Tottenham Hotspur

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Igor Tudor's decision to substitute Antonin Kinsky early against Atletico Madrid was "disgraceful" and he "should have resigned after the match", says European football expert Julien Laurens.

The Tottenham boss has come in for heavy criticism for his decision to take the goalkeeper off after 17 minutes after early errors during the 5-2 defeat in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Discussing the incident and Tudor's time in charge so far on BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues podcast, Laurens said: "Adds insult to injury [not seeing him off the pitch]. I think it was disgraceful what he did. And it was [Cristian] Romero who told Tudor to take him off, it wasn't even Tudor's decision.

"I'm so disappointed with Tudor since he has arrived - it has been mistake after mistake. He should have resigned after the match. It was another humiliation, like Arsenal, like Crystal Palace. It is a lot of humiliation when you have only been in charge four games.

"I know it is only until the end of the season, but he is on course to be one the worst managers we have ever seen in the Premier League."

Italian football writer James Horncastle shared a similar view, adding: "I've followed his [Tudor's] career in Italy and I've never seen him take action like that - so drastic. Something that is not only damaging to Kinsky but also him. It will be the decision he is most associated with in his Tottenham career.

"It is very hard to expect him to turn it around at Tottenham now. But that is the big surprise for me. Even though he hasn't had Premier League experience, he has had experience of these kinds of situations. To see him flounder and make mistakes nearly every game has been very disappointing."

However, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague felt the ex-Juventus manager was right in his decision.

"When two mistakes happen in quick succession, sportspeople can go through analysis paralysis, which means the goalkeeper in this case stops acting automatically and he begins to over think and then another mistake can happen," he said.

"If Tudor saw this then he has got to get him out."

Listen to the full discussion from 47:00 on BBC Sounds

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Another week from hell for Tottenham and Igor Tudor.

You'd forgive the Croat for, at the very least, wondering if taking this job was worth it.

A 100% loss record since taking over from the sacked Thomas Frank has the Spurs board fearing it might have made a grave error of judgement in appointing Tudor in the first place.

Added to that, as BBC Sport reported on Tuesday, a growing disconnect between the manager and the Tottenham squad has left the club in what appears a state of crisis.

That's before we even mention the narrative regarding Tudor's treatment of Antonin Kinsky, who was subbed off after just 17 minutes of his Champions League debut on Tuesday.

That said, unless a drastic turn of events occurs over the next 48 hours, Tudor will remain in charge for Sunday's Premier League game at Liverpool.

Tudor faces the media to preview that trip to Anfield later on Friday. There won't be a shortage of talking points.

Come back to this page later on Friday for all the key lines from Tudor.

Ex-Nottingham Forest, Everton and Burnley manager Sean Dyche is being considered as a replacement for Igor Tudor as Tottenham interim boss. (Independent), external

But Dyche would be reluctant to take the job and would want a commitment beyond the end of the season, with ex-Spurs players Robbie Keane and Ryan Mason potential options. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer news and gossip? Read Friday's full column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Tottenham Hotspur have announced that season ticket holders will have more time to decide whether or not they want to renew.

The window, which opened on Thursday, was due to close on 26 May, external, two days after the conclusion of Spurs' 2025-2026 Premier League campaign.

Spurs sit 18th in the Premier League table and, one point above the relegation zone, are at risk of dropping into the second tier.

In recognition of the uncertainty around Spurs' league status, the club have pushed back the deadline by two weeks to 7 June, "to ensure fans have full clarity on next season before renewing".

A club statement added: "Everyone at the club remains absolutely steadfast in our collective commitment to improving our Premier League position and finish the current season as strongly as possible."

Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent

For a man-to-man press to work well, it has to be done in a co-ordinated, aggressive manner. If any player is late to apply pressure, the opposition player has time and space on the ball, essentially giving them a man advantage.

Under Thomas Frank, Spurs' defensive approach was more passive, often defending in a more rigid defensive block.

But as they lost to Arsenal in his first game in charge, Igor Tudor was seen urging Micky van de Ven to step upfield. The Dutch centre-back and his team-mates were reluctant to do so at times – a potential hangover from Frank's style of defending.

