Tottenham Hotspur has once again found itself at a crossroads, and the club’s latest move has set the football world abuzz. On February 13, 2026, multiple reputable sources, including the BBC and The Athletic, confirmed that Tottenham reached a verbal agreement with Igor Tudor to serve as interim head coach until the end of the 2025-26 season. The North London club, reeling from a woeful run of form and managerial instability, is turning to the experienced Croatian to steady the ship, at least for now.
The decision to appoint Tudor comes on the heels of Thomas Frank’s dismissal, a move Tottenham announced on February 11. Frank, who was only appointed in June 2025 on a three-year deal, managed just 13 wins in 38 matches and leaves after only eight months in charge. The club’s recent record is grim: just two wins in the last 17 Premier League games, an eight-match winless streak, and a perilous drop to 16th place in the table. With only 29 points (seven wins, eight draws, and eleven losses), Spurs are just five points clear of the relegation zone, with West Ham United breathing down their necks in 18th place.
This season’s struggles are a sharp contrast to the previous campaign, when Tottenham lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy under Ange Postecoglou. However, Postecoglou was dismissed after that triumph, and Frank’s tenure failed to maintain the momentum. The club’s current predicament—hovering dangerously above the drop zone—has forced the hands of club executives Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange, who spearheaded the move for Tudor’s interim appointment.
Tottenham’s leadership has made it clear that Tudor’s role is strictly temporary, with no option for a permanent appointment included in his contract. Instead, the club plans to use the summer transfer window as a period to conduct a broader search for a long-term manager. According to UK media, Tottenham had considered several candidates, including Edin Terzic and Marco Rose, before settling on Tudor. The club’s aim is to have the interim coach in place before the squad returns to training on February 16, 2026.
Tudor, 48, brings a wealth of experience from some of Europe’s top clubs. As a manager, he has helmed teams such as Juventus, Marseille, Galatasaray, Hajduk Split, PAOK, Udinese, Hellas Verona, and Lazio. Notably, Tudor was appointed as Juventus coach last spring, stepping in for Thiago Motta and guiding the club to a Champions League qualification spot. However, his time in Turin ended abruptly in October 2025 after an eight-game winless run. Since then, he has been without a club.
As a player, Tudor was a stalwart center-back for Juventus, appearing in 174 matches over nine seasons and winning Serie A titles in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons. He also earned 55 caps for the Croatian national team, further burnishing his credentials. Tudor’s coaching journey began at Hajduk Split and has included stints in Greece, Turkey, France, and Italy, showcasing his adaptability and tactical acumen across different football cultures.
One of Tudor’s trademarks is his preference for a high-pressing style, often deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation. This tactical setup could breathe new life into a Tottenham squad that has looked flat and disjointed in recent months. Tudor also has prior connections with current Spurs players Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur from his coaching days at Juventus, which could help ease the transition during this turbulent period.
There’s no shortage of intrigue surrounding Tudor’s first match in charge, which is likely to be the high-stakes North London Derby against Arsenal scheduled for the week following his appointment. The timing couldn’t be more dramatic—Tottenham’s season could hinge on how quickly Tudor can instill his philosophy and galvanize a squad in desperate need of confidence and direction. The club’s supporters will be watching closely, hoping for immediate signs of improvement as the business end of the campaign approaches.
Despite their domestic woes, Tottenham has managed to find some solace in European competition. The club finished fourth out of 36 teams in the UEFA Champions League group phase, securing direct passage to the round of 16. This achievement provides a rare bright spot in an otherwise difficult season and offers Tudor another front on which to make his mark.
Still, the club’s leadership isn’t putting all its eggs in the Tudor basket. If the Croatian impresses during his interim tenure, there is a possibility he could be considered for the permanent role. However, rumors are swirling about a potential return for Mauricio Pochettino, the beloved former Spurs manager who is currently in charge of the U.S. men’s national team. Pochettino’s contract is set to expire after the North American World Cup, and speculation is rife that he could be enticed back to North London this summer. As reported by UK outlets, “Pochettino’s return is highly anticipated after the North American World Cup concludes.”
The club’s options are somewhat limited mid-season, and the move for Tudor reflects both a sense of urgency and pragmatism. According to The Mirror, “Tottenham is aiming to appoint an interim coach before the squad returns to training on February 16, 2026.” The hope is that Tudor’s experience with short-term projects and his ability to deliver immediate results will help Spurs avoid the unthinkable: relegation from the Premier League.
For Tudor himself, this is an opportunity to restore his reputation after a difficult end at Juventus and to prove he can handle the pressures of English football. If he succeeds, the door to a permanent appointment—or at least a strong recommendation for his next post—could swing wide open. If not, Tottenham will be back to square one, searching yet again for the right leader to take the club forward.
As the dust settles on Frank’s departure and Tudor’s arrival, all eyes turn to the next chapter in Tottenham’s turbulent season. Can the Croatian tactician spark a turnaround and guide Spurs to safety, or will the club’s struggles continue? The answer will unfold in the coming weeks, beginning with the always-feisty North London Derby. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the drama is just getting started.