Tottenham’s interim manager, Igor Tudor, is mourning the death of his father, Mario. Tudor was unable to fulfil his media commitments after Spurs’ 3-0 Premier League home defeat by Nottingham Forest because of the bereavement.
The Spurs assistant Bruno Saltor stepped in and the Spaniard declined to reveal any details on Tudor’s “family issue”. Juventus announced on Monday that their former player and manager was grieving his father’s death. In a statement the club said: “Juventus stands with Igor Tudor and his family at this difficult time. Juventus joins in mourning the passing of his father.”
It is understood Tudor discovered the news about his father after the full‑time whistle. Saltor said on Sunday: “It’s a personal family issue and obviously it’s a difficult moment for him. I’m just trying to support the best way we can.”
A statement by Tottenham on Monday read: “Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Igor Tudor’s father, Mario. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Igor and his family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Spurs are without a fixture for three weeks and return to action at Sunderland on 12 April. Their captain, Cristian Romero, has promised to put “200%” into Tottenham’s seven remaining “finals” to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Spurs’ survival hopes took a hit after the Forest defeat, that dropped them to 17th and increased the possibility of a first relegation since 1977. Tottenham’s winless league run stands at 13 matches and despite fans flooding the streets in N17 to give the team bus a raucous welcome, the pre‑match optimism was replaced with a sense of inevitability after another abject defeat.
“It’s a difficult day for everyone, but the first thing is to speak about the fans. Thank you for today and always staying with us,” Romero said. “They gave us fantastic support – but about us, it’s a bad day. Now it is finished and the most important thing is to understand the situation.
“It’s not easy but the most important thing is to get to national team and back here for the last seven finals. I promise [to] put 200% in every one and for me it is not easy, but we have to stay all together. It’s a bad day yeah, but we will go again.”
Much-needed momentum for Spurs had been built by a spirited point at Liverpool and a 3-2 victory against Atlético Madrid to increase belief that a first league win of 2026 was on the horizon against relegation rivals Forest. An estimated 10,000 Tottenham fans spilled on to the High Road to create a partisan atmosphere before kick-off, which filtered into the ground and was followed by an initially positive first half.
Richarlison headed one chance wide, Forest forward Igor Jesus diverted a header on to his own crossbar, but Jesus delivered a sucker-punch before half-time. Although Mathys Tel responded with a curled effort against the crossbar, Spurs collapsed in the second period.
A double change by Tudor did not help, and too many home players switched off for Morgan Gibbs-White’s goal after 62 minutes before Taiwo Awoniyi’s 87th-minute effort sealed victory for Forest, sparking a mass exodus of supporters before full-time.
Romero said on SpursPlay: “It’s incredible and especially in this moment, after this season is no good. Honestly I’m the first to take responsibility – but the fans, thank you. Thank you every game, the support is brilliant and it’s only 1774295481 about the players, the staff and we need [to give] more, especially me the first, but the last seven finals we will go again.”
