New Tottenham boss Igor Tudor told he ‘can only fail’ in relegation battle

New Tottenham manager Igor Tudor has been told he can ‘only fail’ at Spurs in his bid to rescue their Premier League season.

Spurs parted company with Thomas Frank this week having failed to address their abysmal slump in form that has left them hovering just above the relegation zone.

Tudor has taken over as new head coach until the end of the season and awaits a baptism of fire against league leaders Arsenal in the north London derby next weekend.

The former Croatia international has had spells in charge at big clubs across Europe at Lazio, Marseille, Galatasaray and most recently Juventus. But the 47-year-old has never spent more than two years at a single club.

Tottenham is his first job in England with the task at hand huge.

Spurs turned to an experienced newcomer rather than an old face with links to the club.

Tim Sherwood spent four years at Spurs as a player before returning as an assistant first-team coach under Harry Redknapp in 2008. In 2013, he took the reins following the departure of Andre Villas-Boas, spending five months in the hotseat before being relieved of his duties.

Sherwood shoved his name forward when Spurs were looking for an interim boss this week, insisting it would be an ‘honour’ to take charge in the capital again.

But following the arrival of Tudor, he has expressed grave concerns for Tottenham’s prospects, warning a manager with ‘no knowledge’ of English football’ faces a ‘catastrophic’ downside if things don’t go to plan.

‘It’s going to be difficult, he has no knowledge of the Premier League. Apart from the money, what is the upside for him?’ Sherwood said on Sky Sports.

‘If he finishes 12th, he’s getting no credit. The downside is so catastrophic.

‘Would you want your fingerprints all over Tottenham getting relegated from the Premier League?

‘I go back to it — Thomas Frank would still be there if it wasn’t for the toxic nature of the fans. And I can totally understand the disgruntlement of the fans, because they’re not getting the results.’

Sherwood added: ‘I heard people say they’re sleepwalking into the Championship. I think they’ll have enough, even with the injuries, to get out of it — but he will get no credit for that.

‘The downside is so great… he can only fail. He’s getting no credit for keeping Tottenham in the league.’