Tudor’s Tottenham Debut vs Arsenal: NLD Fire 2026

Key Points

• Tottenham Hotspur have appointed Igor Tudor as interim head coach until the end of the 2025-26 season following the sacking of Thomas Frank.
• Thomas Frank was dismissed after just seven months, with Spurs enduring two wins in 17 Premier League games and sitting five points above the relegation zone, currently 16th in the table.
• Tudor’s first match in charge is the north London derby against league leaders Arsenal on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
• Tudor, 47, brings experience from Juventus, Lazio, Marseille, and Galatasaray, known for stabilising clubs and starting his last five managerial stints with victories.
• Tottenham’s mandate for Tudor: bring organisation, intensity, and competitive edge; Tudor vows to organise, energise the squad, and improve results quickly.​
• Sporting director Johan Lange praises Tudor’s clarity and impact in challenging moments.​
• Tudor has finalised his coaching staff, including assistant Ivan Javorcic, physical coach Riccardo Ragnacci, and goalkeeping coach Tomisl Rogic; four of Frank’s staff departed.
• Arsenal are pursuing silverware on four fronts (Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Champions League), highlighting Spurs’ lack of trophies since Europa League win under previous management.
• Spurs face issues like captain Cristian Romero’s four-game ban, poor recent derby record (lost last three home PL games to Arsenal), and low scoring from open play under Frank.
• Critics like Les Ferdinand note Tudor knows ‘nothing’ about the Premier League; Tudor himself says ‘no time for excuses’ amid ‘unacceptable’ form.
• Opta supercomputer gives Arsenal 60.1% win chance in derby; Spurs have 3.3% relegation risk.​

(North London News) February 20, 2026 – Tottenham Hotspur have turned to Croatian coach Igor Tudor as their new interim head coach in a desperate bid to salvage their faltering Premier League campaign, with his debut coming against arch-rivals Arsenal in Sunday’s north London derby. The appointment follows the mid-season sacking of Thomas Frank, amid Spurs’ alarming slide towards relegation danger just five points above the drop zone after only two wins in their last 17 league matches. As Arsenal chase silverware across four competitions, the contrast underscores Tottenham’s deep-rooted issues in consistency and trophy ambition.

Why Was Thomas Frank Sacked by Tottenham?

Thomas Frank’s tenure at Tottenham lasted just seven months, ending abruptly after a dismal run that saw the club plummet to 16th in the Premier League table with 28 points from 26 games. As reported by writers at The Athletic, Frank inherited a squad fresh off a Europa League triumph but struggled to instil stability, with fans and players growing increasingly frustrated by the lack of style, creativity, and open-play chances, often relying on repetitive set pieces. Frank himself acknowledged the mounting pressure, stating after a defeat to Newcastle United,

“I believe it’s fair to say that several before me… have lost their jobs. You need to maintain composure, keep fighting, and ensure we stick together—board, leaders, players, staff, and fans”.

The sacking followed heavy losses, including 3-0 to Nottingham Forest in December and recent derby humblings, with Frank declaring “1000 percent sure” he was the right man despite injuries and poor results. Football.London reporters detailed how Frank’s exit came after Spurs’ latest defeat to Newcastle, highlighting failures in scoring, defending, and building confidence. This pattern echoes previous managers like Conte and Mourinho, but Frank’s unpopularity stemmed from an inability to rally support around a clear vision.

Who Is Igor Tudor and What Is His Background?

Igor Tudor, 47, steps into the fray with a reputation for short, impactful stints at top clubs. As analysed by football writer Ben Bloom of Premier League.com, Tudor has managed Juventus, Lazio, Marseille, and Galatasaray, never staying longer than two years but excelling in stabilising troubled sides. Notably, he has begun his last five managerial roles—with Hajduk Split, Verona, Marseille, Lazio, and Juventus—with victories, offering hope for an immediate derby boost.

Tudor joins after Thomas Frank’s departure, with Tottenham’s official statement emphasising his mandate: “bring organisation, intensity and competitive edge to the squad at a decisive stage of the campaign”. In his first comments, Tudor said:

“It is an honour to join this club at an important moment. I understand the responsibility I have been handed and my focus is clear. To bring greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every match. There is strong quality in this playing squad, and my job is to organise it, energise it and improve our results quickly”.

