Igor Tudor has been appointed as the interim head coach of Tottenham Hotspur, the club confirmed on Saturday, February 14, 2026. The Croatian coach will lead the team until the end of the current season, subject to obtaining the necessary work permit.
The appointment follows the dismissal of Thomas Frank earlier in the week, leaving Tottenham seeking stability as they battle to maintain their Premier League status. The club currently sits five points above the relegation zone with 12 league games remaining.
According to a statement released by Tottenham, Tudor’s primary focus will be to “bring greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in all matches.” Tudor himself expressed his honor at joining the club, acknowledging the responsibility entrusted to him.
Although, the club views Tudor’s arrival as a short-term solution. Sources indicate Tottenham considers Tudor an “interim” appointment, intended to bridge the gap until the end of the season when they anticipate being able to secure their primary managerial targets. Those targets are currently understood to be Mauricio Pochettino, who manages the United States national team and Roberto De Zerbi, who is currently a free agent.
Patrick Kendrick, an Italian football commentator, described Tudor as a “firefighter,” noting his willingness to step into short-term roles to stabilize teams. Kendrick pointed to Tudor’s previous stints at Juventus and Lazio, where he quickly improved results upon arrival. At Juventus, Tudor took over a team in fifth place in Serie A and secured Champions League qualification, losing only one of his 11 games in charge.
The decision to appoint Tudor represents a significant move for Tottenham’s technical director, Johan Lange, and chief executive, Vinai Venkatesham. The appointment is seen as a critical step in avoiding a potential relegation, a scenario that was previously considered “unthinkable.” The club is also grappling with a recent injury crisis, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered by Wilson Odobert earlier this week.
Tottenham’s next match is a home fixture against Arsenal, a challenging contest that will immediately test Tudor’s ability to impact the team’s performance. The club has not announced any further plans regarding the permanent managerial position beyond the summer of 2026.
