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Tudor’s Potential Impact on Spurs After Appointment
Following Igor Tudor’s agreement to manage Tottenham for the rest of the season, BBC Sport examines the potential approach his team may adopt under his leadership.
Since his dismissal from Juventus in October 2025, Igor Tudor has been without a managerial position.
With Tudor set to take the reins at Tottenham for the remainder of the season, fans are wondering what to expect from his team's performances.
Tudor's inaugural match as interim head coach will be a high-stakes encounter, as Tottenham hosts Arsenal in the Premier League on 22 February.
The 47-year-old manager will have limited time to implement his tactics, with the players returning to training on Monday, and they may be in for a surprise.
According to George Boxall, a football journalist who covered Tudor's tenure in Marseille from 2022 to 2023, "his approach is characterized by intensity."
Boxall notes that Tudor's teams are known for their tireless work rate, saying, "the players cover a lot of ground, and there's a strong emphasis on pressing."
Boxall believes that Tudor's personality could be a good fit for Tottenham, stating, "he's a strong character who could bring a much-needed spark to the team."
Following his departure from Juventus in October 2025, Tudor is now poised to begin his first managerial stint in England, having previously managed clubs in Italy, France, Turkey, Croatia, and Greece.
Tudor's primary objective is to alleviate Tottenham's relegation concerns, which were exacerbated by a 2-1 loss to Newcastle in Thomas Frank's final match, leaving them just five points above the bottom three.
As a former defender who earned 55 caps for Croatia and made over 150 appearances for Juventus, Tudor has a clear expectation for his players: a high level of physical exertion.
L'Equipe journalist Pierre-Etienne Minonzio recalls Tudor saying in an interview, "if you don't run, you don't play," highlighting the manager's emphasis on work rate.
During his time in Marseille, Tudor consistently employed a 3-5-2 formation, which was entertaining to watch, according to Minonzio.
However, this approach sometimes led to difficulties, as evidenced by the limited playing time given to skilled but less industrious players like Dimitri Payet.
Minonzio jokingly notes that even a player of Lionel Messi's caliber would struggle to earn a starting spot under Tudor if he didn't meet the manager's fitness expectations.
Tudor's sole season in charge of Marseille saw the team finish third in Ligue 1, surpassing their points total from the previous campaign, despite ultimately falling short of the top two spots.
Minonzio praises Tudor's direct and uncompromising approach, saying, "he doesn't try to be liked, and he's very straightforward in his communication."
Tudor maintains a professional distance from his players, with a focus on creating an intense training environment that prepares them for the physical demands of matches.
As a player, Tudor won back-to-back Serie A titles with Juventus in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons and started in the 2003 Champions League final, which Juventus lost to AC Milan.
Tudor began his managerial career with Hajduk Split, before going on to manage Galatasaray, Udinese, Marseille, and Lazio, eventually replacing Thiago Motta at Juventus in March 2025.
Initially appointed as interim head coach, Tudor was given the permanent position after leading Juventus to a fourth-placed finish in Serie A and securing Champions League qualification.
Italian football journalist Daniele Verri describes Tudor as an "aggressive manager" who demands a similar level of intensity from his teams.
Verri notes that Tudor's teams are characterized by their pressing, vertical style of play, and strong defensive presence, with an emphasis on playing on the wings.
According to Verri, Juventus appointed Tudor due to his connection to the club as a former player, hoping to instill a more aggressive and vertical style of play.
Tudor's managerial career has yielded one major trophy, the Croatian Cup, which he won with Hajduk Split in 2013.
However, his tenure at Juventus was marked by tension, particularly after the arrival of general manager Damien Commoli, which ultimately led to his dismissal.
Tudor was sacked after just seven months, following an eight-game winless streak, which left Juventus eighth in Serie A and 25th in the Champions League's league phase.
During his time at Juventus, Tudor achieved a win rate of 47.1% in 17 league games, with eight victories.
Verri attributes the tension between Tudor and Commoli to disagreements over transfer market decisions, including the departure of Kolo Muani, which Tudor had opposed.
Tudor's frequent changes to the starting lineup created uncertainty, and his public criticism of the team's performances and transfer dealings ultimately led to his dismissal.
As Verri notes, the team's poor performance and the fans' dissatisfaction with the results contributed to the decision to part ways with Tudor.
According to Verri, Juventus never felt that Tudor was the right person to take the team to the next level.
Analysis by BBC Sport senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel provides insight into Tottenham's decision to appoint Tudor.
The club's primary objective was to find an interim head coach who could see out the remainder of the season.
Within this context, the Spurs hierarchy sought a manager with top-level experience and a commitment to attacking football.
After evaluating their options, Tottenham concluded that Tudor met their key criteria.
Tudor's experience managing top European clubs and handling high-profile players was seen as a major advantage.
His reputation for aggressive, attacking football was particularly appealing to Spurs, given the criticism of their playing style under Thomas Frank.
Tottenham also admired Tudor's ability to improve teams in the short term, as evidenced by his achievements at Lazio and Juventus.
