234Radio

Tudor could stay at Tottenham for ‘long time’

Michael Emons

BBC Sport journalist

20 February 2026

384 Comments

Updated 12 minutes ago

New Tottenham interim manager Igor Tudor could stay at the club for a “long time”, according to the club’s sporting director Johan Lange.

The Croatian signed a six-month deal earlier this month to replace Thomas Frank as the club’s new head coach for the remainder of the season.

Tudor’s main objective is to keep the club in the Premier League, with Spurs sitting five points above the relegation zone with 12 matches remaining.

Sources told BBC Sport before Tudor’s appointment that the club were seeking a short-term appointment so they could re-assess their options in the summer, when the availability of potential managers is likely to be greater.

“Of course if things go well, he could be here for a long time,” said Lange.

“We interviewed a few [interim] candidates and Igor impressed us very, very much in the interview.

“If you come in here on the Monday and you are playing at the weekend, you need to build relationships with the players immediately.

“You need to come in to build relationships but of course assess the style of the club immediately. He has shown that with great success, not only once but a few times, to come into that.

‘There were very few players available’

Lange, who joined Spurs from Aston Villa in 2023, has come in for criticism for the club’s lack of transfer activity in the winter window.

Spurs signed England midfielder Conor Gallagher and Brazilian defender Souza for a combined £38m last month but the arrivals were offset by Brennan Johnson’s £35m move to Crystal Palace.

Lange, though, has defended the club’s business and says the culmination of the Champions League group phase in late January impacted the availability of potential signings.

“It meant that in January, very few players who could make a difference for us now or in the future were available and then it’s back to the point even though the squad is too short we still have players we are unable to register for the last 16,” said Lange.

Tudor ‘100% convinced’ Spurs will stay up

Sunday’s north London derby against Arsenal will mark Tudor’s first game in charge.

The former Juventus manager took first team training for the first time on Monday, and his squad have had 12 days to prepare for Sunday’s match given they were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third-round.

Tudor has a history of making immediate impacts at clubs and the former Croatia international is adamant he can keep Spurs in the Premier League.

Asked how confident he was Tottenham would still be in the Premier League next season, Tudor replied “100%”.

“I’m not here to enjoy it, I’m here to work,” said the 47-year-old.

“Enjoy is the first moment, and then there’s work to do. It’s a fantastic club. I am very focused to do the right things.

“It is not about systems. It is important to become a team, a group, who will look after each other. For me this is basic.

“After that the quality can come out and, for me, this is a team with quality, with legs that can run. There is potential.”

Despite coming fourth in the league phase of the Champions League to jump straight into the last 16, Tottenham have struggled in the Premier League.

Since November they have only won two of 17 league matches, with six draws and nine defeats. Their last league victory was a 1-0 success at Crystal Palace on 28 December and they have collected only four out of a possible 24 points in 2026.

Spurs, who finished 17th last season, have been in the top flight of English football in every campaign since one year in the old Second Division in 1977-78.

But they head into Sunday’s match against arch rivals Arsenal with an injury crisis.

“It’s a very rare situation,” added Tudor. “We have 10 injuries, we trained with 13 players.

More on this story

PDP, NNPP, ADC Missing As INEC Conducts Kano Bye-Election Amid Controversy

Three major opposition political parties are absent from the ballot in Saturday’s bye-election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano State.

The affected parties are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and a coalition involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

INEC has, however, declared its readiness to conduct what it described as a free, fair, and credible by-election in the Municipal and Ungogo state constituencies.

The off-season poll is being held to fill two vacant seats in the Kano State House of Assembly following the deaths of the former lawmakers last year.

At a recent media briefing, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kano, Abdul Zango, assured journalists that all political parties were participating in the exercise.

READ ALSO: Gov Fubara Urges Full Participation In Rivers By-Election

“All political parties were given equal opportunity to nominate candidates. The commission is fully prepared to conduct a transparent and credible election,” Zango had said.

However, the final list of candidates released by the commission showed that only nine political parties were cleared to contest, excluding the PDP, NNPP, and ADC.

According to INEC, the parties participating in the by-election include Accord (A), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Action Peoples Party (APP), African Action Congress (AAC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

While the commission has yet to publicly explain the absence of the major opposition parties, the affected parties have accused INEC of deliberately denying them the opportunity to exercise their constitutional rights.

The NNPP, which is factionalised into three groups in Kano, reportedly submitted six different candidates for the two constituencies.

Reacting to the development, the Boniface-led faction of the NNPP, through Senator Mushud El-Jibril Doguwa, accused INEC of unjustly disqualifying its candidates.

