‘I’m not here to enjoy it, I’m here to work’ – Tottenham interim manager Igor Tudor ahead of Arsenal match | OneFootball

New Tottenham interim manager Igor Tudor says he has no interest in enjoying his role, and he wants to get to work.

Tottenham’s first game under his management, after replacing the sacked Thomas Frank, is the north London derby against Arsenal on Sunday. He could establish himself as an instant fan favourite with a win.

Spurs are currently only five points above the relegation zone, and a win would ease their worries, as well as put a big dent in Arsenal’s title hopes.

Asked if he had enjoyed his first few days as manager, Tudor said: “I’m not here to enjoy it, I’m here to work. Enjoy is the first moment, and then there’s work to do. It’s a fantastic club. I am very focused to do the right things.

“My first goal is that we become a team in the right meaning of the word, that suffers when it needs to suffer, to fight, to run, to have the right mentality. The start is always about mentality.”

Tottenham have had a difficult injury situation this season, and Tudor issued an update: “[Dominic] Solanke has some problem with his throat but he made today’s (Friday) training. It’s a very rare situation. We have 10 injuries, we trained with 13 players. 

“It is an even bigger challenge to succeed from this situation. It is not about systems. It is important to become a team, a group, who will look after each other. For me this is basic. 

“After that the quality can come out, and for me this is a team with quality, with legs that can run. There is potential.”

Tottenham do not have a good recent record in north London derbies, and have not won one since 2022.

Spurs have, incredibly, not won a Premier League game since 28 December last year, and they have not won a home Premier League game since 8 December.

Arsenal are also struggling. They have won only three of their eight matches in 2026 and dropped two points and a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Wolves in midweek.