New Spurs manager Igor Tudor has told Arsenal what to expect from his team on Sunday, as he prepares for his first game in charge.
With no FA Cup fourth-round match to play following their elimination and no Champions League play-off match thanks to their top-eight finish, Spurs have had the last week and a half without any competitive matches.
Sitting just five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, the team took the opportunity to sack Thomas Frank and bring in Igor Tudor on a short-term contract until the end of the season.
As a result, Tudor’s first game in charge will be the north London derby match against Arsenal this weekend, and he’s now spoken to the media about that prospect.
“This derby is a fantastic game to play,” Tudor said. “We want to play this game in a way that our fans will like, giving everything that we have, in the right way, brave… but in the same way intelligent and smart to achieve what we want, and that’s the victory.
“I like to be positive, I like to play offensive football. That is my first goal. I like to score goals, but in the same way for sure you need to give organisation to the defence.
“I’m coming here knowing the situation is not easy. There is no time to find excuses. Each of us, each of the players need to give something more, something extra because every fan of Tottenham cannot accept the situation.”
As well as a new head coach, Spurs have confirmed the appointment of a few assistant coaches to their staff.
Bruno Saltor is joining as one of Tudor’s assistants, Tomislav Rogic as their new goalkeeping coach, and Riccardo Ragnacci as a physical coach. Rogic and Ragnacci have worked with Tudor before, whilst Saltor was most recently with West Ham United working under Graham Potter.
Spurs also employ former Arsenal assistant coach Andreas Georgson, among others, but they’ve confirmed that first-team assistants Justin Cochrane, John Heitinga, and Chris Haslam are all leaving the club with Frank.