Tudor apologises to Tottenham fans and opens up on Kinsky substitution
The interim head coach says now is not a time for talking after another loss
Igor Tudor has apologised to Tottenham supporters following a heavy defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last-16.
Spurs endured a difficult evening in which several defensive errors handed the tie to the Spanish side, leaving the club 5-2 down heading back to North London for the second leg last week.
The Tottenham manager also addressed his decision to start goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who handed the hosts two goals before being substituted in the 17th minute. Tudor was asked whether he thought it was a good idea to give the keeper his first Champions League start in such a tough fixture.
“No, after you see what happened, it’s the wrong decision. But it was the right decision before,” Tudor told TNT Sports.
“A change of competition, it was the right moment. Unfortunately, what happened, happened. I never changed a goalkeeper after 20 minutes.
“It was a strange game, very strange game. We gave them three goals. We even started good then the problems kill us in three situations.
“Very, very strange. Very unusual. It took our confidence. We had an opportunity to make it 4-2 then we concede a goal for 5-1.”
The Croatian also issued an apology to supporters following the disappointing performance.
“We apologise to the fans and to everyone. It’s a difficult moment. Everything looks like going wrong. Small mistakes, we pay. Everything, unbelievable.
“Even this situation at the end, two players [colliding]. It felt like everything was going against us.”
Tudor conceded the sequence of events was difficult to explain, insisting he had rarely experienced anything similar during his time in football.
“I need to keep working. Not speaking too much, stay focused on the things we can do. It’s unbelievably difficult to explain all these things, the first time in my career that I saw these things, 15 years.
“I’m focused on the problems, the players also. We need to stay positive.”
With pressure growing around Tottenham’s form, Tudor was also asked about his own future and whether the club’s hierarchy would continue to back him.
“It’s not about me. We need to stay calm. Less talking.
“Better less talking. Now is not the moment to try and give a big explanation.”