Igor Tudor gives his first interview as new Tottenham Hotspur head coach

Igor Tudor gives his first sit down interview as new Tottenham Hotspur head coach until the end of the 2025/26 season.

The 47 year old Croatian spoke of his excitement and focus amid the club’s challenging situation, taking into account the low league position, injuries, and fan dissatisfaction.

He wants to save the club from being caught up in a relegation battle and is up for the challenge, calling it honour to take the job, but stressed that it’s about the team, club, and city rather than himself.

Tottenham currently sit 16th in the Premier League with 29 points from 26 games played, and are 5 points above the drop zone.

Igor Tudor’s first interview as Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/ZxrnO8RqSh

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 17, 2026

Igor said: “Big challenge for me, big honour to be here. I’m very happy and in the same way I don’t think too much about myself because I’m focused on work to do, so wherever you go, it’s always about your relation with the place, with the team, with the town. There are a lot of similarities, even if this is like an NBA of European football, this is the best of the best, so it’s a privilege to be here.

“First priority is to give everything the team needs in these moments. The team needs, I believe, first of all to get some confidence, to get some courage, but also in the same way the concrete things in the pitch. Of course, I’m coming here knowing the situation is not easy, there’s no time to find excuses.

“What I said from the first day here, each of us, each of players need to give something, something more, something extra because the position of the club in this moment is not that anybody can accept, every fan of Tottenham cannot accept the situation. We are aware of that, but it’s not enough to just be aware of that. I like to be positive, I like to play offensive football.

“Of course, that’s my first goal I have that I like, to score the goal, but in the same way, for sure, I need to give organisation in defence, give the clear structure of what you want to play. The situation is not easy because, as you know better than me, we have a lot of injured players, so we need first to find the best system that suits for the players that are available in this moment. So, a very particular moment, maybe this can sound strange, but I believe that the thing that we need to be focused on is the training.

“So, the training from today, that’s the key, because, as I always like to say, the Sunday and the game is a consequence of the training. So, that needs to be focused, the coach needs to show the path, where is the way we want to go, how we want to go, and the players need to accept this and together, in this way, preparing during the week is the best thing for the Sunday. Yeah, I know some players, I’ve also been coached by Dejan and Rodrigo.

“Unfortunately, they are not now available to play immediately, but they are here in the dressing room, for sure. But I find all players very available to react to this. I believe in the style, the style is more important than the system, of course.

“As I said, a very particular moment. So, every club has its particularity, can I say this word? That is, first, the culture of the club, which kind of football they like, so it’s always important to think about that. But in the same way, not forget who I am, what I want the team to achieve, but thinking, this player can do this.

“So, I need to be, with my staff, very intelligent to find the best possible way to get out in a very short time. It was a good first session, we started to know each other. It was one hour, because we had five days free, so first training is not too much, and from tomorrow we start to work seriously.

“Big week ahead. It’s an important game, we know everybody. This derby is a fantastic game to play. We want to play this game in a way that our fans will like. So, going and give everything what we have, in the right way.

“Brave, but in the same way intelligent and smart, to achieve what we want. And that’s the victory. I believe that in football, in 2026, it’s changed a lot.

“It’s changing year by year, so more physical players, let’s say, it’s crucial. If you can run 115 kilometres as a team, it’s better than 105. That means that you have one player extra, so there is nothing strange to choose that direction, of course.

“It’s always about a motivated player that understands this thing about running, about the physical aspect of football, which is sometimes not easy. But that without quality, you can do nothing. So, technical skills, intelligence to see, to recognise the situation, speech is always above everything.

“So, you need to find a mix about both things. And about winning or drawing, that’s true. I never saw the coach who said that he can play for drawing.

“It’s not possible. So, offensive football, yes, but smart. So, that’s the key.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Igor Tudor gives his first interview as new Tottenham Hotspur head coach…

@RickySacks: Superb first interview from Igor, addresses a number of key concerns around the confidence of our players, the way he wants to play football and also understanding our league position is totally unacceptable. Now to get behind him and the players for the remainder of the season.

@solventspurs: A manager who talks like a football manager instead of a LinkedIn post. We’re so back.

@foleyyyy94: Have a good feeling about this guy. I like how he stated we want the victory. I feel like Frank would have danced around that or responded with something about how good Arsenal are ect. Ready to get behind Igor and the team

@MaddisonEra_: Already talking better in his first interview than Frank ever did in 8 months btw #THFC

@KevJStewart: Obviously it’s only words — and anyone can say things people want to hear — but this sounds wholly positive to me. If he can drum his words home and we can put into practice what he’s saying, we should be fine. Over to the players… 😬 #COYS

@HollieAgombar: Very happy in the way he comes across. To the point and focused on the job in hand. Let’s have it

@oJaayCo: No time to find excuses. Nail on the head. I hope he gets a tune out of this lot.

@ChristinaZandes: 20 seconds in and he is already speaking better than Frank.

@NorthCole_thfc: I like how he’s handling this. Calm, honest, accepts where we are and speaks so well and sounds like a coach with a clear plan. Honestly feels like he gets the Tottenham culture. That “we don’t play for draws” line though…..maybe a little banter at Frank 😅? #COYS | #THFC