Igor Tudor's Tottenham Gamble: The Taskmaster Who'd Bench Messi

Tottenham's move for Igor Tudor as interim manager remains unconfirmed, though reports have suggested the former Juventus boss will steer the ship until season's end. Italian journalist Matteo Moretto initially broke the story, with Gianluca Di Marzio subsequently claiming a verbal agreement exists. The Athletic's David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano have since validated that Tudor is set to take the helm in a caretaker capacity.

What exactly will Spurs get from the Croatian? Italian football commentator Patrick Kendrick offered Sky Sports an insight into Tudor's methods and mentality.

"Looking at his recent moves, he's comfortable parachuting into these temporary assignments," Kendrick explained. "He views himself as a problem-solver, really.

"His bread and butter is a 3-4-2-1 shape. He's not particularly keen on width initially. It's rather like the system Ivan Juric favoured during his Southampton stint.

"Verona's probably his best work—a prolific outfit with two playmakers supporting a single forward, but that defensive three is fashionable in Italy and offers structural security."

Tudor's playing career netted him several honours at Juventus, though his managerial trophy cabinet contains only the Croatian Cup, won with Hajduk Split. Kendrick reckons the ex-centre-back's immediate priority will be restoring confidence in the dressing room.

"His English is excellent—substantially better than Conte's—so communication won't be an obstacle," Kendrick continued. "He carries genuine conviction and isn't afraid to be direct.

"Rather than overhauling tactics wholesale, his opening move will centre on lifting the squad's spirits."

Tudor's Marseille campaign in 2022/23 proved reasonably successful, finishing third behind Paris Saint-Germain and Lens. Graft underpins everything he does.

George Boxall, a Marseille-based journalist, characterised his approach to BBC Sport: "His football's unrelenting. The lads cover serious ground. There's constant intensity, constant pressure.

"He's a commanding personality and could suit Tottenham if they're after a jolt."

Pierre-Etienne Minonzio, writing for L'Equipe, expanded on that theme: "He demands his players run constantly. In an earlier chat he was clear: 'If you don't run, you don't play.'

"During his sole Marseille season, it was consistently 3-5-2, and it was compelling stuff.

"The wrinkle was Marseille's standout performer, Dimitri Payet—wonderfully gifted but not exactly renowned for his legs—and he sat out.

"L'Equipe had a laugh about it: if Igor Tudor had Lionel Messi available, Messi wouldn't get a look in!"

Minonzio elaborated: "He acquitted himself well in Ligue 1. What struck me is his refusal to court popularity. He's brutally honest, expresses his views freely and makes no attempt at charm. There's nothing calculated about him.

"The same applies to his players. He maintains distance and his sole fixation is grinding out intense, high-volume training sessions to sharpen their physical conditioning for match day."