Igor Tudor: Croatian leaves Tottenham Hotspur by mutual consent after just 44 days and seven games in charge | Football News

Igor Tudor has left his role as Tottenham Hotspur head coach after seven matches in charge.

Spurs made the surprise decision to turn to Tudor just 44 days ago, after dismissing Thomas Frank.

The Croatian had never managed in the Premier League, but had experience of sparking an upturn in form after mid-season arrivals at other clubs, and yet lost his first four matches at the helm in north London.

A club statement on Sunday afternoon read: “We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed for head coach Igor Tudor to leave the club with immediate effect.

“Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci have also left their respective roles of goalkeeping coach and physical coach.

“We thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their efforts during the past six weeks, in which they worked tirelessly. We also acknowledge the bereavement that Igor has recently suffered and send our support to him and his family at this difficult time.

“An update on a new head coach will be provided in due course.”

The most recent defeat came at home to Nottingham Forest on March 22, prior to the international break.

Immediately after that game, the 47-year-old learned his father Mario had died.

Tudor’s exit leaves Spurs without a head coach heading into the final seven games of the Premier League season, as they sit just one place and one point above the relegation zone.

Their next match is at Sunderland on April 12, live on Sky Sports.

‘Tudor exit inevitable, just a matter of when, not if’

Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge:

“It was inevitable – what we wanted to know was when they were going to do it. Igor Tudor was informed that his father had passed away literally seconds after Spurs lost against Nottingham Forest and he laid his father Mario to rest in Croatia on Wednesday.

It is one final roll of the dice in this terrible season for the football club

“So, you’d imagine that the Tottenham board had decided that they were going to make another change, one final roll of the dice in this terrible season for the football club, but timing is right.

“You’ve got to get the timing right, but at the same time, Spurs have got to think of themselves as well. Relegation for this football club is absolutely unthinkable, but it’s so very possible.”

Why did Spurs act now?

Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge:

“I think it comes down again to timing. The awful, tragic news over the passing of his father, but you would have imagined that the board and people would have spoken about it and thought, ‘look, let’s give this a few days here’ because, as I say, I think he was well liked by people inside the football club and given him those few days to grieve.”

Tudor’s reign in numbers

Zero: Tudor won none of his five Premier League games in charge of Spurs, his only point coming in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on March 15.

One: The points gap between Spurs and the relegation zone. They were five points clear at the time of Tudor’s appointment in 16th place, but he leaves with the gap having been cut to one point, with Spurs now in 17th.

17: The number of minutes before Tudor substituted Antonin Kinsky during the disastrous Champions League last 16 first leg against Atletico Madrid, when the goalkeeper was at fault for two of the Spanish side’s goals.

20: The number of goals Spurs conceded across Tudor’s seven games in charge in all competitions, at an average of 2.8 per game.

27: Opta’s current percentage chance of Spurs being relegated this season, up from just four per cent before Tudor’s first game in charge, the 4-1 defeat at home to Arsenal on February 22.

Merse: Spurs’ relegation more believable than it’s ever been

Sky Sports’ Paul Merson:

“I was at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final, but I watched the Spurs game there. Oh man.

“At first, Tottenham were on top, and if they had scored, they would have gone on to win the game. But they didn’t, and they did what they’ve become famous for this season. They let in one – and then capitulate.

“Spurs getting relegated is more believable today than it’s ever been. They got a result against Liverpool, who were poor on the day, and then they played Atletico Madrid and won the game.

“You’re suddenly thinking: if they play like this, they’ll be alright and they’ll have no chance of going down. But fast forward to the next Sunday, and you’re going: Wow. Wow.

“It’s really worrying for Tottenham. Really worrying. And if they fall into the bottom three – and they could before they next play – then it becomes difficult for them.

“They’re going to Sunderland next, and they’ll be reunited with their fans after the derby win. Then it’s Brighton, who are playing as well as anybody right now.

“Spurs also have Chelsea away with two games to go – they don’t want to be going there needing points, because that’s Chelsea’s biggest game of the season.

“And then West Ham play Leeds at home on the final day of the season. You couldn’t write it, could you?”

Sky Sports News special: Inside Spurs

On Thursday, April 2 at 7pm, Sky Sports News will be airing a special programme about Spurs’ issues with their ever-present Premier League status under serious threat.

‘Inside Spurs’ will feature special guests, including Jamie O’Hara, to dissect, analyse and examine the club’s woes and predicament as they stare at a first relegation in 49 years.

The shortest managerial tenures in PL history

29 days – Cristian Stellini at Tottenham (March 2023)

30 days – Sam Allardyce at Leeds (May-June 2023)

39 days – Ange Postecoglou at Nottingham Forest (September-October 2025)

40 days – Les Reed at Charlton (November-December 2006)

44 days – Igor Tudor at Tottenham (February-March 2026)

71 days – Javi Gracia at Leeds (February-May 2023)

Tottenham’s remaining games

April 12: Sunderland (A) – Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports

April 18: Brighton (H) – Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports

April 25: Wolves (A) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm

May 2: Aston Villa (A) – Premier League

May 9: Leeds (H) – Premier League

May 17: Chelsea (A) – Premier League

May 24: Everton (H) – Premier League