Interim Tottenham Manager Igor Tudor Boosts Team Morale With Greek-Cypriot Dinner in Muswell Hill Ahead of North London Derby Against Arsenal

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Tottenham Hotspur’s new interim manager Igor Tudor wasted no time trying to lift spirits at the club, taking his squad out for a team dinner on Thursday evening.

Appointed just the day before, Tudor’s first move off the training pitch was a nod to morale-boosting, aiming to start his spell at Spurs on a positive note.

A Greek-Cypriot Twist to Spurs’ First Meal

The team headed to Ousia, a Greek-Cypriot restaurant in Muswell Hill, for what appeared to be both a casual meal and a subtle morale-lifter.

Players reportedly enjoyed classic dishes like chicken souvlaki, lamb kleftiko, and beef moussaka.

The atmosphere seemed lighter than it had been under former manager Thomas Frank, with smiles and laughter captured in a team photo following the dinner.

Some observers noted that Tudor may have inadvertently borrowed from the playbook of Ange Postecoglou, whose focus on team cohesion and communal experiences helped drive Spurs to Europa League success.

Pressure Ahead of North London Derby

Despite the morale boost, Tudor faces a baptism of fire in his first competitive match: the north London derby against Arsenal this Sunday.

Spurs are only five points above the relegation zone, and the squad is still recovering from a string of poor results under Frank, who was dismissed after a heavy loss to Newcastle two weeks ago.

Frank reportedly frustrated players with his constant focus on Arsenal, both praising and comparing his team to their rivals, which some felt undermined confidence rather than building it.

Tudor, by contrast, has promised a more direct and proactive approach.

Tudor’s First Words as Interim Manager

In his opening interview with the club’s website, Tudor set the tone for his tenure.

“The first priority is to give everything the team needs in these moments… first of all, to get some confidence, to get some courage, but also in the same way, the concrete things on the pitch,” he said.

He added,

“There is no time to find excuses… each of the players need to give something, something more, something extra, because the position of the club at this moment is not that anybody can accept.”

Tudor also acknowledged the challenge of managing a squad riddled with injuries and emphasized his focus on finding the best system for the available players.

What’s Next?

• Tottenham will prepare under Tudor’s guidance for the north London derby against Arsenal, a match crucial for Premier League survival.

• Injury assessments and tactical adjustments will be key in the coming days as Tudor settles on the squad and formation.

• Player morale and cohesion will remain a central focus, with team-building initiatives like dinners likely to continue.

• Fans and analysts will watch closely to see if Tudor can arrest the club’s slide and inject confidence into the squad.

Summary

By TAMARA PRENN

Interim Tottenham manager Igor Tudor has started his tenure with a morale-boosting Greek-Cypriot team dinner at Ousia in Muswell Hill, aiming to lift spirits after the dismissal of Thomas Frank.

Facing a critical north London derby against Arsenal, Tudor emphasized confidence, courage, and tactical clarity in his first interview.

With injuries affecting key players and the club precariously close to the relegation zone, Tudor’s immediate priorities are boosting morale, finding an effective system, and preparing the team for one of the Premier League’s most intense rivalries.