Tudor to Shake Up Tottenham with Risky Style 2026

Key Points

• Igor Tudor, Tottenham Hotspur’s new interim boss, is expected to deliver entertaining football, according to former Udinese player and Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong.
• The 47-year-old Croatian has overhauled Tottenham’s backroom staff, bringing in his own personnel and dismissing assistant coach John Heitinga after just 32 days.
• Tudor’s appointment serves as an emergency measure until a potential reunion with former manager Mauricio Pochettino, amid speculation linked to post-World Cup developments.
• Known for his no-nonsense firefighting reputation, Tudor previously rescued Juventus with Champions League qualification, achieved similar feats at Lazio in 2024, and saved Udinese from relegation twice.
• Troost-Ekong, who worked under Tudor twice at Udinese, describes the Croatian’s approach as fearless, exciting, high-risk, and perfectly aligned with the ‘Tottenham way’.
• Tudor’s style is likened to a Croatian Sam Allardyce, but with proven top-level European experience, following Tottenham’s nightmare campaign threatening relegation.

Tottenham Hotspur (North London News) February 17, 2026 – Tottenham Hotspur fans can look forward to a thrilling transformation under interim manager Igor Tudor, with the Croatian tactician poised to implement an “exciting” yet “high risk” change to the team’s style, according to one of his former Udinese players. The 47-year-old has wasted no time in reshaping the club’s backroom setup since his recent appointment as an emergency stop-gap boss. This move comes amid Tottenham’s precarious position, threatening relegation after a dismal campaign.

As reported by the Football Fancast team, William Troost-Ekong, the ex-Udinese defender and former Nigeria captain who worked under Tudor on two occasions during his Serie A stint, believes Tudor’s fearless approach is precisely what Spurs desperately need.

“Spurs appoint Tudor as new boss implements grand plan,”

the article highlights, noting that while Tudor is a temporary fix potentially paving the way for a romantic reunion with Mauricio Pochettino after the World Cup, his bold actions have already turned heads.

Who is Igor Tudor and What Makes Him a Firefighter Manager?

Igor Tudor brings a wealth of experience from top European clubs, earning a reputation as a no-nonsense troubleshooter in football management. The Croatian, previously at the helm of Juventus, Marseille, and Udinese, has a proven track record of rescuing teams from dire straits.

At Juventus, Tudor engineered Champions League qualification before his sacking earlier this season, demonstrating his ability to deliver under pressure. Similarly, in 2024 at Lazio, he steadied the ship during a challenging period. His interventions at Udinese were particularly notable, sparing the club from relegation blushes on two separate occasions.

Football Fancast describes him aptly:

“The no-nonsense former Juventus, Marseille and Udinese boss has a reputation for firefighting, and a deserved one.”

This background positions Tudor as a Croatian equivalent to Sam Allardyce, but distinguished by his top-level European pedigree.

How Has Tudor Already Changed Tottenham’s Setup?

Tudor’s arrival at Tottenham has been marked by decisive action, overhauling the club’s entire backroom team. He has brought in his own trusted personnel, signalling a clean slate for the North London outfit.

A key casualty of this reshuffle was assistant coach John Heitinga, who departed after just 32 days in the role. This swift dismissal underscores Tudor’s intent to impose his vision without delay.

The Football Fancast coverage emphasises:

“The 47-year-old has already overhauled Tottenham’s entire backroom, bringing in his own personnel, and let go of assistant coach John Heitinga.”

Such changes align with his history of implementing grand plans at struggling clubs, now applied to Tottenham’s crisis.

What Does William Troost-Ekong Say About Tudor’s Style?

Former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong provides the most vivid endorsement of Tudor’s impending impact at Spurs. Having collaborated with the Croatian twice at Udinese, Troost-Ekong is uniquely placed to assess his methods.

Troost-Ekong tips Tudor to “shake up” Tottenham with an “exciting” and “high risk” change, promising thorough entertainment for fans. He asserts that Tudor’s brand of football aligns perfectly with the ‘Tottenham way’, especially after the team’s nightmare campaign.

As detailed in Football Fancast, Troost-Ekong reckons:

“The ex-Udinese defender worked under Tudor twice during his Serie A spell and reckons the Croatian’s fearless approach represents exactly what Spurs desperately need.”

This testimony from a player who experienced Tudor’s intensity firsthand carries significant weight.

Why is Tudor Seen as an Emergency Stop-Gap?

Tudor’s role at Tottenham is framed explicitly as a temporary measure. Football Fancast notes:

“While Tudor is very much an emergency stop-gap until a romantic Spurs reunion with Mauricio Pochettino potentially becomes alive after the World Cup, this appointment has definitely turned heads.”

Speculation around Pochettino’s return has gained traction, linked to post-World Cup developments, as per related coverage on Tottenham’s managerial pursuits involving Fabrizio Romano and Roberto De Zerbi. Tudor’s interim status does not diminish his immediate influence, however.

This setup allows Tottenham to stabilise while plotting a longer-term strategy, with Tudor’s firefighting expertise providing a crucial buffer against relegation fears.

Is Tudor’s Approach the Perfect Fit for Tottenham?

The alignment between Tudor’s philosophy and Tottenham’s traditional ethos is a recurring theme. Troost-Ekong’s view that it matches the ‘Tottenham way’ suggests attacking, open football that entertains supporters.

Unlike more pragmatic rescuers, Tudor’s methods are high-risk, promising spectacle even if they court danger. Football Fancast captures this:

“There is every reason to believe his brand of football actually aligns perfectly with the ‘Tottenham way’, at least according to former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong.”

For a club enduring a nightmare season, this could reinvigorate the squad and fanbase, though the risks inherent in such boldness remain.

What is Tottenham’s Current Predicament?

Tottenham find themselves in dire straits, with relegation looming large after a woeful campaign. This context amplifies the significance of Tudor’s arrival.

Football Fancast references “their nightmare campaign threatening relegation,” underscoring the urgency. Fans, desperate for salvation, now pin hopes on Tudor’s shake-up to deliver results and excitement.

The club’s hierarchy’s decision to appoint him reflects confidence in his proven salvage operations elsewhere.

How Does Tudor’s European Pedigree Set Him Apart?

Tudor’s resume stands out for its elite credentials. Beyond domestic rescues, his stints at Juventus and Marseille highlight experience in high-stakes environments.

Football Fancast likens him to “a Croatian Sam Allardyce but with proven top-level European experience.” This blend of pragmatism and continental savvy could prove transformative for Spurs.

His Udinese successes, praised by Troost-Ekong, further validate his tactical acumen in Serie A, one of Europe’s toughest leagues.

What Lies Ahead for Tottenham Under Tudor?

Looking forward, Tudor’s tenure promises drama. His high-risk style may yield thrilling victories or expose vulnerabilities, but boredom is unlikely.

The potential Pochettino reunion adds intrigue, keeping Tudor’s role transitional. Football Fancast’s analysis suggests fans can expect to be “thoroughly entertained” regardless.

As Tottenham navigate this precarious phase, all eyes will be on whether Tudor’s bold blueprint averts disaster and reignites North London’s passion for Spurs.