“We duly submitted our candidates for the Municipal and Ungogo constituencies, but INEC refused to recognise our party for reasons best known to them,” Doguwa said.

He added, “This is a clear attempt to sideline us from the democratic process. We will not accept it. We are already consulting our lawyers and will institute legal action against INEC.”

Efforts to reach the Kwankwasiyya and Abdullahi Abiya-led factions of the NNPP were unsuccessful, as both chairmen could not be reached on the phone as of press time.

On his part, the Kano State Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Yusuf Kibiya, also accused the electoral body of violating provisions of the Electoral Act.

“We were ready and willing to participate in this by-election,” Kibiya said. “However, INEC only gave us four days to conduct our primaries and submit the names of candidates. That is not sufficient time, and it undermines the spirit of the law.”

Police Arrest 13 Suspects Over Violent Attacks During Ondo APC Ward Congress

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested 13 suspects in connection with a recent violent attack in Idanre town.

The spokesman of the Ondo State Police Command, Abayomi Jimoh, said the attack, which happened on February 18, led to the death of two persons.

Jimoh stated that three other victims sustained injuries, while several properties were destroyed during the ward Congress of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) in the town.

“Acting on credible intelligence and sustained surveillance, operatives of the Idanre Division executed coordinated operations at strategic locations, culminating in the arrest of the following suspects: Adewusi, Dele, Akinkurole, Victor, Abbas, Michael, Jolojolo, Ifedayo, Olamilekan, Emmanuel, Sunday, Michael, and Monday.”

READ ALSO: Two Killed, Three Injured During Ondo APC Ward Congress — Police

He said that the arrests followed a carefully coordinated, intelligence-led operation ordered by the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal.

According to him, the suspects have made useful statements that are aiding ongoing investigations.

Meanwhile, Lawal reiterated the Command’s firm resolve to ensure that all those involved in the heinous act are brought to justice.

The commissioner urged the residents of Idanre and the entire people of Ondo State to remain calm and law-abiding, providing useful and timely information that can aid ongoing investigations and enhance collective security efforts.

Meanwhile, Kidnappers have abducted a couple in Ilu-Abo, a community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The incident happened on Friday when the man named Jamiu Olawale and his wife, who had just returned from their shop, were attacked in front of their residence by some gunmen who emerged from the nearby bush.

Polish skater has facial surgery after short track crash

Emma Smith

BBC Sport journalist in Milan

43 minutes ago

Polish short track speed skater Kamila Sellier has undergone surgery after she was struck in the face by a blade in a serious crash at Milan-Cortina 2026.

Sellier was racing in the quarter-finals of the women’s 1500m on the final night of short track competition at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.

She was brought down along with 14-time Olympic medallist Arianna Fontana of Italy and American Kristen Santos-Griswold, who was penalised for attempting an illegal pass that contributed to the crash.

As Santos-Griswold fell, her skate caught Sellier and sliced her under her left eye.

Polish officials said Sellier received stitches at the arena before being taken to hospital for surgery.

A spokesperson for the Polish team told BBC Sport on Saturday morning: “Kamila had surgery last night. She’s in good condition. We’re waiting for further tests today, to check her eye for any signs of damage.”

Fontana’s skinsuit was nicked and she received some help from her physiotherapist on her left hip during the pause. She progressed through to the final but finished fifth, missing out on a third medal of her home Games.

Winter Olympics 2026

6-22 February

Watch on iPlayerListen on Sounds

Full coverage guide

Saka urges Arsenal to ‘get over the line’

On February 7, Arsenal players walked off the field after a convincing 3-0 home win against Sunderland with their lead in the Premier League at nine points. Then things started to go wrong.

Defiant Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka is adamant his side will eventually “get over the line” and end their trophy drought.

After allowing City to overhaul them in the 2023 and 2024 title races, the north Londoners, who have not won silverware since the 2020 FA Cup, face pointed questions about their ability to handle the mounting tension.

Saka said Arsenal must silence the doubters by getting back on track at archrivals Tottenham on Sunday.

“I believe the next few years are going to be the years that we get over the line, and we’re able to win trophies and make history for this club,” Saka said. “We’re back where we belong, fighting for everything.”

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at Molineux on February 18, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) — Saka in action against Wolves at Molineux on February 18 [Carl Recine/Getty Images]

Arteta dismisses ‘bottlers’ talk

Arsenal’s boss rejected the term “bottlers’ ahead of Sunday’s Premier ⁠League visit ⁠to Tottenham Hotspur.

“It’s not part of my ‌vocabulary and I don’t see it like this because I don’t think anybody wants to do that as an intention,” Arteta told reporters on Friday, when asked about the term being used regarding their latest wobble in the title race.

