Tottenham suffers historic sixth consecutive defeat.
Under pressure Tottenham Hotspur manager Igor Tudor admitted that “everything is going wrong” following his team’s sixth consecutive defeat, marking a first in the club’s nearly 144-year history.
A 5-2 loss to Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday represented a new low in a dismal season for Tottenham, who currently sit just one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League.
Tudor took charge on February 14, succeeding the dismissed Thomas Frank, and has since overseen four straight losses, struggling to instill confidence among the Tottenham players.
No prior Spurs manager had experienced four consecutive defeats in their initial matches.
“We are very fragile, very weak,” Tudor remarked.
“It’s not about me,” he responded when questioned about the club’s commitment to him. “We need to remain calm. Less talking.”
Tudor described the situation at Tottenham as “very strange, very unusual.”
“It’s challenging to explain this,” said the Croatian, who faced scrutiny for choosing Antonín Kinsky as goalkeeper for his Champions League debut, only to replace him in the 17th minute after he made two errors that led to goals.
Compounding the issues, Cristian Romero and João Palhinha collided late in the match and both were forced to leave the field, reducing Tottenham to nine players. Romero, the captain, attempted to continue playing but ultimately exited the pitch, visibly shaken.
Both players may now miss the upcoming league match against Liverpool on Sunday, while centre-back Micky van de Ven will be unavailable due to suspension.
Following the match, the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust called for “emergency action” in light of the historically poor start for their manager and the team’s performance.
“Tonight’s performance and result is a total disgrace. It’s indicative of the dire situation at Spurs right now,” a statement from THST stated. “From the January transfer window to the management appointments, the lack of leadership and the complete absence of anyone with a Spurs background influencing these decisions. Where is the Daring to Do? Where are the Echoes of Glory?
“Emergency action is necessary as we are currently sleepwalking towards disaster. Being a Spurs fan has never been more challenging, but supporters will not passively watch the club continue to decline.”
Information from The Associated Press and PA was used in this report.
