Tottenham are preparing to officially appoint Igor Tudor as interim manager until the end of the season — a move that has reportedly amused many Arsenal supporters.
The two North London rivals are experiencing very different Premier League campaigns. While Arsenal F.C. are firmly in the title race, Tottenham are nervously looking over their shoulders following Thomas Frank’s disappointing spell in charge.
On 13 February, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Tudor had agreed to take charge at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until the end of the campaign — news that some Arsenal fans believe could worsen Spurs’ situation.
Tudor’s managerial résumé has drawn scrutiny. Although he most recently managed Juventus F.C., his tenure ended in disappointment, as he was dismissed in October following an eight-game winless run. Across his 11 managerial roles, he has yet to oversee 50 competitive matches at a single club.
With Tottenham struggling, many Arsenal supporters view the appointment as uninspiring and fear it could deepen Spurs’ relegation concerns. Tudor’s first major challenge could come against Arsenal, where recent history is not in Tottenham’s favour.
Spurs have lost eight of their last 10 North London derbies, with their previous victory coming in May 2022, a 3-1 win. Since then, they have endured heavy defeats, including a 4-1 loss at the Emirates earlier this season.
As a result, Tudor faces a daunting task when Arsenal visit on 22 February. Another heavy derby defeat could quickly increase pressure on the Croatian, who has already been met with skepticism by sections of the Tottenham fanbase.
Whether Tudor can steady the club and steer them clear of relegation worries remains to be seen.
