Tottenham issue statement as Igor Tudor leaves club after 44 days in charge

Tottenham have parted ways with interim manager Igor Tudor after just 44 days and seven games in charge.

Spurs appointed Tudor on a short-term deal until the end of the season after sacking Thomas Frank in February.

Tottenham were 16th in the Premier League, five points above the relegation zone, when Frank lost his job after just eight months.

Any hope that Tudor would transform the north London club was quickly dashed, however, with the Croat losing five of his seven matches in charge.

That dismal run of form has seen Tottenham slip just one place and one point above the relegation zone.

‘We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed for head coach Igor Tudor to leave the club with immediate effect,’ a statement from Tottenham read.

‘Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci have also left their respective roles of Goalkeeping Coach and Physical Coach.

‘We thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their efforts during the past six weeks, in which they worked tirelessly.

‘We also acknowledge 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.’

Tottenham suffered a demoralising 3-0 defeat at home to fellow relegation-strugglers Nottingham Forest before the international break.

In tragic circumstances, Tudor was informed that his dad had died after the game and subsequently missed media duties.

Tudor lost four of his five Premier League games in charge of Tottenham, drawing 1-1 with reigning champions Liverpool at Anfield in the other.

The former Croatia midfielder also oversaw Spurs’ embarrassing 5-2 Champions League last-16 first-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid, in which his decision to start back-up goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky backfired spectacularly.

Spurs improved in the return leg at home, beating La Liga giants 3-2, but it was not enough to overturn the first-leg deficit and reach the quarter-finals.

Ex-Tottenham managers Harry Redknapp and Tim Sherwood have been linked with returns during Tudor’s dismal spell in charge.

Spurs have been in the Premier League since its inception in 1992 and the last time they dropped out of the top division was back in 1977.

Former Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney said earlier this month that he believes Tottenham will be relegated.

‘The players need to look at themselves because I think they’ve been an absolute disgrace,’ Rooney said on Stick to Football.

‘The performances, the attitude, the lack of desire, the lack of fight and there’s a lack of everything in them.

‘Last week I didn’t but after seeing what’s happened in the last couple of games I think they will go down.’

Rooney’s ex-teammate Gary Neville added: ‘I don’t think they will go down. My view is they will make a change and stay up… just. That’s what I think will happen.’

Tottenham return to Premier League action on April 12 with a clash against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

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