Igor Tudor Urges Tottenham Players to Drop Excuses as He Prepares Squad for Relegation Battle in North London

Tottenham Hotspur have a new man in charge, and he’s making it crystal clear: excuses won’t fly.

Igor Tudor, the 47-year-old Croatian, has stepped in as interim head coach after Thomas Frank’s departure, with a simple mission — drag Spurs away from the Premier League relegation scrap.

Currently just five points above 18th-placed West Ham, Tudor inherits a squad that has struggled for form and is hampered by injuries.

From day one, he has made his expectations clear: every player must give more than they think they can.

Rebuilding Confidence Amid Injuries

Tudor admitted that Spurs are navigating a tough patch, with several key players sidelined.

His focus is immediate: restore confidence, instil courage, and figure out a system that suits the personnel available.

“There is no time to find excuses,” Tudor told the club’s official website.

“Each of us, each player, needs to give something extra.

The club’s current position is not acceptable for anyone.”

He’s aware that juggling the team’s depleted roster will be challenging, but he insists that adaptability and determination can bridge the gap.

A Promise of Attacking Football

Fans will be hoping for a spark, and Tudor promises a shift in style.

Known for favouring attacking football, the new Spurs boss wants to bring excitement back to Tottenham matches after a conservative spell under Frank.

“I like to play offensive football,” he explained.

“Scoring goals is my priority, but organisation in defence is essential too. Style is more important than the system.

Football today requires running hard, but without quality, nothing works. Offensive, yes, but smart.”

He emphasised that training is where the style begins, insisting that the team must execute what is practised on the pitch with intelligence and bravery.

Familiar Faces Missing from First Game

Although Tudor knows Spurs’ squad well from his time at Juventus, particularly Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur, both are unavailable due to injury.

This will add to the challenge as Tudor prepares for his first game — the high-pressure north London derby against Arsenal this Sunday.

“The derby is a fantastic game,” Tudor said. “We want to play in a way the fans will like.

I’m going to give everything we have — brave, intelligent, and smart — to achieve victory.”

Derby Pressure and Expectations

Tudor’s debut could set the tone for Spurs’ fight against relegation.

A positive result in a fiercely contested north London derby would not only lift the players’ morale but also send a message that Tottenham are serious about climbing out of the danger zone.

With injuries affecting key performers and form wavering across the squad, Tudor must balance urgency with tactical awareness.

Spurs’ fans will be watching closely to see if the Croatian can ignite a turnaround in what remains of the season.

What’s Next?

Tudor faces an immediate test against Arsenal in Sunday’s derby, a match that could define his short-term tenure.

Beyond that, he will need to steady the ship against other Premier League rivals while attempting to reintegrate injured stars.

Tactical clarity, attacking flair, and mental resilience will all be critical if Tottenham are to secure top-flight safety.

Summary

Igor Tudor has taken over Tottenham Hotspur on an interim basis with the clear mandate of steering the club away from relegation.

With injuries depleting his squad, he demands extra effort from every player and promises attacking yet intelligent football.

Spurs face a high-stakes north London derby against Arsenal as Tudor makes his debut, with fans hoping for renewed confidence and a spark of excitement in the Premier League run-in.