Gary Neville says Tottenham need to end ‘shambles’ Tudor tenure after Kinsky treatment | OneFootball

Igor Tudor’s tenure at Tottenham is a “car crash” that needs to be brought to an end, according to former England defender Gary Neville.

The Croatian’s position is under intense scrutiny after four straight losses and in the aftermath of Tuesday’s debacle against Atletico Madrid, where Tudor selected reserve keeper Antonin Kinsky only to substitute him after 17 minutes with Spurs 3-0 down.

They went on to lose 5-2, all but ending their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals, and, speaking to The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, Neville said of the treatment of Kinsky: “I thought it was brutal.

“I thought the whole thing of the last few weeks and then that, the whole thing is just a car crash, a shambles.

“The problem I had was Tudor’s interview. I think he’s got to come in there and say, ‘Look, I got this wrong, I should have left (Guglielmo) Vicario in net’, but he didn’t, he doubled down.”

Tudor was only appointed four weeks ago following the sacking of Thomas Frank but Neville believes Tottenham must act again immediately to have any hope of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.

“If you’re going to make another change, that for me needs to be today or tomorrow, because you don’t wait,” he added.

open image in gallery

Antonin Kinsky walks past Igor Tudor after being substituted (Bradley Collyer/PA) (PA Wire)

Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright agreed that Tudor is not the right man for the role, saying: “You don’t want to see anybody get sacked but, when you see somebody who’s blatantly out of their depth, it’s uncomfortable.

“For him to make that decision, for that poor goalkeeper, for him to go into a game like that at a club like that to start, I don’t know what he’s seen in training. For me, Vicario is the number one, he plays in that game.

“You do that in another game for him because now, look at this guy Kinsky. That’s the biggest nightmare since the Liverpool goalkeeper.”

Wright was referring to Loris Karius’ horror show in the 2018 Champions League final, and Tudor’s treatment of Kinsky drew mixed reviews.

The Croatian did not acknowledge the 22-year-old after hauling him off, but Roy Keane described the outcry as an overreaction, saying: “He’s made a couple of mistakes, huge mistakes.”

Former England striker Wayne Rooney added: “He’s tried to protect him but it looks horrendous. I think the biggest issue was starting him. I’ve no problem with him taking him off.

“Should he hug him? If I got brought off after 20 minutes, I wouldn’t want a hug off my manager. He can speak to him after the game.”

Former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane, who is currently in charge at Hungarian side Ferencvaros, was cited as a possible replacement along with Sean Dyche.

Rooney reserved his strongest criticism for the Spurs squad, saying: “Those players need to look at themselves because I think they’ve been an absolute disgrace. The performances, the attitude, the lack of desire, the lack of fight, lack of anything in them.

“I think they need someone to go in and absolutely batter them. They need some fear put into them.”

Who next for Spurs?

Igor Tudor remains Tottenham interim head coach but a horrendous start to his reign means the relegation-threatened club could ponder another managerial change.

Here we look at the short-term options Spurs may turn to should Tudor’s era come to an end.

Harry Redknapp

It may seem crazy to turn to a 79-year-old who has been out of work for nine years and is best known recently for being declared ‘King of the Jungle’ on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, but ex-Spurs boss Redknapp has repeatedly thrown his hat in the ring.

open image in gallery

Harry Redknapp does not expect Tottenham to get in touch (Adam Davy/PA). (PA Wire)

Redknapp does also possess the arm-around-the-shoulder man-management skills that may get the best out of a group of players devoid of confidence.

If surrounded by young and enthusiastic coaches, for example Jermain Defoe, it could work in the same way Martin O’Neill’s arrival has revitalised Celtic.

Sean Dyche

Ordinarily a club in a relegation fight would turn to firefighter Dyche, who rescued Everton from a sticky situation and initially built up his fine reputation with an outstanding job at Burnley.

Dyche’s more direct style of play has often drawn criticism and is believed to be a key factor in why he left Nottingham Forest after a short spell, but he has plenty of experience of a survival battle.

Would Tottenham really turn to him, though?

Ange Postecoglou

Perhaps the most obvious solution would be to turn back to Postecoglou, especially given this is largely his squad and despite a difficult 2024-25 campaign, the charismatic Greek-born Australian coach managed to keep the majority of players on side.

A number of key players at Spurs were stunned Postecoglou was dismissed after he ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought with Europa League success in Bilbao.

He would instantly demand the respect of the low-on-confidence group and they would undoubtedly welcome his return, but would the hierarchy swallow their pride and bring him back?

Ryan Mason

If going back to Postecoglou would be an admission of a mistake made last summer, perhaps Tottenham could turn to one of last season’s coaching staff in Mason.

The majority moved on after Europa League success and even Matt Wells, who stayed on under Thomas Frank, has now started his managerial career at Colorado Rapids in America.

Mason went to West Brom and, while he was sacked in January after a poor run of away form left the Baggies 18th in the Championship, his replacement has already been moved on and they sit 23rd.

A boyhood Spurs fan and player who has twice been caretaker before and played a crucial role in the club’s triumph in Bilbao, his rapport with the squad would make him a viable option.

Glenn Hoddle

Finally, Hoddle, one of the greatest footballers in Spurs’ history, has already made clear he would return to help the club.

Hoddle managed Tottenham for three years at the start of the century and has been out of work since 2006, but recently admitted if his old team needed assistance, he would step in.

Hoddle suggested pairing up with Robbie Keane, but would certainly tick the box of someone with an association with the club.