Wayne Rooney questions Tottenham decision to hire Igor Tudor.
Wayne Rooney has expressed doubts about Tottenham Hotspur’s choice to hire Igor Tudor as interim head coach, suggesting that the club may have missed the chance to bring in Robbie Keane after Thomas Frank’s departure.
Spurs have brought in Tudor for a short-term assignment, focusing on team survival. However, Rooney points out that Tudor’s lack of experience in the Premier League could complicate matters in a relegation battle, especially with so little time to adjust.
Tudor is known for stabilizing struggling teams in Italy, which influenced Tottenham’s decision to opt for an interim solution instead of a permanent hire. The club needed someone available quickly who could organize a disjointed squad while they assessed longer-term options for the summer. Nevertheless, Tudor’s first task proved challenging, as the team suffered a heavy 4-1 loss in the north London derby, highlighting the scale of the work required.
Here is what Rooney shared via GiveMeSport.
“I think he [Tudor] has done it over in Italy, where he’s gone in to save teams from getting relegated, but the Premier League is completely different. So surprised [about the appointment]. But who else is out there? Robbie Keane. He keeps getting overlooked for some reason. He’s done a fantastic job in the places he’s been.”
“I think you’re looking and he gets overlooked by Celtic all the time, and this time by Tottenham when potentially, it could have been a good fit.”
Rooney explains why Keane would have been a strong candidate
Rooney believes that Robbie Keane would have been a good choice because of his link to the club and his rising status in management. He noted that Keane seems to be overlooked despite achieving solid results elsewhere, and that Spurs might have gained from choosing someone familiar with both the club and the league.
Currently, Keane is successfully managing Ferencvaros, and leaving that position for a short-term role elsewhere may not be sensible. Tottenham has only been able to offer a deal until the season’s end in order to keep their options open for a permanent appointment. This expectation likely influenced the rejection of Keane’s return despite interest from both parties.
The main reason for hiring Tudor was simply to ensure survival in the Premier League. This approach carries risk, particularly when the team is close to the relegation zone and morale is low.
Ultimately, whether Tudor succeeds will depend on the results in the coming weeks rather than past accomplishments. Tottenham’s goal is clear: gain enough points to avoid relegation, and any evaluation of the interim hire will hinge on whether the club meets these goals.