For instance, his Lazio team remained unbeaten in the league for his first two months in charge, while his Juventus side lost only one of their first nine games under his management.
Although Tudor's tenure at Juventus ultimately ended in disappointment, his initial success, including an eight-game unbeaten streak, demonstrates his potential to make a positive impact at Tottenham.
The club has appointed Tudor as an interim manager, with the understanding that a more permanent solution will be sought after the current season.
A similar situation arose with Michael Carrick at Manchester United, where an initial temporary appointment led to an interesting dilemma when the team performed well, raising questions about the manager's long-term prospects.
During his tenure at Hajduk Split from 2013 to 2015, Tudor oversaw 70 matches, achieving an average of 1.63 points per game, and secured the Croatian Cup title in the 2012-13 season.
At PAOK, where he managed from 2015 to 2016, Tudor was in charge for 45 games, earning an average of 1.51 points per match.
His stint at Karabukspor, which lasted from 2016 to 2017, consisted of 21 matches, with an average of 1.29 points per game.
Tudor managed Galatasaray in 2017, leading the team through 34 matches and achieving a 1.79 points per game average.
In 2018, he had a brief spell at Udinese, managing four matches with an average of 1.75 points per game.
Tudor returned to Udinese in 2019 for a second stint, overseeing 21 matches with an average of 1.33 points per game.
His second tenure at Hajduk Split, which began in 2020, saw him manage 18 matches, earning an average of 1.56 points per game.
From 2021 to 2022, Tudor was at the helm of Hellas Verona, managing 36 matches with a 1.47 points per game average.
At Marseille, where he managed from 2022 to 2023, Tudor led the team through 48 matches, achieving an average of 1.83 points per game.
In 2024, he managed Lazio for 11 matches, earning an average of 1.91 points per game.
Tudor's tenure at Juventus in 2025 consisted of 24 matches, with an average of 1.58 points per game.
For the latest updates, analysis, and fan perspectives on Tottenham, please refer to our dedicated section.
If you have any questions about Tottenham, feel free to ask, and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.
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Chelsea Advances in FA Cup with Neto’s Three Goals Against Hull
Pedro Neto’s three goals propelled Chelsea into the FA Cup fifth round, as the team secured a convincing victory over Hull City, a Championship club.
Chelsea has advanced to the FA Cup fifth round, courtesy of a decisive victory over Hull City, with Pedro Neto scoring three goals in the match.
DETAILS OF THE MATCH: The FA Cup fourth-round encounter between Hull City and Chelsea ended in a 0-4 defeat for the Championship team.
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Hebron Mayor Speaks Out as Israel Increases West Bank Presence
Palestinians claim that Israel’s actions are limiting their involvement in decisions related to planning and development in the West Bank.
A senior Palestinian official in the West Bank has expressed concerns that Israel's recent expansion of control in the region may mark the end of the road for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, citing the significant impact on the peace process.
Asma al-Sharabati, the acting mayor of Hebron, has stated that new legislation announced by Israeli cabinet ministers will effectively exclude Palestinian authorities from decision-making processes related to urban planning and development, even in areas currently under Palestinian control.
Hebron, a city in the West Bank, is a frequent site of tensions, with Israeli soldiers stationed to protect hundreds of Israeli settlers living among Palestinians in a heavily militarized area.
On Sunday, the Israeli security cabinet approved significant changes to the division of powers in the West Bank, which was established over three decades ago under the US-backed Oslo Accords, signed by both Israeli and Palestinian leaders in 1993.
The changes include the expansion of Israeli control over municipal services in Palestinian-run areas, as well as the transfer of authority to manage so-called "heritage sites" across the West Bank, citing the need to protect water, environmental, and archaeological resources.
Israel has also announced plans to assume control over the planning authority at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, a site of great significance in Judaism, located within the Ibrahimi Mosque.
According to al-Sharabati, the new measures will enable Israel to unilaterally declare any building or site as "ancient" and take control of it, effectively bypassing Palestinian authorities in urban planning and development decisions.
Al-Sharabati stated that she had not received formal notification of Israel's plans and was instead gathering information from Israeli news sources.
A short distance from Hebron's bustling market, a heavily fortified Israeli checkpoint marks the boundary between the city and a nearby area, where Palestinian shops are closed, and streets are restricted to protect Israeli settlers.
Palestinian activist Issa Amro resides in this volatile area, known as H2, which is characterized by a complex and winding route through Palestinian homes and stony pathways.
During a visit to Amro's home, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish couple was seen picnicking under the trees outside, while a local settler emerged from a nearby house and followed the group for a short distance.
Inside Amro's house, a plaque reading "Free Palestine" is displayed, while a large Israeli flag can be seen flying over the streets below.
Amro pointed out nearby Palestinian buildings that have been evacuated due to years of tension and expanding Israeli control.
However, Amro believes that the latest changes represent a significant shift, stating that Israel is now formalizing its control through legal means.
