Spurs' Tudor on the Brink: ENIC Washes Hands as Relegation Looms Large
Tottenham's Igor Tudor faces mounting pressure after six straight defeats, including a 5-2 loss to Atlético Madrid, with dressing room unrest over his goalkeeping decisions. ENIC is leaving any sacking call to executives Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange, despite a shortlist featuring Robbie Keane—who wants a long-term deal. Tudor is expected to take charge at Anfield this weekend, but his future hangs by a thread.
Picture this: Tottenham Hotspur staring down the barrel of relegation, with Igor Tudor presiding over the club's worst-ever losing streak. Six defeats on the bounce – the longest in 143 years of Spurs history. And yet, the owners aren't rushing to hit the ejector seat. It's like watching a car veer off a cliff while the passengers argue over the sat-nav.
Tudor was parachuted in to douse the flames after Thomas Frank's departure, but he's only fanned them higher. Four straight losses under the Croatian, including a 5-2 tonking by Atlético Madrid in the Champions League. Centre-back Micky van de Ven called it a 'doomsday scenario', and you can't argue with that after witnessing the goalkeeping circus midweek.
Goalkeeping Gaffes and Dressing Room Grumbles
Before a ball was kicked against Atlético, Tudor dropped Guglielmo Vicario for Antonin Kinsky's Champions League bow. The Czech lad lasted 17 minutes, shipping three goals – two from his own howlers with the ball at his feet. Then, Tudor blanked him on the way off. No fist bump, no pep talk, just ghosts him. Small wonder reports suggest Kinsky's eyeing the exit, and some players reckon Tudor's lost the plot – and their respect.
As Sami Mokbel at BBC Sport reports, the dressing room's murmuring, fans have checked out, and even Ange Postecoglou nailed the issue with a blunt two-word jab. Yet Tudor's still got the gig until Friday's presser at least, per the Daily Mail. Vinai Venkatesham chatted with him Wednesday, but no red card waved.
ENIC Plays it Cool – Decision Down to the Suits
Here's the kicker: owners ENIC are staying schtum. Mokbel's sources say they're hands-off, always have been – even under Daniel Levy. The call on Tudor rests with Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange, just like they made with Frank's sacking before rubber-stamping upstairs.
Spurs brass have a shortlist ready, as TEAMtalk's been banging on about. Top name? Robbie Keane, ex-Spurs legend now bossing Ferencváros in Hungary. The Irishman's gagging for a crack at saving his old club, relegation or not. But Fraser Fletcher at TEAMtalk drops a bombshell: Keane wants a long-term gig, while Tottenham's offering a short-term plaster. Stalemate, unless someone blinks.
Complicating matters, Celtic have Keane shortlisted for their summer vacancy. No dice on ditching Budapest for a relegation scrap just yet.
Anfield Awaits – Will Tudor Survive?
Tudor troops on to Anfield Sunday, facing Liverpool in what could stretch the skid to seven. Lose that, and the Nottingham Forest six-pointer next week becomes do-or-die. The Guardian reckons his days are numbered post-Liverpool, but for now, he's 'fighting on'.
TEAMtalk insiders like Steve Pearson and James Marshment paint a grim picture: finances in freefall if the Championship beckons, players tuning out. Will Venkatesham and Lange pull the trigger? Or let Tudor burn it all down? Spurs fans, stock up on tissues – and maybe a Keane scarf, just in case.
It's pub debate gold: hands-off owners in a crisis? Bold or bonkers? One thing's sure – this saga's got more twists than a North London derby.