Igor Tudor has told his Tottenham players they must ditch their “bad habits” and become a “serious” team after a heavy home defeat to Arsenal in his first match as head coach.
Spurs were beaten 4-1 by their north London rivals on Sunday, leaving them just four points above the relegation zone. They remain the only side in the Premier League yet to win a game in 2026.
Tudor was brought in to replace Thomas Frank and save Tottenham’s season. Despite the result, the Croatian believes his new side will avoid the drop – but he did not hold back in his assessment of what he saw.
“I know the truth now. It’s not nice, but it is how it is.”
“I am confident we will stay up. I believe these are good players with bad habits. Nobody can tell me we don’t have quality. But we need to change a mental switch and have that sharpness to be in the game from the first minute, and the physicality to do that.”
The former Marseille and Juventus coach pointed to a lack of sharpness and physical presence as key problems.
“To be physical, you need to work hard. Too many players had problems. That’s the result,” he said.
Asked what he learned from the game, Tudor replied: “That we need to work. Too many bad habits in the past. We need to look at ourselves, grow and be humble.
“We need to run more, play better, defend better, win duels, win second balls. The players wanted it, they showed passion, but when we pressed high, they didn’t arrive or take the ball.
“Arsenal are strong, they have more power, more energy and they believe more. That’s the key.”
‘What is Spurs’ goal? To become serious’
With 11 games left to secure their top-flight status, Tudor says the club must change its ways.
“We need more time to get to a physical level where we can compete and take the ball. Right now we are not there,” he said.
“Even with the ball, a lack of confidence is very clear in the team. We prepared to do certain things, but there is an opponent and there is a reality.
“I’m very sad and very angry, 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. Serious, not just a group of 20 players. The medicine is you look in the mirror. Each of us looks in the mirror and really tries to change the habits.
“We didn’t need this game for sure. Arsenal are probably the best team in the world right now so it was not easy.
“I played in a lot of derbies and as a coach they give you something extra in terms of mentality or motivation. But there are other things you cannot change in three or four training sessions. It’s impossible.”
Tottenham now face a crucial run of fixtures as they look to pull away from the bottom three and secure their Premier League status for next season.