Igor Tudor: Croatian leaves Tottenham Hotspur by mutual consent after just 44 days and seven games in charge | Soccer News

Igor Tudor has left his role as Tottenham Hotspur head coach after seven games in charge.

Spurs made the surprise decision to turn to Tudor just 44 days ago, after sacking Thomas Frank.

The Croatian has never succeeded in the Premier League but has experience of sparking a surge in form following mid-season arrivals at other clubs, yet lost their first four games in charge in north London.

A club statement on Sunday afternoon read: “We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed that head coach Igor Tudor is leaving the club with immediate effect.

“Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci have also left their respective roles as goalkeeper coach and physical coach.

“We thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their efforts during the past six weeks, during which they have worked tirelessly. We also recognize the bereavement that Igor has recently suffered and send our support to him and his family at this difficult time.

“An update on a new head coach will be provided in due course.”

The most recent defeat was at home to Nottingham Forest on March 22, before the international break.

Immediately after that game, the 47-year-old learned that his father Mario had died.

Tudor’s exit leaves Spurs without a head coach heading into the final seven games of the Premier League season as they sit just one place and one point above the relegation zone.

The north London club will now be looking for a third managerial appointment of the season as they bid to avoid relegation to the second tier for the first time since 1977, with their next game at Sunderland on April 12, live SkySports.

‘Tudor exit inevitable, just a matter of when, not if’

Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge:

“It was inevitable – what we wanted to know was when they were going to do it. Igor Tudor was informed that his father had literally passed away seconds after Spurs lost to Nottingham Forest and he laid his father Mario to rest in Croatia on Wednesday.

“So you can imagine that the Tottenham board decided they were going to make another change, one last roll of the dice in this terrible season for the football club, but the timing is right.

“You have to get the timing right, but at the same time Spurs also have to think about themselves. Relegation for this football club is absolutely unthinkable, but it is so very possible.”

When asked why Spurs acted now, he added: “I think it comes down to timing again. The awful, tragic news about the passing of his father, but you would have imagined that the board and people would have talked about it and thought, ‘look, let’s give it a few days here’ because, as I say, I think he was well-liked by people within the football club and gave him those few days to grieve.”

Tudor rule in numbers

Zero: Tudor has not won any of his five Premier League games in charge of Spurs, his only point coming in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on 15 March.

One: The points difference between Spurs and the relegation zone. They were five points clear on Tudor’s appointment in 16th, but he leaves with the gap cut to one point, with Spurs now in 17th.

17: The number of minutes before Tudor replaced Antonin Kinsky during the disastrous Champions League last 16 first leg against Atletico Madrid, when the goalkeeper was at fault for two of the Spanish side’s goals.

20: The number of goals Spurs have conceded over Tudor’s seven games in charge in all competitions, at an average of 2.8 per game.

27: Opta’s current percentage chance of Spurs being relegated this season is up from just four per cent ahead of Tudor’s first game in charge, the 4-1 defeat at home to Arsenal on February 22.

Merse: Spurs’ relegation is more believable than it’s ever been

Sky Sports’ Paul Merson:

“I was at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final but I watched the Spurs game there.

“Initially Tottenham were on top and if they had scored they would have gone on to win the game. But they didn’t and they did what they have become known for this season. They conceded one – and then capitulated.

“Spurs getting relegated is more credible today than it’s ever been. They got a result against Liverpool, who were poor on the day, and then they came up against Atletico Madrid and won the game.

“You suddenly think: if they play like this, they’ll be fine and they’ll have no chance of going down. But fast forward to the following Sunday, and you go: Wow. Wow.

“It’s really worrying for Tottenham. Really worrying. And if they fall into the bottom three – and they can play ahead of them next – then it becomes difficult for them.

“They go to Sunderland next, and they will be reunited with their fans after the derby win. Then it’s Brighton, who are playing as well as anyone at the moment.

“Spurs also have Chelsea away with two games to go – they don’t want to go there needing points because it’s Chelsea’s biggest game of the season.

“And then West Ham play Leeds at home on the last day of the season. You couldn’t write that, could you?”

What’s next for Spurs? Your views…

Big truck: Get in Tim Sherwood and Harry Redknapp. Both will bring the fight back to the group.

Smudge081287: Bring in Redknapp with Sherwood – they both know the club and league, and talk so much sense.

Joe: Tottenham would not have been in the relegation battle if they had kept Thomas Frank.

Paul Mc: The only way we survive is to bring in a Tottenham man, be it Redknapp, Sherwood or Robbie Keane. They are people who can inspire confidence and know what it means to wear the badge.

Ryan Pattenden: Bring in Redknapp or Sherwood along with some ex players to help this squad.

Tottenham’s remaining fixtures

April 12: Sunderland (A) – Premier League, kick-off 14:00, live air sports

April 18: Brighton (H) – Premier League, kick-off 17:30, live air sports

April 25: Wolves (A) – Premier League, kick-off 15:00

May 2: Aston Villa (A) – Premier League

May 9: leeds (H) – Premier League

May 17: Chelsea (A) – Premier League

May 24: Everton (H) – Premier League

Sky Sports News Special: Inside Spurs

on Thursday, April 2 at 7:00 p.m, Sky Sports News will broadcast a special program on Spurs’ problems with their ever-present Premier League status under serious threat.

‘Inside Spurs’ will feature special guests including Jamie O’Harato analyze, analyze and examine the club’s woes and predicaments as they stare down a first relegation in 49 years.