Spurs' 5-3-2 shape lacks coverage in the wide areas with the wing-backs the only constants here.

The logic behind the 5-3-2 is that attacks through the middle of the pitch are more dangerous, so the three midfielders and two attackers are tasked with blocking this area.

When Spurs pressed from this central shape, Atletico Madrid, Fulham and Crystal Palace smartly placed players in wide and deep areas, increasing the distance Tottenham's players had to run to apply pressure.

This gave them time on the ball but also stretched Spurs' shape, out of possession, opening up gaps to exploit up-field.

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In the build-up to their second goal on Tuesday, Atletico were able to find a free man positioned deep on the right side of defence.

With Mathys Tel unable to apply pressure quickly enough, a long ball was played in behind to Marcus Llorente, running off the back of his marker.

Van de Ven slipped, which allowed Antoine Griezmann to eventually score, but the goal was created by exploiting Spurs' man-marking vulnerabilities.

• Read more on Tottenham's tactical issues

Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha thinks both his former club and Chelsea face too much of an uphill battle to progress in the Champions League.

Both face three-goal deficits going into home legs, with Onuoha stating: "While they will have the belief they can do it, I think the margins are far too big. So while the game is still on for all the English sides, the margin of error is tiny for some of them now."

Their defeats come during a week in which English sides have struggled in Europe, with no wins recorded across six ties.

BBC Sport's Phil McNulty said we have seen "24 hours in which the Premier League's self-styled reputation as the best in the world suffered heavy damage".

"The Premier League's power was supposedly emphasised by having six teams in the last 16 following the league stage, but this was something of a cold shower hosed on talk of its supremacy," McNulty wrote.

All six English teams have now been given a lower predicted chance of reaching the last eight by Opta than before the last-16 first legs.

Arsenal remain favourites to progress, while Liverpool stay second favourites despite trailing by a goal after the first leg.

Champions League Match of the Day pundit Stephen Warnock believes Tottenham manager Igor Tudor has "lost the changing room" after their 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the last 16.

You can watch full highlights of Tottenham Hotspurs' defeat by Atletico Madrid below.

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Where might Tottenham look if they did decide to place man-management at the top of their search priorities?

Former Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason previously stepped up as the club's interim head coach in both 2021 and 2023, overseeing 13 games in the Premier League, before being appointed as assistant coach to Ange Postecoglou.

Mason ended his seven-year coaching career at Spurs last summer to take over at West Brom, but he was sacked by the Championship club in January.

Meanwhile, former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood, speaking on Sky Sports, external, said he could do a short-term stint as the club's head coach to help guide them out of trouble.

Another former Spurs manager, Mauricio Pochettino, was said to be a candidate to permanently replace Thomas Frank, but his contract with the United States men's national team does not expire until after this summer's World Cup.

One former Spurs manager who appears to have ruled himself out of contention is 79-year-old Harry Redknapp.

"I won't [take the job] - I don't expect to get a call," Redknapp told BBC Radio 5 Live. "My focus this week is enjoying myself at Cheltenham."

Former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane was reported to be interested, external in the job before the club appointed Igor Tudor in February.

Spurs may choose to look further afield - but their current options, within the search parameters as they were a month ago, appear limited.

In addition to a track record of having an immediate impact, Spurs sought someone with top level managerial experience who plays attacking football.

When Spurs initially began their search to replace Thomas Frank, himself dismissed after less then eight months in charge, former Marseille boss Roberto de Zerbi, former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic and ex-RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose were among the other potential short-term options.

Ex-Brighton boss De Zerbi left his role as manager of Marseille by mutual consent after just under two years in charge, three days before Spurs confirmed their appointment of Tudor.

Terzic has been out of work since asking Dortmund "to terminate his contract with immediate effect" in June 2024, after leading the club to the Champions League final.

Rose was sacked by Leipzig in March 2025, having won 72 of his 127 matches in charge and lifted the German Cup in 2023.

Within the Premier League, Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva are among the names who will be available this summer - but would any be prepared to leave their respective clubs earlier to help Spurs' cause?

