Tudor says relegation is "a dangerous word" that Tottenham do not mention this season

Tudor says relegation is "a dangerous word" that Tottenham do not mention this season
Tudor says relegation is "a dangerous word" that Tottenham do not mention this seasonAction Images via Reuters

Tottenham interim manager Igor Tudor has spoken to the media ahead of this weekend's clash with Fulham, insisting his players are not panicking despite poor form putting them nearer the relegation zone.

Tudor’s first game in charge ended in defeat as his Spurs side suffered a brutal 4-1 home loss to North London rivals Arsenal last weekend. 

Tottenham are now four points above the relegation zone as they search for their first win of 2026 as fans begin to worry that they will see their side in the Championship next season.

Spurs are a handful 

Asked first if the job is harder than he expected, Tudor admitted that he has his work cut out for him with just 10 games remaining. 

"Probably yes. I agree with you. Very tough, but it is what I said before, I don't change my opinion. That is it. So daily work, focus on all things we need to do - physical condition, mental condition, performance and waiting on (injured) players to come back. 

"So we need to be focused on us, what we can do, less thinking about others and it should be good." 

Has Tudor discussed relegation with the squad?

Fulham are looking to complete the double over Spurs after claiming a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture three months ago as well as their four successive home game over the North London side.

A loss would push Tottenham closer to relegation and the media asked whether he has discussed the topic with the squad as fans begin to worry.

"No, I never used, but not because it's something to scare or something, it's like, I don't know how to explain, it's a dangerous word or we not speak with, you know.

"It's about that we need to be focused on ourselves, really. That's what I said here. And I also in the same way I speak with my players, to be focused on ourselves, you know, on the training. That's the only thing we can change.

"So there is nothing to think about the future or the points here, you know. The points come as a consequence of the training and the games. So that's the focus, that's the main and only focus we need to have." 

Tudor clears up Van de Ven drama

Finally, Tudor cleared up a clip of Micky van de Ven during Tottenham's defeat to Arsenal, appearing to show the defender ignoring his instructions. The clip went viral online and Tudor says there is nothing to it.

"If you watch...I said to him, come closer, and he come closer. In that moment, I said that it was all for all defence to go up, not only that. We didn't even speak about this, me and Micky, because nothing to speak, you know.

"He's a fantastic guy, a very good professional, so he would never do that things, you know."