Tottenham's sporting director Johan Lange has opened the door for Igor Tudor to become permanent manager. The Croatian interim boss could stick around long-term if he turns things around at struggling Spurs.
Tudor faces a massive baptism of fire this Sunday. His first match? The north London derby against Arsenal. Talk about being thrown in at the deep end.
Spurs are in serious trouble right now. They're sitting 16th in the Premier League, just five points above the relegation zone. That's a scary position for a club of Tottenham's stature, and it's why Thomas Frank was shown the door after only eight months in charge.
So why Tudor? Lange explained that the 47-year-old has a proven track record of making an immediate impact when he joins clubs mid-season. He's done it before at big clubs in February and March, getting results quickly without a pre-season to settle in.
"He has shown the capabilities of coming into clubs around this time and made an immediate performance impact," Lange told reporters. "That was of course a very big reason for hiring him."
Can Tudor Beat the Relegation Odds?
Tudor has never managed in England before, but his CV is impressive. He won Serie A twice as a player with Juventus and has managed clubs across Europe including Marseille, Lazio, and Galatasaray.
The challenge now is building relationships with players in days, not weeks. There's no time for a gentle introduction when you're battling relegation and facing Arsenal in your first game.
For those considering a bet on Spurs' survival chances, Tudor's appointment could be significant. His history of quick improvements suggests he might steady the ship faster than a manager without that experience. However, the fixture list and current form make this a risky proposition.
Lange made it clear that if Tudor succeeds, he could stay for the long haul. "If things go well, he could be here for a long time," he said.
Style of Play Will Be Key
Fans grew frustrated with Frank's football, and Lange admitted style of play will be "high up on the list" when considering any permanent appointment. Spurs want dominant, possession-based football that creates chances and excites supporters.
"We are very ambitious to create a team that can play dominant football and control matches with the ball," Lange explained. He pointed out that top teams across every league usually dominate possession and play aggressively.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino's name keeps popping up. Sources say the former Spurs boss, now coaching the United States, is a leading contender for the permanent job. Fans even sang his name during the last home match under Frank.
But Lange wouldn't discuss future plans or specific candidates. "Igor has been here for five days. Our focus right now is to get high up in the table," he said.
Lange also defended Spurs' transfer record after criticism from both Postecoglou and Frank. He confirmed the club knows it needs to grow its wage bill to compete, but sometimes players simply choose other clubs. "We are not in control if a player makes a career choice to join another club," he admitted.
With Champions League football still on the line and relegation worries mounting, Tudor's first few weeks will be absolutely crucial for Tottenham's entire season.
