“If you don’t run, you don’t play” – Tudor to challenge Tottenham players

Igor Tudor has agreed to take charge of Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season, with the club turning to the Croatian as they look to steady their Premier League campaign.

The 47-year-old replaces Thomas Frank after a run of inconsistent results left Spurs five points above the relegation zone.

His first match will be a north London derby against Arsenal on 22 February, giving him limited time to implement his methods.

Demanding style and clear identity

Tudor arrives with a reputation for intensity and directness. During his time at Marseille, his team played with aggressive pressing and a 3-5-2 system that required high physical output.

“His style is intense,” said journalist George Boxall, who covered his spell in France. “The players do a hell of a lot of running. There’s lots of intensity, lots of pressing.”

L’Equipe reporter Pierre-Etienne Minonzio said Tudor’s expectations are non-negotiable. “In a previous interview he said ‘If you don’t run, you don’t play’,” Minonzio noted.

He added: “He is very direct, says what he thinks and doesn’t try to be attractive. There is no seduction. His obsession is to make training intense with a lot of running so they can be physically fit for the game.”

Tudor guided Marseille to a third-place finish in Ligue 1, improving their points tally from the previous campaign despite working in a competitive environment.

Mixed record at Juventus

Tudor most recently managed Juventus, initially on an interim basis in March 2025. He secured Champions League qualification and was handed the role permanently, but lasted seven months after an eight-game winless run.

Italian journalist Daniele Verri described his approach: “Tudor is an aggressive manager and that is also what he demands from his clubs. A lot of pressing. When he conquers the ball, he goes vertical.”

However, tensions reportedly emerged over transfers and team selection before his dismissal.