FA Cup-winning manager Glasner has confirmed he will leave Crystal Palace this summer, but his immediate future was understood to be in doubt in February amid a poor run of results.

Bournemouth are reportedly set to, external open contract talks with Iraola in an effort to ward off interest from Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Fulham chief Tony Khan has said he is confident, external Silva will stay at the club "for a long time".

Read more analysis of Spurs' potential manager search here

Tottenham Hotspur will allow goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, 22, to leave the club on loan this summer to rebuild his confidence after the Czech Republic international was withdrawn after just 17 minutes against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. (Telegraph - subscription required).

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Gabby Logan presents highlights of the first-leg ties from the Champions League round of 16. Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle are the six Premier League clubs in action alongside 15-time winners Real Madrid, current holders Paris Saint-Germain and surprise package Bodo/Glimt

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Real Madrid 3-0 Man City

• Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal

• Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool

• Newcastle 1-1 Barcelona

• Atletico Madrid 5-2 Tottenham

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Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust has called for "emergency action" and for match tickets to be refunded after Spurs' 5-2 loss at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Tottenham boss Igor Tudor is under pressure after becoming the first Spurs boss to lose his first four games in charge of the club.

He is also facing criticism for withdrawing young goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky after just 17 minutes following two errors that led to goals.

Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust called the night "a total disgrace".

"From the January transfer window to the management appointments, the lack of leadership and the total absence of anyone with a Spurs pedigree informing these decisions," read the THST statement.

"Where is the Daring to Do? Where are the Echoes of Glory?

"Emergency action is needed as right now we are sleepwalking off the edge of a cliff.

"Being a Spurs fan has never been so difficult but supporters will not sit by and watch the club continue to decline.

"At the very least those in Madrid should have their match tickets refunded. But all we really care about is that the club make us proud.

"We are here to support the team and be the 12th man. But we all deserve so much more."

Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast,, external former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood said Tudor has been making some confusing decisions.

He explained: "He's gone from three at the back to four at the back, then back to three again, with players playing out of position. I've scratched my head at some of the decisions he's made since he came in.

"He hasn't given the players a lift at all. He's a firefighter who has a can of petrol in his hand at the moment - he's adding fuel to the fire rather than restoring confidence to the players.

"Hopefully he can turn it around but, if he doesn't, I think Spurs might roll the dice again. There's an international break after their game against Nottingham Forest, which would be a good opportunity for a new manager to come in and have a look at things."

Tottenham Hotspur owner Enic does not plan to take the decision on Igor Tudor's future out of the hands of the club's executive team despite the manager's poor start.

In addition to concerns over results, sources are indicating that there is a growing disconnect between members of the squad and Tudor, with a number of players left unconvinced that the coach can lead the team to safety.

Tudor's decision not to approach goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky to offer his support after he was substituted 17 minutes into the loss at Atletico has also not gone down well with members of the squad.

Sources have indicated to BBC Sport that the club's owners are not, and have never been, involved in the day to day running of the club, even during Daniel Levy's era, allowing those on the ground to make decisions, and will leave any call about Tudor to the Spurs executives.

It is understood that the decision to sack Frank in February was taken by Venkatesham and Lange before being ratified by the ownership.

Read more from Sami on the story

Bardi
Fan writer

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Many people go on holiday to escape the mundane. They set off in search of sun to lift their spirits or a change of scenery to provide inspiration. You pack your bags and leave your troubles behind for a few days.

But this is Tottenham. That's not how things work in these parts. Spurs landed in Madrid and walked straight into a hotel jam-packed with the failings, curses, and ineptitude that have haunted their season so far.

Never has a Champions League knockout tie experienced such a slapstick opening 45 minutes. Tottenham slipped, gaffed, and tumbled their way to a 4-0 deficit. Antonin Kinsky will bear much of the blame, but you can't blame a person for drowning when they are chucked into the deep end without knowing how to swim.

He wasn't the only one all at sea. Across the pitch, Tottenham were falling over themselves to gift Atletico Madrid the easiest of nights. It was only after Spurs hit rock bottom at 4-0 that they finally stood up and offered some resistance. Yet somehow, no matter how farcical those first 45 minutes were, it was still some of the best football Spurs have mustered this calendar year - a grim marker of how far we've fallen. An hour's worth of competence now feels like progress.

