7M - Igor Tudor guarantees safety as Spurs boss faces "emergency" injury crisis

Posted Saturday, February 21, 2026 by 7M Sport

In a defiant address ahead of his first match in charge, new Tottenham head coach Igor Tudor has insisted he is "100%" certain the club will avoid Premier League relegation. Despite Spurs currently languishing in 16th place—just five points clear of the drop zone—the Croatian tactician dismissed any talk of a move to the Championship as a distraction. Tudor emphasized that league standings are merely a consequence of daily work and urged his players to focus on their performance rather than the table as they prepare for a high-stakes North London derby against Arsenal.

The task ahead of him is compounded by what Tudor described as an "emergency situation" regarding squad availability. The manager revealed that he has been forced to conduct training with as few as 13 senior outfield players this week, with up to 11 first-teamers currently sidelined. Despite this significant handicap, Tudor refused to offer any excuses, asserting that the available group still possesses the necessary "legs and quality" to fight for the badge. He demanded that every individual gives "something extra" to rectify an "unacceptable" league position for a club of Tottenham's stature.

As he readies his side for a daunting debut, Tudor’s immediate priority is a complete mental reset within the dressing room. He highlighted that while he aspires to play attractive, offensive football, the current predicament requires a team that is "willing to suffer" and show immense courage on the pitch. With Spurs having gone eight games without a victory, the new boss sees the upcoming derby not just as a tactical test, but as the ultimate opportunity for his players to prove their commitment to the fans and spark a late-season turnaround.