TOTTENHAM DROP HUGE MAURICIO POCHETTINO HINT IN NEW CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CONFIRMING IGOR TUDOR AS INTERIM BOSS
TOTTENHAM DROP HUGE MAURICIO POCHETTINO HINT IN NEW CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CONFIRMING IGOR TUDOR AS INTERIM BOSS.
Igor Tudor has been named Tottenham’s interim boss until the end of the season.
Spurs have agreed a deal with the 47-year-old Croatian who last managed Juventus in October.
A club statement said: “We are pleased to confirm the appointment of Igor Tudor as Men’s Head Coach until the end of the season, subject to work permit.
“Igor joins us with a clear focus: to improve performances, deliver results and move us up the Premier League table. His mandate is straightforward – bring organisation, intensity and competitive edge to the squad at a decisive stage of the campaign.”
Tudor said: “It is an honour to join this Club at an important moment.
“I understand the responsibility I have been handed and my focus is clear. To bring greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every match.
“There is strong quality in this playing squad, and my job is to organise it, energise it and improve our results quickly.”
And sporting director Johan Lange added: “Igor brings clarity, intensity and experience of stepping into challenging moments and producing impact.
“Our objective is straightforward – to stabilise performances, maximise the quality within the squad and compete strongly in the Premier League and Champions League.”
Spurs wanted their new man in place for when the players return to training on Monday ahead of next Sunday’s north London derby at home to Arsenal.
According to sources, there is no permanent option in the deal.
Meanwhile, the short-term appointment keeps alive a potential Mauricio Pochettino return come the summer.
Ex-Dortmund pair Marco Rose and Edin Terzic have also thrown their hats into the ring.
Tottenham legend Robbie Keane would be keen on the job, but only on a permanent basis.
As reported earlier this week, another candidate, Roberto De Zerbi wants to take a break after leaving Marseille.
Pochettino is committed to leading the USA at the World Cup, but sources on both have indicated to talkSPORT there is a willingness for the Argentine to return to the team he led to a Champions League final.
Tudor has been out of work since being sacked as Juventus boss in October.
He spent just seven months in charge of the Old Lady despite having made 174 appearances for the club as a player.
The former defender has had spells in charge of Hajduk Split, PAOK, Karabukspor, Galatasaray, Udinese, Verona and Marseille.
The Croatian experienced an ill-fated spell in charge of Lazio that lasted just 11 games.
Tudor steered Juve to a fourth-placed finish in Serie A last season and returned to the Champions League after losing just one of his 11 games in charge.
His heroics earned him a two-year deal, but he was sacked four months later following a run of eight games without a win.
Prior to his time in Turin, Tudor took over from Maurizio Sarri as Lazio boss on an 18-month contract.
He won five of his nine games at the capital club, securing Europa League qualification.
However, he resigned from his post after three months in charge.
Tudor must quickly find a way of lifting the cloud over the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs chiefs will hope his impact will be immediate with the north London derby up next on February 22.
Tottenham sit in 16th place in the Premier League, five points above the relegation zone.
