Tottenham’s torrid 2025/26 campaign saw them turn to Igor Tudor after the sacking of Thomas Frank, recruiting him on an interim basis with the idea a permanent appointment would be made in the summer. It didn’t quite work out like that.
It ultimately was not the happiest of marriages between the big Croatian boss and the Lilywhites, with Tudor stepping up after Roberto De Zerbi had decided to take a break despite being a top target for Spurs. That left the club open to more temporary options, hence the appointment of Tudor.
So, here’s everything you need to know about the Igor Tudor and a recap of his short-lived reign as Spurs boss.
Igor Tudor’s reign at Tottenham
On Friday, February 13, reports claimed Tottenham had opened talks with Igor Tudor about taking over the managerial post until June. Shortly after, Tudor reportedly accepted a five-month contract, taking him to the end of the season.
But Tudor didn’t last that long.
Starting out, the Croatian assured fans he has plans to play offensive football at Spurs, but he’s also insisted the team and his staff have to be smart, too. He made three new additions to the Tottenham coaching staff, reuniting with Ivan Javorcic, Riccardo Ragnacci, and Tomislav Rogic. They then got to work, tasked with steering Tottenham back up the table after they had started to struggle under Thomas Frank.
The former Juventus man took charge of a team sat 16th in the table, with just two wins from their last 17 games, with a formidable early test in front of him: Arsenal. They lost 4-1 and it rather set the tone for Tudor’s reign as Spurs boss.
Defeats to Fulham (2-1) and Crystal Palace (3-1) came afterwards, followed by arguably the most infamous moment of Tudor’s reign – the 5-2 mauling in Spain against Atletico Madrid. Conceding three goals in the first 17 minutes, with Antonin Kinsky culpable for two, Tudor took action and withdrew the keeper.
As Kinsky left the pitch, he did not offer any form of consolation to him. It earned the Croatian widespread criticism.
A few days later, the high point of Tudor’s reign came in a 1-1 draw at Liverpool. Richarlison scored a last gasp equaliser in a promising display. They then restored a bit of pride in a 3-2 win in the home return against Atletico Madrid, though still exited the Champions League on aggregate.
Hopes that things were on the turn soon were dashed in a dreadful defeat against Nottingham Forest. Spurs were beaten 3-0, leaving Tottenham a point above the drop zone. Tudor was informed after the game that his father had sadly passed away, with it confirmed a week later that the Croatian and Tottenham had agreed to a parting of the ways.
After 44 days, Spurs were back in the market for a manger and desperately needing to get it right.
Where has Tudor managed before?
Tudor left Italian giants Juventus back in October 2025, after just seven months with the club. During that time, he went on an eight-game winless run and only managed ten wins from 24 games.
Before that, he had spent even less time at another Serie A side, Lazio. There, he won six of his 11 matches and impressed in such a short period.
Incredibly, Tudor’s longest spell with a club in the last decade has been a 48-game stint with Marseille. He was in charge of the French outfit for the 2022/23 campaign.
He has worked in Italy regularly, with previous spells at Hellas Verona, two stints with Udinese, and an assistant manager role at Juventus for the 2020/21 season.
Tudor began his managerial career in his native Croatia with Hajduk Split. Between 2013 and 2015, he oversaw 70 matches there, winning 32 of them. He would return to Split in 2020 — via spells with PAOK, Karabükspor, and Galatasaray — for a further 18 games.
It’s worth noting that Tudor has also served as assistant manager to Igor Stamic for the Croatia national team across eight games in 2012-2013.
Igor Tudor’s playing career explained
A lot of Tudor’s managerial habits can be traced back to how he was as a player, to be honest. He was a big, powerful centre-half, and he loved to make life difficult for his opponents.
After developing through the Hajduk Split academy and youth teams, Tudor made a good impression in the first team and sealed a move to Juventus in 1998.
There, he made 174 appearances over a seven-year period, providing reliability and strength at the back, while also contributing 21 goals. Tudor won two Serie A titles, two Italian Super Cups, and even won the Serie B title with Juventus when they got relegated after financial issues.
One controversial incident worth mentioning came in 2002, when Tudor slapped Roma legend Francesco Totti in the face during a game. The Roma faithful were pretty annoyed about this, but Tudor apologised on Italian television shortly afterwards, and all was forgiven.
He spent a season on loan at AC Siena in 2005/06, before leaving to rejoin Split on a free transfer in 2007. Tudor retired from playing a year later.
At international level, Tudor was capped 55 times by Croatia and scored three goals. Injuries played a big part in limiting his progress for both club and country, but he didn’t have a bad career by any means.
Personal information
Igor Tudor was born in Split, Croatia, on April 16, 1978.
He is 1.93m tall, which is roughly 6ft2in.
Although he lives a rather private life, we do know Igor has two children, and is very close to his mother and sister.