*This content was translated by AI.
Tottenham Hotspur faced an unprecedented crisis shortly after the departure of Son Heung-min (34, Los Angeles FC), who has been a team symbol for the past decade. The situation is getting worse as signs of internal cracks are detected to the extent that even new coach Igor Tudor cannot use his strength.
British media ‘Give Me Sports’ reported on the 23rd (Korea time) that “In the match against Arsenal, which was Tudor’s debut, key defender Mickey van der Penn appeared to ignore the coach’s instructions head-on.”
According to the media, Tudor constantly shouted “push up” throughout the game, meaning to raise the line toward the van der Penn. However, Van der Penn continued the game, ignoring instructions to raise the line even though he stared straight at Tudor. As a result, Tudor was frustrated, swinging his arms in the air and leaning back when his tactical instructions were not delivered.
Coincidentally, the Tottenham hierarchy collapsed shortly after Son Heung-min left. “Give Me Sports” said, “The coach’s reaction suggests a lot,” adding, “It’s already showing frustration with the team.” This suggests a deep internal problem that has been going on since the days of former coach Thomas Frank. Some players are not immediately accepting the new coach’s tactics, he pointed out.
Amid this internal noise, Tottenham suffered a crushing defeat by Arsenal 1-4 in the 27th round of the 2025-2026 English Premier League (EPL) North London derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, on the 23rd.
Tudor’s interim coach failed to lift his head in his debut, losing four runs. Tottenham has been mired in a deep quagmire with no wins (four draws and five losses) in the last nine league games.
Currently, Tottenham has fallen to 16th place in the league with 7 wins, 8 draws and 12 losses (29 points). It is only four points away from 18th-ranked West Ham United (25 points), which is in the relegation zone.
On this day, Tottenham played in a 4-3-3 formation. Van der Penn, who reportedly ignored the coach’s tactical instructions, stepped up as a central defender.
Tottenham were shaken by Arsenal’s wave of attacks throughout the game. In just 32 minutes, Eberechi Eze allowed the first run. A minute later, Randal Kolo Muani fought back with an equalizer, but it collapsed in the second minute when he gave up the winning goal again to Jockeres. He was then humiliated on home soil in the 16th minute when he allowed an additional goal to Eze and even gave up a netting to Jockeres in the second half.
After the game, Tudor said in an interview with ‘BBC’, “There was a level difference. The team is full of problems right now, he said. “The only key is to focus on training every day. You have to be more aggressive and harder. It doesn’t help anyone to think about relegation,” he said.
Van der Penn, who is suspected of ignoring the coach’s instructions, said on Sky Sports, “Arnall was the better team. Sweatshirt defense comes with risks, but it’s how we chose it. “He’s been comforting us all week and wants to help us in every way,” Tudor said. “It’s time to win the game.”
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*This content was translated by AI.