igor tudor says there is 'no time for excuses' as he aims to steady Tottenham
Igor Tudor has been installed as interim head coach until the end of the season and has warned there is "no time to find excuses" as he tackles a perilous Premier League position. The Croat inherits a squad hit by injuries, a damaging winless run and a battle to climb clear of the relegation zone with 12 league matches remaining.
Clear mandate and an urgent task
Tudor signed a short-term deal on 14 February 2026 at 7: 00 AM ET and immediately set out a stark message to players and supporters: the club's current standing is unacceptable and demands immediate response. With the team five points above the relegation zone, Tudor framed his remit simply — bring organisation, intensity and rapid improvements to results.
He urged the squad to respond with extra commitment and to focus on fundamentals in training. "There is no time to find excuses, " he said, stressing that the priority is to rebuild confidence and courage among the players who are available. He added that concrete improvements on the pitch must follow that mental reset.
Injuries, short time-frame and tactical choices
The new coach faces selection constraints: 11 players are currently sidelined, limiting options and forcing a re-think of systems to suit the available personnel. Tudor said the immediate challenge is identifying the best structure for the present squad while maintaining a style that fits the club's culture and his own principles.
He emphasised that style is more important than strict systems, but acknowledged the need to be pragmatic in a short window. "We need first to find the best system to suit the players that are available in this moment, " he said, noting that training sessions now take on heightened importance as the platform for resetting standards.
Background, expectations and the road ahead
Tudor arrives with a résumé that includes spells across European leagues — as a player he won Serie A with Juventus, and as a coach he has managed clubs in Italy, Turkey, Croatia and France. Notable recent achievements include guiding a top-three Ligue 1 finish to secure Champions League qualification and stepping into mid-season roles to deliver immediate improvements.
His most recent high-profile stint ended in dismissal in October after a prolonged winless period with a previous club, an experience he says has informed his approach to quick stabilisation and short-term impact. He has been clear that he intends to harness the squad's existing quality and maximise it rapidly.
Tudor's first match in charge comes against title-chasing Arsenal at home on 22 February 2026. The fixtures calendar also includes a return to Champions League knockout action in March, meaning Tudor must balance domestic survival priorities with European demands should the team progress.
Supporters will be watching for immediate signs of renewed organisation and belief. The new coach has framed his brief as a call for extra effort from everyone connected to the squad: more intensity in training, clearer direction from the coaching staff and players who respond with courage on the pitch. With little time left in the campaign, Tudor's opening weeks will be judged on whether he can quickly convert those demands into points.
