Igor Tudor has reportedly agreed to become Tottenham’s interim head coach until the end of the season, with only the final details of his contract left to be resolved.
Spurs are reportedly targeting an experienced short-term appointment following the dismissal of former Brentford boss Thomas Frank on Wednesday.
The Dane was sacked after a 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United left the club languishing 16th in the Premier League, just five points above the relegation zone.
Tottenham’s players have been given time off until Monday, with the club not in weekend action following their FA Cup exit in January.
Tudor, who has been in London, is expected to return to Croatia briefly before taking training at the start of next week – potentially in time to prepare the squad for the north London derby against Arsenal on February 22.
Permanent hire in the summer
Spurs are understood to want an interim head coach for the final three months of the 2025/26 campaign before appointing a permanent successor in the summer.
Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is expected to be part of a wider candidate pool once his commitments with the United States at the World Cup are concluded, while Marco Rose and Edin Terzic have also been linked with the interim role.
Tudor, 47, has been out of work since October after being dismissed by Juventus following an eight-match winless run.
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Immediate impact
However, Spurs are said to value his reputation for delivering immediate impact in difficult circumstances.
He was appointed by Juventus in March last season after a turbulent spell under Thiago Motta left the club fifth in Serie A and outside the Champions League places.
Tudor lost just one of his 11 matches in charge, guiding Juve to a fourth-placed finish and sealing Champions League qualification.
Despite earning a two-year deal, he was dismissed four months later as results declined.
A similar pattern emerged at Lazio, where he replaced Maurizio Sarri in March 2024 after a poor run left the club ninth.
Tudor won five of his nine matches and secured a seventh-placed finish and Europa League qualification before resigning at the end of the campaign.
His previous managerial spells include stints with Marseille, Galatasaray and Udinese.
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Spurs need stability
Tudor will inherit a Tottenham side that have won just two of their last 17 league games and are in urgent need of stability.
The immediate challenge could hardly be greater, with league leaders Arsenal visiting north London next weekend.
Spurs’ next six fixtures present a demanding run: Arsenal at home, followed by trips to Fulham and Liverpool, a home clash with Crystal Palace and a Champions League last-16 first leg in mid-March.
For Tudor, the task is clear – arrest the slide, restore confidence and steer Tottenham clear of danger before the club reshapes its long-term future in the summer.
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