New era at Spurs as African stars brace for change after Tudor exit

African contingent at Spurs are set to work under a new manager following the departure of interim head coach Igor Tudor, as the Premier League club looks to steady a turbulent season.

Spurs confirmed that they had “mutually agreed” to part ways with the Croatian after just 44 days in charge, bringing an abrupt end to his short stint in north London.

The decision follows a difficult run of results, with the club losing five of their last seven matches in all competitions.

The final blow came in a heavy 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest on 22 March, a result that left Tottenham languishing in 17th place, only one point above the relegation zone with seven matches remaining.

The managerial change now shifts focus onto several key African players in the squad, including Senegal midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, Mali international Yves Bissouma, and Ghana forward Mohammed Kudus.

All three have played important roles for Tottenham in recent seasons and will now have to adapt quickly to a new tactical approach once a replacement is appointed.

Tottenham indicated that an announcement on a new head coach will be made soon, with the club keen to have a successor in place before the majority of players return from international duty.

In the meantime, assistant coach Bruno Saltor will oversee training sessions for those remaining at the club.

Tudor had been appointed on 14 February following the dismissal of Thomas Frank, with his contract initially set to run until the end of the season.

However, results failed to improve significantly under his leadership, intensifying pressure on the club’s hierarchy to act quickly.

In a statement, Spurs said: “An update on a new head coach will be provided in due course.”

They added: “We thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their efforts during the past six weeks, in which they worked tirelessly.”

The club also acknowledged Tudor’s personal circumstances, stating: “We also acknowledge the bereavement that Igor has recently suffered and send our support to him and his family at this difficult time.”

Alongside Tudor, members of his backroom staff, including goalkeeping coach Tomislav Rogic and physical coach Riccardo Ragnacci, have also departed.

For Tottenham’s African players, the coming weeks could prove decisive.

With the team battling to avoid relegation, their performances under the incoming manager may play a crucial role in determining the club’s fate this season.

Sarr and Bissouma, who were instrumental in helping Spurs secure the 2025 Europa League title, will be expected to provide stability in midfield, while Kudus offers attacking threat in a side struggling for consistency.

Beyond the immediate challenge of survival, the managerial change also raises questions about long-term plans at the club, particularly regarding squad structure and player roles.

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Mubarak Haruna
Mubarak Haruna is an emerging force in African football journalism, recognised for his speed, accuracy and ability to break major stories. He specialises in breaking news, match coverage and multimedia storytelling across radio, television and digital platforms.He holds a degree in Journalism from the Ghana Institute of Journalism and has developed his craft within some of Ghana’s leading media organisations. Mubarak has worked with the Multimedia Group, where he served as a sports radio and television presenter at Joy FM, while also contributing as a writer for Myjoyonline.com.Known for his sharp instincts and ability to deliver timely football stories, Mubarak has gained growing recognition for his impactful reporting and dedication to the profession.He is currently the Deputy Managing Editor of African.Football, where he plays a key role in driving editorial operations, breaking major stories and supporting the platform’s mission to deliver fast, reliable and high-quality African football content to a global audience.

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