Igor Tudor recorded his first win in charge of Tottenham as the club beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 in the Champions League but he has been criticised for his behaviour after the match
Former Tottenham midfielder Andy Reid has slammed Igor Tudor for marching straight down the tunnel instead of clapping the fans after Wednesday's 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid. Tudor secured his first win as the club's interim head coach, but it was not enough on the night as Spurs still crashed out of the Champions League.
Despite their victory on Wednesday, it was the Spaniards who went through 7-5 on aggregate across the two-legged tie to set up a quarter-final clash with league rivals Barcelona. However, the win represented a rare positive outing for Spurs and felt like a crucial shift for Tudor, who had made a dismal start to life in north London but is now unbeaten in his last two.
However, Tudor chose not to acknowledge the Tottenham faithful on the pitch following the game, instead heading straight down the tunnel to reach the dressing room before the rest of his squad.
Former Spurs ace Reid was not impressed with the manager and admitted he would have liked to see the Croatian show appreciation to the supporters after an improved display and the fans creating a louder atmosphere.
"I thought it was a bit unnecessary from Tudor [to walk straight through the tunnel]," Reid told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He hasn't had great success yet so you pick up a win tonight, let's get the fans on board and give them a clap so when they turn up here on Sunday they are behind the team.
"He's lost from a tie and is out of the Champions League but he needs to take any positivity he can get. If you look at what Atletico Madrid did, they knew they had the advantage so didn't really go after the game which gave Tottenham the opportunity to get something.
"It will be completely different on Sunday, two teams that are really struggling to find form."
Tudor was brought in as Thomas Frank's successor last month and had suffered defeat in each of his opening four matches in charge against Arsenal, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Atletico. But Tudor, who had faced mounting pressure following the Champions League Round of 16 first leg loss in Madrid last Tuesday, managed to get a response from his players for the trip to Liverpool on Sunday, and was able to secure his side a 1-1 draw.
The display at Anfield was significantly better, and Tottenham were able to carry that momentum into the second leg against Atletico. Spurs took the lead on the night through Randal Kolo Muani but were pegged back just after half-time as former Manchester City man Julian Alvarez fired home from the edge of the box.
Xavi Simons put Tottenham back in front with a superb strike, before Atletico responded once more with David Hancko equalising for a second time. Spurs did, however, find a way to win as Simons added his second of the night from the penalty spot, even if it didn't matter to the overall outcome with Atletico progressing.
"It's nice, the sensation, the feelings are mixed," Tudor said after the match. "We're out but one very good team on the pitch, one very good performance of the players and energy. It was really nice that the fans recognised that the team did everything they could do. They were with us from the start and I thank them for that."
Tudor and Tottenham's next challenge is a crucial Premier League match against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Spurs currently sit 16th in the table, just one place and one point above 17th-place Forest.