Igor Tudor tells Tottenham players: You can either weep or you can battle.
Under pressure, Igor Tudor has urged Tottenham players to avoid being “victims” and to disregard the “b——-” in a determined effort to motivate his confidence-shaken squad ahead of Sunday’s match against Liverpool.
The strain increased on interim head coach Tudor after Spurs suffered a 5-2 defeat at Atlético Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, following a chaotic start where backup goalkeeper Antonín Kinsky made two critical mistakes.
Kinsky was replaced after just 17 minutes, but Tudor witnessed Tottenham lose again, marking four consecutive defeats to begin his tenure, a first in the club’s history, and the six straight losses they have experienced this year also set a record.
“It’s not an easy situation, not an easy moment, and on the other hand, a significant challenge to alter things. Like everything in life, you can choose how to perceive the situation. You can either remain and lament or you can fight,” Tudor asserted.
“You can be the victim or you can decide to change something. This is the message I want to convey and what I communicated to the players. Everyone talks, everyone has opinions, and life is always about perspective. The glass is always half empty or half full.
“Here, there is nothing full; there are many empty aspects, but tough times do not last indefinitely. They will pass, and I believe the players who view this as a challenge, as an opportunity, will rise with the courage to effect change. After this period, they will emerge as better individuals and improved players.
“In challenging times, it always comes down to us. Recently, there has been much discussion about the club and its issues, but no one can do anything, and this victim mentality, as if we were victims.
“I told the players this morning the complete opposite. We are the team and we are the staff. It all revolves around us. All the b——-, all the other matters are b——-, and I apologize for using that term, but it is our responsibility.
“I engage in this work every day. Psychological work is crucial. It is also important to instill courage in the teammates. Some of them may struggle to cope, for sure. At times, you arrive and can assist them.
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“My objective is to determine if I can assist in developing 18 players out of 20, 15? I am uncertain how many. Sometimes you cannot do anything, but most of the time, even small adjustments can be made.
“A little support, you know, can be provided, but I always emphasize to the players, do not be a victim.
“Do not think it is not about me. You know that can be the issue more than all these matters concerning Tottenham and the club, you know, like some magic surrounding the club. This is the message I want to convey.”
During a tense press conference where Tudor maintained that his future was “not a topic,” he confirmed that captain Cristian Romero and João Palhinha will be unavailable for the trip to Anfield.
Both are adhering to concussion protocols, which compounds Tudor’s challenges with Micky van de Ven suspended and Yves Bissouma ruled out.
Tudor also announced that Guglielmo Vicario will return against Liverpool but commended Kinsky.
“He returned the day after and performed very well in training,” Tudor stated. “He possesses the strength and quality. Ahead of him lies a promising career.”
