selection and personnel pose immediate headaches. Defensive options are limited: one centre-back faces suspension and another is sidelined through injury, narrowing Tudor’s choices at the back. How he lines his team up — whether to maintain a back three he has favoured in previous jobs or switch shape for the occasion — will be closely watched.
Short-term fixer with a record of immediate impact
Tudor arrives with a reputation for stepping into difficult mid-season jobs and producing rapid turnarounds. Past spells have seen him inherit teams in trouble and guide them to safety or improved form in short order. That track record is a factor in the club’s decision to hand him the reins for the remainder of the campaign.
Still, questions remain about longevity and whether the quick fixes that have defined much of Tudor’s career can be translated into sustained progress at a club with the expectations and pressures of Tottenham. For now the task is clear: stabilise the team, pick up points and lift a squad that has slipped into a perilous league position.
With a week on the training ground to imprint his methods before the derby, Tudor has set a simple mandate for his new charges — give more, be brave, and back that bravery with concrete improvements on the pitch. The performance and result on Sunday will offer the first meaningful snapshot of whether his approach can arrest a worrying run of form.
