Igor Tudor Could Stay At Tottenham For ‘A Long Time’ As Survival Fight Begins

Tottenham Hotspur could yet turn their short-term fix into a long-term project after sporting director Johan Lange admitted new interim boss Igor Tudor may remain in charge beyond this season.

Johan Lange, 47, agreed a six-month deal earlier this month following Thomas Frank’s departure, with one clear brief: steer Spurs clear of relegation danger in the Premier League. The north London side sits five points above the drop zone with 12 games to play.

While the initial plan was to reassess managerial options in the summer, Lange has left the door open.

“Of course if things go well, he could be here for a long time,” said Lange.

“We interviewed a few [interim] candidates and Igor impressed us very, very much in the interview.

“If you come in here on the Monday and you are playing at the weekend, you need to build relationships with the players immediately.

“You need to come in to build relationships but of course assess the style of the club immediately. He has shown that with great success, not only once but a few times, to come into that.

“That is one of the reasons why we believe he is the best candidate here now, but of course also with his reputation and what he’s done in his career.”

Tudor’s first test comes on Sunday against Arsenal, a daunting introduction in the north London derby.

Despite a respectable European campaign in the UEFA Champions League, domestic form has collapsed. Spurs have won just two of their last 17 league matches and have taken only four points from a possible 24 in 2026.

Tudor, however, remains defiant. Asked about survival prospects, he replied: “100%”.

“I’m not here to enjoy it, I’m here to work,” he said.

“It is not about systems. It is important to become a team, a group, who will look after each other. For me this is basic.

“After that the quality can come out and, for me, this is a team with quality, with legs that can run. There is potential.”

Injuries have complicated matters. “It’s a very rare situation,” Tudor added. “We have 10 injuries, we trained with 13 players.

“It is an even bigger challenge to succeed from this situation. My first goal is that we become a team in the right meaning of the word, that suffers when it needs to suffer, to fight, to run, to have the right mentality. The start is always about mentality.”