How Tottenham's Appointment of Tudor Could Work, But Spurs Stars Warned: 'Messi Would Not Play'
An Italian football expert has revealed some of the qualities that incoming Tottenham interim manager Igor Tudor could bring to the club, despite warnings from fans and players alike.
While reports have claimed that former Juventus head coach Tudor will take the job at Spurs until the end of the season, there are concerns about his ability to lead the team effectively. Italian journalist Matteo Moretto was the first to report on Tottenham's talks with Tudor, followed by Gianluca Di Marzio's claim of a 'verbal agreement' in place. The Athletic's David Ornstein and transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano later confirmed Tudor's appointment as interim head coach.
Italian football commentator Patrick Kendrick has shed light on what Tottenham fans can expect from the former Croatian international. Kendrick told Sky Sports: "If you look back over Tudor’s recent career, he’s been quite happy stepping into these short-term roles. I think he sees himself as a bit of a firefighter."
Kendrick highlights Tudor's typical 3-4-2-1 formation, which he believes is similar to Ivan Juric's, the former Southampton manager. This formation was successful with Verona, where Tudor had a free-scoring team with two number 10s playing behind a lone striker. However, Kendrick expects Tudor to prioritize morale as his first objective, given his background as a former center-back.
Kendrick also mentions Tudor's strong personality and forthright communication style, which could be beneficial for the team's morale. However, he warns that Tudor's intense training methods and high expectations for players' fitness might not suit all players.
George Boxall, a Marseille-based football journalist, describes Tudor's style as intense, with players running a lot and pressing aggressively. Boxall suggests that Tudor's appointment could be an 'electroshock' for Tottenham if they feel they need one. Pierre-Etienne Minonzio, a journalist for L'Equipe, adds that Tudor's direct approach and lack of seduction in his playing style might not suit all players, and he even jokes that if Tudor had Lionel Messi in his squad, Messi would not play.
Despite the concerns, some believe that Tudor's appointment could be a strategic move for Tottenham, especially with his ability to lead short-term projects and his strong personality. However, the team's stars are warned to be prepared for an intense and demanding training environment, which might not suit all players.
