TOTTENHAM IGOR TUDOR

IGOR TUDOR is seen as a massive gamble by the Tottenham fan base.

- BY JOHN CROSS

But as the Croatian starts work as Tottenham's interim boss, the club hierarchy views him as a sure thing. That is why they have hired him.

The reason is simple. This is the seventh time Tudor has taken a job mid-season - and none of those clubs has gone down. Tudor is known in Italy as a hard taskmaster, a tough character and it is wrong to paint him as a defensive coach. He bought into the Juventus DNA and his coaching style is pressing, attacking and going on the front foot.

He does not suffer fools gladly and is renowned for setting high standards with players. In terms of shock treatment, Tudor's methods are well established.

His first full management position came with Hajduk Split and, after taking charge with a month or so left, he led them to the Croatian Cup.

At Galatasaray, he led them into Europe just three months after taking charge.

He took over Udinese with them staring at relegation... but he kept them up.

Verona, Lazio and Juventus are similar stories.