Spurs stars know where they stand with Igor Tudor after training remarks | Football | Sport

Igor Tudor will ensure his Tottenham players are fully committed in training if his previous remarks are anything to go by. The ex-Juventus star spent nearly a decade in Italy as a player, clinching the Serie A title and reaching the UEFA Champions League final in the 2002/03 season.

After clocking up 229 appearances and netting 25 goals from centre-half, Tudor hung up his boots in 2008 and transitioned into management. His managerial career has been somewhat nomadic, overseeing 10 different clubs in 12 different countries over the past 13 years. More recently, this includes a brief tenure at Juve – where he was dismissed – and a spell at Lazio, where he stepped down after guiding the club on an impressive league run.

Tudor was unveiled as the interim manager of Spurs on Saturday, with the challenge of steering the club clear of the dreaded relegation zone. Currently sitting 16th and a mere five points from danger, the Croatian certainly has a tough job ahead.

However, this task is unlikely to intimidate Tudor, who told DAZN last August just how crucial maintaining discipline among his players is. Reflecting on his football upbringing in 2025, the 47-year-old said: “Alessandro Del Piero used to get mad if we lost a game in training.

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“That was the famous Juventus way. I’m the same in life.

“It’s about talking in facts and leading by example. I’m a man of few words and don’t turn the other cheek when someone is out of line.

“You have to always be on it in training, because that way the game itself is easier.”

This straightforward statement makes it clear to Tottenham players that they won’t be allowed to coast through training sessions under the Croatian. With numerous crucial fixtures ahead, including a last-16 tie in the Champions League, it is vital that he hits the ground running.

A baptism of fire awaits in his opening match as manager when Tottenham welcome Arsenal for a north London derby on February 22, followed by a visit to Fulham and a home encounter with Crystal Palace.

Tudor is insistent he is prepared for the task and wants performances to improve rapidly. He said: “It is an honour to join this Club at an important moment.

“I understand the responsibility I have been handed and my focus is clear.

“To bring greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every match. There is strong quality in this playing squad, and my job is to organise it, energise it and improve our results quickly.”