Tudor rejects ‘pressure’ after Premier League defeat – but should Spurs have appointed ‘nailed on’ Keane, Hoddle or Redknapp?

Pressure is “not the topic to speak about” at Tottenham despite the club being a point above the Premier League relegation zone after five straight defeats, interim coach Igor Tudor has said.

Tudor, who has lost all of his first three games as a manager in the Premier League after Spurs’ 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Thursday, feels Micky van de Ven’s red card when his side were 1-0 ahead changed the game.

“We tried and I saw different things in the second half,” said Tudor, speaking to TNT Sports about a game in which Palace scored three first-half goals after the 40th minute.

VAN DE VEN IS SENT OFF AFTER GIVING AWAY A PENALTY 🟥@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/rn2wg2WlBc

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“After this game, I believe even more than before. Maybe it sounds strange, but I saw something in the team – even now, in the dressing room.

“I saw some good energy, some [desire], some passion. We need to stop speaking about pressure – this is not the topic to speak about. I will not speak anymore about pressure.”

Analysis: Cole backs Robbie Keane for Tottenham job

Tudor, who was sacked by Juventus in October after seven months in charge, was a surprise choice to replace Thomas Frank in February.

Frank lasted less than eight months, leaving after an eight-game winless league run as part of a stretch of two victories in 17 top-flight matches.

Tottenham were five points above the relegation zone at the time but are now a point clear of third-bottom West Ham, who won at Fulham on Wednesday, and fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest, who drew at Manchester City on the same night.

On Wednesday, Calcio Mercato reported that defeat against Palace “could push” Tottenham to “intervene quickly” and end Tudor’s temporary tenure.

Desperate scenes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at full-time.

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“There is now open discussion of the possibility of Tudor’s immediate dismissal if the downward spiral is not halted,” the outlet claimed.

Former England international Joe Cole told the broadcaster that the role could have gone to “someone with a bit of experience” such as veterans Glenn Hoddle or Harry Redknapp.

“This was absolutely nailed on for someone like a Robbie Keane; someone who’s gone and proven himself, club legend,” added Cole.

Three-time Tottenham Player of the Season Keane, 45, has drawn admirers for his management of Hungarian side Ferencvaros.

Hoddle is also considered one of Tottenham’s greatest players and guided them between 2001 and 2003, working as a pundit since his last managerial role with Wolves in 2006.

Redknapp led Tottenham between 2008 and 2012, winning the Premier League Manager of the Year award in 2009/10. The 79-year-old has not managed since 2017.

Former Tottenham striker Peter Crouch agreed that a manager more familiar to supporters would have been a better choice.

“At least with that, the crowd are buzzing,” said Crouch. “You’ve galvanised everyone behind you, willing you to do well.

“Even if it ultimately doesn’t work, at least the crowd have been lifted and you feel like you’ve got that 12th man.”

Here’s how Opta ranked the five likeliest teams to be relegated following Tottenham’s latest defeat.

Was Igor Tudor right about Tottenham vs Palace?

Spurs are the only side in the division yet to win a league game in 2026, but Cole backed Tudor’s more optimistic remarks.

Striker Dominic Solanke, who put Tottenham ahead shortly before Ismaila Sarr equalised for Palace, went closest after the break, with Tottenham re-emerging early.

“No manager wants to come out after a defeat and speak to us,” said Cole. “I agree with what he said – he sees signs in the second half where there was a bit of bite and togetherness.

“They actually did better with 10 men. They’ve got to play without pressure in a pressure situation.”

Van de Ven denied Ismaila Sarr a clear scoring opportunity by pulling the winger, who netted twice, down inside the box at the expense of a red card and penalty.

“You’ve got to find whatever that thing is that makes your team go out there and makes this whole stadium get behind them, rather than play like they were at times, when they were nervous, anxious and making mistakes they usually wouldn’t make,” said Cole.

Spurs suffered a ninth defeat in their last 14 home league matches, while Palace rose to 13th.