“That’s individual opinion, perspective. You have to ⁠respect that. That’s what I said after ⁠in the press conference. You lose two points against Wolves in the manner that the game played out, you have to take it on the ⁠chin. It’s part of our role.”

“What I’m very interested in is the next one, ⁠what we are made of, what ⁠we love about this and how we write our own destiny from here.”

‘No time to find excuses’

Tottenham Hotspur’s new interim head coach Tudor says instilling the players with confidence is his most urgent task.

“First priority is to give everything the team needs in these moments. The team need, I believe, first of all, to get some confidence, to get some courage, but also, in same way, the concrete things in the pitch,” Tudor told Spursplay.

“Of course, I’m coming here knowing that situation is not easy. There is no time to find excuses. What I said from the first day here, each of us, need to give something more, something extra.”

He added: “The position of the club in this moment is one that nobody can accept. Every Tottenham fan cannot accept the situation. We are aware of that. But it’s not enough to just be aware of that.”

(FILES) Juventus' Croatian coach Igor Tudor looks on ahead of the Italian Serie A football match between Como and Juventus at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium in Como, Italy on October 19, 2025 — The 47-year-old former Juventus coach Igor Tudor has been brought in until the end of the season [File: AFP]

Tudor wants a team prepared to ‘suffer’

While Tudor is aware of the significance of a derby win over Arsenal, he is more concerned with building a strong team spirit to help fuel their survival bid.

“I understand the importance of this game. This is a derby, a north London derby,” he said.

“This is a team that is full of quality, full of talented players, with good motor engines. But my goal in these first training sessions is that we become a team, with a really right way of going to war.

“A team who want to suffer. To fight, to run, to have the right mentality. This is the start.”

Head-to-head

Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have locked horns on 212 occasions; Arsenal won 90 of the games, while Spurs won 67, and 55 were draws.

Arsenal are now unbeaten against Spurs in their last seven games. Earlier this season, Eberechi Eze scored a hat-trick in November as the Gunners thrashed Tottenham 4-1 at the Emirates.

Arteta’s side also did the double over their bitter local rivals in 2024-25, winning 1-0 at Tottenham and earning a 2-1 victory at home.

Tottenham’s team news

Spurs were dealt a big blow when promising young winger Wilson Odobert ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against Newcastle.

He joins a long injury list of players who will miss the derby, including James Maddison, Ben Davies, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Destiny Udogie, Kevin Danso and Lucas Bergvall.

Cristian Romero will serve the second of his four-game suspension after the Spurs captain was sent off in the defeat to Man United earlier this month.

Brazilian forward Richarlison is back in training after a knock and could be available for selection, while Pedro Porro faces a late fitness test as he looks to return from injury.

Predicted starting XI:

Vicario (GK); Palhinha, Dragusin, Van de Ven; Gray, Gallagher, Sarr, Spence; Kolo Muani, Simons; Solanke

Arsenal’s team news

Versatile midfielder Mikel Merino has undergone surgery for a stress fracture in his right foot, an injury sustained in January, and could miss the rest of the season.

Leandro Trossard is a serious doubt for the derby after he went off injured in stoppage time against the Wolves.

But Arteya has said he hopes to have captain Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz available for selection after they were struggling with injuries, and youngster Max Dowman has returned to training after an ankle problem.

And while Saka also limped off against Wolves, he is expected to be declared fit for this match.

Predicted starting XI:

Venezuela grants amnesty to 379 political prisoners

Venezuelan authorities have granted amnesty to 379 political prisoners, according to a lawmaker, after a new law was enacted by interim authorities following the United States’ abduction of President Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuela’s National Assembly unanimously adopted the law on Thursday, providing hope that hundreds of political prisoners may soon be released.

‘Amnesty is not automatic’

The NGO Foro Penal had said before the announcement that about 650 were detained, a toll that has not been updated since.

Foro Penal director Alfredo Romero said on Friday that receiving “amnesty is not automatic”, but would require a process in the courts, viewed by many as an arm of Maduro’s repression.

Opposition politician Juan Pablo Guanipa, a Machado ally, announced his release from detention shortly after the bill was passed.

Earlier this month, he had been freed from prison but then quickly re-detained and kept under house arrest.

“I am now completely free,” Guanipa wrote on social media. He called for all other political prisoners to be freed and exiles to be allowed to return.

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Venezuelans have been jailed in recent years over plots, real or imagined, to overthrow the government of Maduro – who was taken to New York to stand trial on drug trafficking and other charges.

Rodriguez was formerly Maduro’s vice president and took his place as the South American country’s leader with the consent of US President Donald Trump, if she toed Washington’s line.

News