Tottenham Hotspur appoint Igor Tudor as interim manager in North London after sacking Thomas Frank following Newcastle United defeat

Things moved quickly in north London this week.

On Wednesday night, the mood around Tottenham Hotspur turned sour after a home defeat to Newcastle United.

By the next morning, the club had made a decisive call. Thomas Frank was out.

Less than 12 hours after that loss, the axe fell. It was a brutal but telling move from a club clearly worried about the direction of its season.

Results had been slipping, confidence had drained away, and patience had finally run out.

Igor Tudor Steps Into the Storm

In comes Igor Tudor — a former Croatia international defender with a reputation for walking into chaos and immediately demanding order.

At 47, Tudor isn’t a long-term appointment just yet.

He’s been installed as interim head coach until the end of the season, subject to a work permit.

But make no mistake, this is an audition.

Impress over the coming months and the job could become his permanently.

Tudor’s career as a manager has been anything but dull.

Since 2013, he has worked across Europe in a whirlwind of roles — twice at Hajduk Split, spells at PAOK, Karabükspor and Galatasaray, two separate stints with Udinese, and high-profile posts at Marseille, Lazio and Juventus.

It’s 12 jobs in 11 years. Restless? Maybe. Experienced? Absolutely.

Why Spurs Believe He Fits

Tottenham’s leadership team — chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange — were clear about the type of coach they wanted: someone with bite, someone who doesn’t need a long bedding-in period, someone who can organise a team quickly.

Tudor ticks those boxes.

He’s known for intensity. His teams often play aggressive, front-foot football with strong defensive structure — not surprising given his own background as a defender.

During his time at Marseille, he brought discipline and physical edge to a squad that had looked unbalanced.

At Verona, he built one of Serie A’s most energetic pressing sides.

Even in shorter spells, there’s often been a noticeable uptick in competitiveness.

Spurs highlighted that he has a track record of improving teams after mid-season appointments — precisely the situation he now walks into.

A Squad in Trouble

Let’s not sugarcoat it — this is a rescue mission.

Tottenham sit just five points above the relegation zone after an eight-game winless run in the Premier League.

It’s their worst league sequence since 2008.

For a club that regularly talks about Champions League ambitions, that statistic alone explains the urgency.

The squad isn’t short on talent. But confidence looks fragile.

Performances have lacked structure. Defensive lapses have become routine.

Games that should have been managed better have slipped away.

Tudor’s own words made his task clear.

He spoke about organisation, consistency and competing “with conviction.” That’s code for tightening things up fast.

The Arsenal Test Comes First

If he wanted a gentle introduction, he won’t get one.

His first match in charge? The North London derby against Arsenal on February 22 — and not just any Arsenal side, but one sitting top of the Premier League.

Few fixtures carry more emotional weight. Fewer still are as unforgiving.

It’s a trial by fire, and a derby victory would instantly buy Tudor goodwill among supporters who have grown restless.

Lose heavily, and the pressure will ramp up even further.

A Wider Summer Search Still Looms

While Tudor has his chance, Spurs are not locking themselves in. The club’s hierarchy intend to assess a broader field of candidates in the summer before making a final decision on the next permanent head coach.

That means these next few months are effectively an extended interview.

If Tudor stabilises results, nudges the club safely clear of relegation worries and perhaps even sparks a late-season surge, he could put himself in pole position.

But if performances remain flat, Tottenham may pivot elsewhere once the campaign ends.

More Than Just Survival

There’s also Europe to consider. Spurs remain involved in continental competition, and the club has stressed the importance of competing strongly both domestically and in Europe.

Tudor has Champions League experience from his playing days and coaching exposure at clubs accustomed to European nights.

That familiarity could prove valuable in high-pressure fixtures where tactical discipline matters.

What’s Next?

In the immediate term, it’s about tightening the back line, restoring belief and picking up points — any points.

Expect Tudor to simplify roles, demand fitness intensity and reduce the defensive chaos that has haunted Spurs in recent weeks.

The derby against Arsenal will set the tone.

After that, consistency becomes everything. No more long winless runs. No more collapses late in games.

Behind the scenes, the summer succession plan will quietly tick along.

But on the pitch, it’s survival first, ambition second.

Summary

Tottenham Hotspur have appointed Igor Tudor as interim head coach following the dismissal of Thomas Frank, who was sacked less than 12 hours after a home defeat to Newcastle United.

Tudor, a 47-year-old former Croatia and Juventus defender with extensive managerial experience across Europe, will lead Spurs until the end of the season and has the opportunity to earn the role permanently.

He takes charge with the club just five points above the relegation zone after an eight-game winless run, and his first match will be a high-stakes North London derby against Premier League leaders Arsenal.