Johan Lange has defended Tottenham’s lack of activity in the final weeks of the winter transfer window and revealed interim boss Igor Tudor could get the role permanently.
Lange faced the media on Friday and explained why Spurs turned to Tudor after sacking Thomas Frank despite a lack of Premier League experience.
Tudor is no stranger to a mid-season arrival and a difficult position, but will be without at least 11 players for Sunday’s visit of rivals Arsenal.
“We interviewed a few (interim) candidates. Igor impressed us very, very much in the interview,” Lange explained.
“If you come in here on the Monday and you are playing at the weekend, you need to build relationships with the players immediately.
“You need to come in to build relationships but of course assess the style of the club immediately. He has shown that with great success, not only once but a few times, to come into that.
“That is one of the reasons why we believe he is the best candidate here now but of course also with his reputation and what he’s done in his career. Of course if things go well, he could be here for a long time.”
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Tim Sherwood believes Tudor needs to win the Champions League and 90 per cent of his Premier League games to get the job full-time
Spurs lost nine players through injury last month, but after Conor Gallagher signed in a £34.7million deal on January 14, only 19-year-old left-back Souza joined the club’s threadbare squad.
Sporting director Lange insisted: “I personally believe the new European format changed the dynamic a little.
“You are playing two very competitive matches (in January), with the fact that not only us but a lot of teams have what they would say is too many injuries.
“(That) meant that in January very few players who could make a difference for us now or in the future was available and then it’s back to the point even though the squad is too short, we still have players we are unable to register for the (Champions League) last 16.
“So, to bring in players that cannot help us now or we don’t believe have potential for the future, that unfortunately for me doesn’t make sense.”
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has twice already in 2026 expressed his frustration at the club’s current situation on social media.
“Romero is here, he is our captain, he is here on a long-term contract with the club,” Lange pointed out.
“I think we have been clear as a club that we have dealt with that internally and now it is about being together.”
What Tudor needs to change at Spurs
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Michael Bridge talks you through Igor Tudor’s first Tottenham Hotspur press conference in under 60 seconds.
Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge:
Igor Tudor’s job spec is very simple. Keep Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. Relegation for a club of Spurs’ size is completely unthinkable but after a dreadful run in the league, it’s now a distinct possibility.
In his first press conference, however, Tudor said he was ‘100 per cent certain’ Spurs would stay up.
The Croatian’s contract runs until the end of the season by which time focus will turn to Spurs’ search for a permanent successor to Frank.
But could Tudor put himself into consideration in this final stretch of games? These are the five things he must change to give himself a chance of staying on at Spurs or perhaps get another Premier League job:
- Show up in the north London derby
- Make home games great again
- Try and keep the squad fit
- Hate losing
- Unite the fans
Show up in the north London derby
This is the fixture for both clubs. However, Arsenal have held the bragging rights for a while.
In fact, Spurs’ last win over their biggest rivals came in May 2023 – a 3-0 win to all-but secure Champions League football over Arsenal. Gary Neville said he’d never heard the stadium so loud. He reiterated the point on social media just a few days ago calling this his favourite derby.
Show up doesn’t sound too ambitious, does it? But Spurs were a no-show at the Emirates in November. It was humiliating with Eberechi Eze, who turned down Spurs for Arsenal in the summer, scoring a hat-trick.
Worse Spurs sides have travelled to Arsenal and shown up. The fixture never needs added spice but Arsenal’s highly disappointing draw at Wolves has thrown their title credential into doubt and given Spurs a little bit of hope.
If Spurs finish the game and the supporters have seen the players battle from minute one to the last, Tudor’s team will get a good reception, and it’ll be something to build on. It will be vital to get off on the right footing.
Make home games great again
Spurs are the only team without a Premier League win in 2026. Their only home win since the opening day came against Brentford on December 6. Two wins, four draws and seven losses at home is completely unacceptable.
It’s been so miserable for home supporters over the last few seasons.
There’s no doubt it’s one of the most impressive stadiums in world football – but it’s about time the Spurs fans enjoyed their day out.
Spurs have lost 45 league matches in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. By comparison, Arsenal have only lost four more at the Emirates despite calling the stadium home for 13 more years.
There’s no better game to make it feel like home again.
Try and keep the squad fit
Easier said than done, sure, but managers must manage their squad in this increasingly-demanding fixture list. Let’s not forget Spurs are still in the Champions League. It could become an unwanted distraction.
There had been concerns Mo Kudus and Pedro Porro being overplayed and both went on to suffer injuries. Rodrigo Bentancur, often preferred to João Palhinha, has had to be managed carefully after an ACL injury but is now out for most of the season with a differnt problem.
Previous boss Ange Postecoglou was, rightly or wrongly, blamed for a horrendous injury list due to the style of play but injuries this season are just as bad if not worse.
A fresh injury to Dominic Solanke could be catastrophic. He missed most of the season with an ankle problem.
If Tudor can get Randal Kolo Muani firing as he did at Juventus and Richarlison back fit, he might just be able to manage the minutes of his forwards.
Hate losing
Who doesn’t hate losing? However, at Spurs it’s become the norm and it must stop.
Last season the bottom three were all but down as early as February. It allowed Postecoglou’s Spurs to put both eyes on Europa League glory. This season is completely different and there is a real threat of relegation.
Spurs fans haven’t been entertained this season and have been highly critical of Frank’s style of play.
Asked about the syle of play and demands of fans, Tudor quickly pointed out demands of style of play only work in pre-season and this club is currently in an emergency.
This led to journalists nodding heads in Friday’s press conference. He’s right: Spurs must stop losing and start winning.
They will take a scrappy win now.
Unite the fans
Now, if you can combine the four points above, you’ll not only unite the fans, but be adored by them.
There have been some unsavoury scenes during the season between the team and supporters, notably at Bournemouth when Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven had to be pulled away.
Burnley was uncomfortable as a sold-out away end made their feelings clear to Frank as he walked past them back to the dressing room. All supporters were in complete agreement a change had to be made.
They were impressed with Tudor’s first press conference. Later on that Friday a photo emerged on social media of the squad with Tudor out for a meal in trendy Muswell Hill. We’ve not seen that since the Pochettino days.
Spurs fans were split on Postecoglou. Many love him for winning the first trophy in 17 years while there are some who found 17th in the league too embarassing to bare. The fans simply never took to Frank.
Both coaches must be put to the back of their minds. For now, it is all about Tudor.