Sporting director Johan Lange added:

“Igor brings clarity, intensity and experience of stepping into challenging moments and producing impact. Our objective is straightforward — to stabilise performances, maximise the quality within the squad and compete strongly in the Premier League and Champions League”.​

What Changes Is Igor Tudor Bringing to Tottenham?

Tudor has wasted no time reshaping the backroom team. According to Football.London, he has finalised his coaching staff with four of Frank’s aides shown the door, bringing in trusted allies: assistant Ivan Javorcic, physical coach Riccardo Ragnacci, and goalkeeping coach Tomisl Rogic, whose partnership with Tudor dates to 2014 at Hajduk Split. The Athletic notes this creates an “imperfect and disjointed” setup initially, but with a unified aim for the final 12 matches.

Tudor has focused on implementing his game model from day one, seeking a “foundation-first” approach amid questions over his Premier League inexperience. As per BBC Sport, the new boss declared: “nobody can accept” the club’s position, adding “it is ‘no time for excuses’ as he looks to address ‘unacceptable’ form”. Les Ferdinand, former Spurs striker, voiced concerns to ESPN: Tudor “knows ‘nothing’ about Premier League”. Evening Standard highlights three stars—likely key midfielders or defenders—set for pivotal roles under the new regime.

When and Where Is Igor Tudor’s First Game in Charge?

Igor Tudor’s baptism of fire arrives on Sunday, February 22, 2026, hosting Arsenal in the north London derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This clash pits struggling Spurs against title-chasing Gunners, with Sky Sports previewing potential lineups: Vicario; Gray, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Spence; Bissouma, Sarr, Gallagher, Simons; Kolo Muani, Solanke. ESPN sources indicate Arsenal’s Kai Havertz may miss out through injury.

The Opta supercomputer favours Arsenal at 60.1% win probability, noting Spurs’ woes without banned captain Cristian Romero, who has contributed to 28% of their goals via defenders. Tottenham have lost their last three Premier League home games to Arsenal, as many as in the prior 23 meetings.​

How Does Arsenal’s Success Highlight Tottenham’s Problems?

Arsenal’s quest for silverware on four fronts—Premier League leaders, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and Champions League—serves as a stark reminder of Spurs’ trophy drought. As detailed by Independent writers, Mikel Arteta’s side, despite recent stumbles, shows the “road to success” Tottenham lacks, pursuing all major honours into late February 2026. Arteta himself stated:

“Arsenal’s consistent form should make them ‘very convinced’ they can win silverware this season,”

after progressing on all fronts including a Carabao Cup semi-final win over Chelsea.

In contrast, Tottenham’s cycle of “restarts” in 2025, 2023, 2021, and 2019 has perpetuated chaos, exacerbated by former chairman Daniel Levy’s influence, quipped Arsenal executives as “Levy’s way rather than the Spurs way”. The Athletic underscores Frank’s failure to provide a rally point post-Europa League glory, leaving Spurs aimless. Tudor’s arrival offers a “vital change” to reignite the fire against Arsenal, but deep-rooted issues like poor xG and defensive lapses persist.

Can Igor Tudor Topple Arsenal and Save Tottenham?

The derby looms as Tudor’s chance to spark revival, with his winless bow against Arsenal precedent under Glenn Hoddle in 2001. BBC’s Tudor insists on no excuses, while ESPN’s coverage amplifies the pressure on a squad with “strong quality” yet dire form. Premier League.com’s Ben Bloom examines tactical shifts Tudor could bring, potentially leveraging intensity to counter Arsenal’s London derby dominance (one loss in 21 away since 2022).

Spurs’ 3.3% relegation risk per Opta offers slim optimism, but beating Arsenal—unbeaten in recent derbies—could “reignite the fire”. As Evening Standard posits, Tudor’s risk carries “promise of a fresh start,” with key players pivotal. The Independent frames it as confronting Spurs’ “deep-rooted problem”: lacking Arteta’s focus amid multi-front pursuits.