Absolute confidence in the new coach ahead of the North London derby
In his first press conference, Igor Tudor, the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur, sent a strong message of confidence to the club's fans, asserting that he was "100%" certain of the club's ability to avoid relegation and remain in the Premier League for next season. These decisive statements came ahead of what is arguably the toughest challenge of his tenure: the fiery North London derby against arch-rivals Arsenal, the league leaders.
A tense situation and an urgent rescue mission
Former Juventus manager Tudor takes charge of the team at a critical juncture, with Tottenham currently languishing in 16th place, just five points above the relegation zone. This slump in form led to the dismissal of former manager Thomas Frank and the appointment of the Croatian coach on a rescue mission that will last until the end of the season. Therefore, his initial statements carry significant weight in boosting the morale of both the players and the fans.
Tudor categorically refused to be drawn into talk of a relegation battle, deeming it a pointless exercise. He explained his philosophy: “Fighting for every position, whether it’s to avoid relegation, win the title, or qualify for Europe, is achieved through what you do during the week in training and then on match day. Thinking about relegation is useless. All these goals are distant, and I don’t give them any importance.”.
The importance of the North London derby and its expected impact
The North London derby is one of the oldest and fiercest rivalries in English and world football, and its importance extends far beyond just securing three points. For Tottenham, a home win in this match would not only provide a significant mathematical boost away from the relegation zone, but would also represent a major morale-boosting victory and a perfect start under Tudor, potentially altering the course of the entire season. Furthermore, derailing their bitter rivals' title aspirations would offer an additional incentive for both the fans and the players.
On the other hand, Arsenal enters the match as league leaders, and any slip-up in the derby could open the door for their rivals to close the gap, putting immense pressure on the Gunners. Therefore, the match takes on paramount importance for both sides, promising a highly charged atmosphere and relentless competition on the pitch.
Immediate challenges and a clear message for players
Tudor acknowledged the challenges, noting that he was only able to train 13 players due to numerous injuries within the squad. Despite this, he asserted that this number was "perfectly sufficient to achieve our goals." The task is further complicated by the absence of defender Cristian Romero due to suspension. When asked about who would captain the team in the upcoming match, the new coach preferred to keep his decision confidential, saying, "You'll see on Sunday.".
Tudor concluded his remarks with a clear message to his players and the world: “It’s a great game to start with. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Arsenal, and we need to show them that we care and want to make an immediate change. The most important thing is that we become a team and a group that cares about each other. That’s fundamental for me, and then the quality can show.”.
