New Spurs coach Igor Tudor had a disastrous debut as his Tottenham Hotspur side were destroyed 1-4 by Mikel Arteta's Arsenal. The Gunners opened the scoring in the 32nd minute through Eberechi Eze, but Spurs quickly replied 2 minutes later with Randal Kolo Muani. The first-half ended 1-1. What followed was a one-sided second half where the Gunners destroyed their North London rivals as Eze scored another goal and striker Viktor Gyökeres managed to bag a brace as well to end the game 1-4.
Igor Tudor gives shock statement on Spurs players during his post-match press conference
Igor Tudor wasn't a happy man after his debut managerial game ended on such a disastrous note, and he revealed his true feelings with a shocking message to his Spurs players. The following is what he said during the interview when asked about Tottenham Hotspur's defending in the game against Arsenal:
What did you make of your team's defending?
Igor: "Too many problems at this moment in time that this level of team will not punish you. Because you wanted to press high, but to press high from the back you need to jump, so if you are late and don’t take the ball around there, also with the ball... so we prepared to press high but we didn’t take the ball. We need more time to be in a physical moment and physical situation so that we can go strong and take the ball. Now we are not in that moment. Also, even with the ball, a lack of confidence is very evident in the team. We wanted and prepared to do the things but there is an opponent, but there is a reality today. I’m very sad and very angry and everything but in one way it is also good to understand where our goal is. What is the goal of this club? What is the goal of this team? What is the goal of this coach, these players, this staff? To become serious. Seriously, not just a group of 20 players, and the medicine is you look in the mirror. Each of us look in the mirror and really try, really start to change our habits - working hard is the only way."
Our opinion on Igor Tudor's statement
The statement above is nothing less than an absolute shocker from an interim manager, that too after his first game in-charge of the club. Igor was brutally honest with his words, and his disappointment with the Spurs players is very evident. His criticism went beyond just the players though, as he even questioned what is the goal of this club. These statements also prove the size of the task he has in front of him, as the former Juventus manager will now somehow have to motivate these players after such a heavy thrashing as Spurs are in a shocking relegation battle as it stands.
Although facing Arsenal in their first game is a difficult task for any new manager, the lack of any notable improvement in the player performances should be worrying for Igor. If Spurs don't manage to get a new manager bounce in the coming Gameweeks, then it's sure to be a tough road ahead for them as the threat of relegation looms.