This season, the Champions League has offered us a bit of a retreat from the disasters of the Premier League. We cruised through the group stage with the occasional touch of swagger and competence, but it seems unlikely we'll enjoy this tranquility for much longer. The real business of survival now takes center stage. But with a boardroom bereft of ideas, a manager bereft of charisma, and a squad bereft of confidence, what chance do we have?

Spurs need a miracle to save not only their Champions League status, but their Premier League one as well.

Find more from Bardi at The Extra Inch - a Spurs podcast, external

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Our BBC Sport live page has been asking you two simple questions following Tottenham's dismal showing at Atletico Madrid.

Should Igor Tudor be dismissed and, if so, who should replace him?

At the time of writing, 80% of you have responded saying Tudor should be sacked.

Below are a selection of your submissions on who should take up the hot seat.

Simon: Spurs should go for a past manager or player that the fans can get behind. Harry Redknapp, Tim Sherwood, Mauricio Pochettino (similar to Blackburn with Michael O'Neill). And then they need to fight like hell because otherwise they are going down. Big Sam [Allardyce] would do a job but the fans would revolt.

John: Spurs should bring in Ryan Mason until the end of the season. It might not work but at least someone with a connection and past with the club might be able to inspire something. More than they have right now.

Nabeel: Keep Tudor until after the inevitable hammering we are going to get from Liverpool. We don't want another interim getting beaten badly in their first game again.

Andrew: Ryan Mason has no relationship with the current players. If somebody who knows the club is needed, then Glenn Hoddle is the person. Loves the club, excellent coach, master tactician.

Steve: Spurs last night reminded me of England in 2016 when they lost to Iceland. Plenty of talented individuals all running about like headless wingless chickens. Gareth Southgate took England to a better level and could do that at Spurs.

Follow our live page here

This is your Tottenham page. Bookmark it or hit the bell icon if you're signed in on the app. We'll bring you news, analysis, fan opinion and more every day.

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Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about Igor Tudor's future: "In my opinion it would be the right decision [to get rid of Tudor].

"It was the wrong decision from the start. I don't think he's had any kind of impact. We talk about a new manager bounce - that's what Tottenham were looking for.

"Tudor's record at Udinese - that job that he did there, they weren't in the bottom three. He turned a lower to an average club around and make them face the right direction. He's never spent more than a year at any club that he's been at.

"For Tottenham Hotspur, it's the wrong person at the wrong time.

"You saw the players' performance [against Atletico]. The minimum required from players is maximum effort, attitude, application. It wasn't there.

"They go to Liverpool at the weekend. Every single game now is huge.

"On Tuesday in the Champions League, it was about the performance. The competition is irrelevant, they're not making the final.

"Premier League survival is apparent to Tottenham. What I saw, the attitude and application was not there - they are not playing for that manager. "

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Chief football correspondent John Murray speaking on 5 Live Breakfast about Spurs' defeat by Atletico: "I don't know if I've ever seen anything quite like the first 23 or 24 minutes of what happened in the Metropolitano on Tuesday night.

"I've never seen anything like it. It was extraordinary.

"The feeling was that with the team Igor Tudor had - with Cristian Romero and Djed Spence back - it might not go well for them, but they'd be in touch in the second leg at home.

"The first 20 minutes of that match, they were completely blown away. It was mistake after slip after error after mistake and Atletico Madrid scored goal after goal after goal.

"It was Antonin Kinsky's big call, to play in the Champions League for the first time. To substitute him off, I can't remember seeing anything like that before.

"Two or three of his team-mates came over to him as he was leaving. Tudor stood on the edge of the coaching area and there was no interaction between them at all.

"We were staggered."

On whether Tudor's time is up: "It's very hard to see that this has any mileage left in it. It was widely questioned when he was appointed, it came out of nowhere to replace Thomas Frank.

"We're in a position now where it's almost impossible to think that they'll not have to make another change because of the position they're in.

"In footballing terms, this is an absolute crisis.

"Having finished 17th last season, they're now in danger of dropping into the Championship which for Tottenham is unthinkable."