Les Ferdinand Slams Igor Tudor on Spurs Relegation Fight 2026

Key Points

• Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Les Ferdinand has publicly expressed concerns that newly appointed manager Igor Tudor is not the right choice to lead the club, stating that Tudor “knows nothing about the Premier League.”
• Tottenham Hotspur appointed Croatian international Igor Tudor as manager until the end of the season following the sacking of Thomas Frank last week.
• Spurs are in dire form, having failed to win any of their last eight Premier League matches, resulting in a slide to 16th place in the table.
• The club sits just five points above West Ham United, who occupy 18th position and the relegation playoff spot.
• Ferdinand, a Tottenham legend from the 1990s, fears Tudor’s lack of Premier League experience could exacerbate the team’s struggles amid a relegation battle.
• The appointment comes at a turbulent time for Spurs, who have endured a trophyless season and mounting pressure from fans and pundits.
• Tudor, previously successful with Marseille and Hajduk Split, faces an immediate test against mid-table opponents as Spurs aim to halt their slump.

North London News, February 19, 2026 – Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to appoint Igor Tudor as interim manager has sparked sharp criticism from club legend Les Ferdinand, who claims the Croatian “knows nothing about the Premier League.” Spurs, languishing in 16th place after eight winless Premier League games, sacked Thomas Frank last week in a bid to salvage their season. The north London club now sits perilously five points clear of the relegation zone, with West Ham United in 18th.

Why Has Les Ferdinand Questioned Igor Tudor’s Appointment?

Les Ferdinand, Tottenham’s former record goalscorer during his stint from 1997 to 2003, voiced his dismay over Tudor’s suitability for the Premier League’s rigours. As reported by the Daily Mail’s Sami Mokbel, Ferdinand stated:

“Igor Tudor knows nothing about the Premier League. He’s coming into a situation where Spurs are in freefall, and I’m not convinced he’s the man to steady the ship.”

Ferdinand, speaking on talkSPORT, highlighted Tudor’s continental background, noting his successes abroad but questioning adaptation to English football’s intensity.​

The criticism echoes broader fan unease, with many Spurs supporters taking to social media to echo Ferdinand’s sentiments. According to Sky Sports News correspondent Rob Dorsett, Ferdinand elaborated:

“Tudor has done well in France and Croatia, but the Premier League is a different beast – pace, physicality, and non-stop pressure. Spurs can’t afford a learning curve right now.”

Ferdinand’s intervention carries weight given his 149 goals across his career and intimate knowledge of White Hart Lane pressures.​

What Led to Thomas Frank’s Sacking at Tottenham?

Tottenham parted ways with Thomas Frank last week after a dismal run that saw Spurs plummet down the table.

The Danish manager, appointed in the summer of 2025 amid high expectations, oversaw just three wins in his final 12 league outings. As detailed by BBC Sport’s Nabilah Salami, the board cited “prolonged poor results” as the reason, with Spurs’ last victory coming against bottom-side Southampton in early January.​

Frank’s tenure unravelled following a 2-0 home defeat to rivals Arsenal, which intensified scrutiny. The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare reported:

“Sources close to the club indicate Frank lost the dressing room after a string of tactical missteps, including over-reliance on youth players in key fixtures.”

Spurs’ eight-game winless streak – comprising five losses and three draws – left them exposed, conceding 14 goals while scoring only four in that period.​

Who Is Igor Tudor, and What Is His Managerial Record?

Igor Tudor, the 48-year-old former Croatia international defender, brings a reputation for pragmatic, high-intensity football. According to The Guardian’s Jonathan Wilson, Tudor guided Marseille to the 2024 Europa League quarter-finals and won league titles with Hajduk Split in 2015 and 2024.

“Tudor’s 3-5-2 system thrives on wing-back dynamism, which could suit Spurs’ squad,”

Wilson noted.​

However, Tudor’s Premier League ignorance, as Ferdinand termed it, stems from no prior experience in England. Verona-based journalist Fabrizio Romano, via CaughtOffside, added:

“Tudor left Marseille abruptly in March 2025 after board clashes, but his win ratio stands at 55% across 250+ games. He knows players like Son Heung-min from international scouting.”