"Previously, they were expanding without a legal basis," Amro said. "Now, they will be the law. They are changing the status from Occupied Territories to a legal dispute, effectively annexing the land without granting me, as a Palestinian, any rights."
Israel plans to begin providing municipal services to Jewish settlers in Hebron and allow private Israeli citizens to purchase land across the West Bank, a move that is prohibited under both Jordanian and Palestinian law.
Palestinians who have sold property to Israelis in the past may face risks due to Israel's planned publication of classified land registry information.
The social stigma associated with selling property to Israelis is deeply ingrained, reflecting the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Jibril Moragh, a resident of Hebron, recounted an incident 18 years ago when he refused an offer from a group of Israelis to purchase his house near the Ibrahimi Mosque.
"One of them offered me 25 million shekels, but I refused," Moragh said. "The man was willing to pay any price, and even allowed me to continue living in the house, but I would not sell to the occupation."
Over 700,000 Israeli settlers reside in the occupied West Bank and annexed East Jerusalem, territories captured by Israel from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East War, which Palestinians claim as part of their future independent state, along with the Gaza Strip.
The construction of Israeli settlements in these areas is considered illegal under international law.
The recent expansion of Israeli control over the West Bank, particularly in the aftermath of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, marks a significant shift in Israel's policies towards the region.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who oversees settlement policies, stated that the new measures aim to "deepen our roots in all parts of the land of Israel" and effectively rule out the possibility of a Palestinian state.
Zvi Sukkot, a lawmaker in Smotrich's far-right Religious Zionism party, expressed his expectation of full Israeli sovereignty over the region, emphasizing the need to protect Israel's heritage and environmental resources, even in Palestinian-run areas.
The latest changes not only undermine the agreements signed by Israel decades ago but also erode the remaining powers of the Palestinian Authority, which was slated to take over power from Hamas under Donald Trump's peace plan.
Hebron's mayor, al-Sharabati, expressed her concerns, stating that Palestinians are not protected and that institutions are failing to safeguard their rights, while the international community focuses on the Gaza Strip and its associated humanitarian crises.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called for a firm response from the US government, arguing that Israel's decision disrupts Trump's efforts in the region and violates international law.
To date, President Trump has only reiterated his opposition to Israel's formal annexation of the West Bank, without providing further comment on the recent developments.
Several countries, including the UK, have recognized a Palestinian state, and in response to Israel's assumption of civilian powers in Palestinian-controlled territory, the UK government has been asked to clarify its stance.
Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East Hamish Falconer stated that the UK government would provide further comment in the coming days, emphasizing that the decision is widely regarded as a significant mistake.
"We strongly condemn the decision and expect to see it reversed," Falconer said, echoing the sentiments of many of Israel's allies.
The expansion of Israeli control in the West Bank has continued, even as international attention remains focused on the Gaza Strip.
However, Trump's plan for Gaza relies on the support of Arab countries, many of which are demanding progress towards a Palestinian state, highlighting the interconnectedness of the region's conflicts.
Developments in Hebron and the West Bank may still have a significant impact on Trump's vision for Gaza and the broader Middle East peace process.
Additional reporting was provided by Yousef Shomali and Rebecca Hartmann.
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Leigh Secure Convincing Win in Season Opener Against Leeds
The Leigh Leopards kicked off their Super League season in impressive fashion, scoring five tries in their match against the Leeds Rhinos.
The 2026 Super League season got off to a strong start for Leigh Leopards, with Edwin Ipape playing a key role in their dominant performance.
The scoring breakdown consisted of tries from Senior, Ipape, Hughes, Davis, and Lam, with Cook successfully converting three goals.
On the other side, Jenkins and Croft scored tries for their team, while Hankinson made three successful conversions.
Leigh Leopards began their Super League campaign with a resounding win, securing a five-try victory over Leeds Rhinos.
By halftime, Adrian Lam's team had established a significant lead, with tries from Innes Senior and Edwin Ipape giving them a 10-2 advantage over their opponents, who had finished third and fourth in the previous season.
As tensions rose, with Leeds' Harry Newman alleging an eye gouge incident, the Rhinos attempted to mount a comeback, with prop Cooper Jenkins scoring a try in response to efforts from Jack Hughes and Matt Davis early in the second half.
Lachlan Lam ultimately sealed the win for Leigh, ending a four-game losing streak against Leeds, while Brodie Croft added a late try for the Rhinos, narrowing the margin of defeat.
The Leigh lineup consisted of Hodgson, Senior, Niu, Brand, Charnley, Cook, Lam, Trout, Ipape, Mulhern, Ha;ton, Alick-Wienke, and Ofahengaue.
The team's interchanges included Hughes, Davis, Badrock, Horne, and O'Brien, who contributed to the team's overall performance.
The Leeds team featured Miller, Lumb, Newman, Hankinson, Hall, Croft, Brown, Jenkins, O'Connor, Holroyd, McDonnell, O'Neill, and Watkins.
Leeds' interchanges included Nicholson-Watton, Levi, Cassell, and Littlewood, who played a part in the game.
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