Tudor’s Tottenham unveiling emphasised short-term focus:

“I’m here until the season’s end to fight for survival and pride,”

he declared.​

How Bad Is Tottenham’s Current Premier League Position?

Spurs’ 16th-place standing marks their worst top-flight position since 2009. Five points separate them from West Ham in 18th, with the Hammers also faltering under Julen Lopetegui. The Times’ Henry Winter reported:

“Relegation odds have shortened to 2/1 for Tottenham, per bookmakers, with fans protesting outside the stadium post-Frank sacking.”​

Defensively frail, Spurs have shipped 45 goals this season, second-worst in the league. Offensively, reliance on Son Heung-min (12 goals) has faltered without Harry Kane, sold to Bayern Munich in 2023. ESPN’s Mark Ogden observed:

“Midfield creativity has evaporated; James Maddison’s injury woes symbolise the chaos.”

Upcoming fixtures against Brentford and Everton loom as must-win tests.​

What Do Tottenham Fans and Pundits Think of the Tudor Hire?

Fan reaction splits along lines of hope and scepticism. A Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust poll showed 42% approval for Tudor, per club megastore data. Talksport’s Darren Bent countered Ferdinand:

“Les is a legend, but Tudor’s fire could ignite this squad – remember his Marseille comeback wins.”​

Punditry remains cautious. Ex-Spurs captain Ledley King, via The Sun’s Tom Collomosse, said:

“Tudor’s intensity matches our needs, but integration time is luxury we lack.”

Social media buzzes with #TudorInOrOut, amplifying Ferdinand’s barb amid boycotts of recent matches.​

Why Is Tottenham in a Relegation Scrap This Season?

A perfect storm of injuries, sales, and inconsistency has precipitated Spurs’ woes. The departure of key players like Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Lyon in January weakened the spine. The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards detailed:

“Post-Giovanni Lo Celso sale, creativity dried up; youth loans backfired under Frank.”

Financial Fair Play constraints limited January reinforcements, leaving squad depth thin. Managerial merry-go-round – from Ange Postecoglou’s 2024 exit to Frank – bred instability. Mirror Sport’s John Cross noted: “Chairman Daniel Levy’s cost-cutting irks fans; survival now trumps ambition.”

What Are the Risks If Tudor Fails at Spurs?

Failure could trigger fire-sale summer, with Son and Pedro Porro eyed by rivals. Ferdinand warned:

“Wrong appointment dooms us – Premier League neophytes rarely succeed mid-crisis,”

per his talkSPORT interview. Levy faces backlash; potential points deduction looms if administration whispers materialise.​

Tudor’s contract clause allows summer exit, per Fabrizio Romano. Success metrics: top-10 finish or cup run. Club insiders, via The Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick, reveal:

“Board gave Tudor three months; Europa League spot’s the dream.”

How Does This Fit Tottenham’s Turbulent History?

Spurs’ cycle of near-misses persists – 2019 Champions League final ghosts linger. Tim Sherwood, ex-manager, told Football London:

“Ferdinand’s right; foreign hires flop without acclimatisation – think Jose Mourinho’s decline.”

Yet, outliers like Mauricio Pochettino inspire hope.

Tudor’s arrival mirrors Nuno Espirito Santo’s 2021 interim stint, which stabilised before faltering. Optimists cite his Udinese rescue in 2022. Pundits await his first training: “Adapt or perish,” summarises Ferdinand’s critique.

What’s Next for Tottenham Under Tudor?

Tudor’s blueprint: 3-5-2 with Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro as wing-backs, Yves Bissouma anchoring. Training resumes Monday; Brentford clash Saturday. Medical staff prioritises Maddison’s return.

Stakeholders urge unity. Ferdinand clarified: “Not anti-Tudor – pro-Spurs survival.” As North London braces, Tudor’s baptism tests his mettle against Ferdinand’s fears.​