Harry Redknapp shares what Igor Tudor must do with Cristian Romero after Tottenham arrival
Harry Redknapp believes that interim Tottenham boss Igor Tudor must keep Cristian Romero as his captain this season.
Tottenham skipper Romero has repeatedly been in the headlines this season, albeit not for the right reasons.
In Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on 7 February, the Argentine was sent off for a reckless foul on Casemiro.
The 27-year-old received a four-match ban as that was his second dismissal of a season, when Thomas Frank was sacked, and Tottenham sit 16th in the Premier League.
But ex-Tottenham boss Redknapp still thinks Romero’s season can be salvaged, but Tudor will need to show all of his man-management skills to do that.
Cristian Romero told to learn from Tottenham star Archie Gray
In addition to his errors on the pitch, Romero has been quite outspoken off it. After the 2-2 draw with Manchester City, he said it was “disgraceful” that Tottenham could only field 11 fit senior players due to their hefty injury list.
The Argentina international also accused the hierarchy of telling “lies” before editing out that incendiary reference.
While he is still out suspended, Redknapp has urged Tudor to retain Romero as captain, but there needs to be a frank chat about his lack of discipline.
Writing in the print edition of The Sun, he said: “There are still a few players Tudor will need to deal with and none more so than the captain Cristian Romero.
“You cannot take the armband away from him, as much as that would seem an easy fix. Strip Romero of the captaincy, and then you have lost him from day one.
“For the short term, you need him on your side and with you — but there needs to be a frank conversation about his lack of discipline.”
Redknapp also said Romero should learn from 19-year-old Tottenham teammate Archie Gray. He explained how the teenager does a superb job despite being played out of position.
He added: “A fine example for Romero and the rest of the squad to follow is 19-year-old midfielder Archie Gray.
“He was Tottenham’s player of the year for me last season and delivers whenever or wherever you play him. Gray is a future Tottenham captain, and everyone should be looking to him.”
Will Igor Tudor be able to keep Tottenham in the Premier League?
Tudor has been brought in until the end of the season, with Tottenham just five points above the relegation zone heading into the final 12 fixtures.
Tudor has developed a reputation for being something of a firefighter, particularly when he kept Udinese in Serie A back in 2018.
But the fact that he has never been in a role for more than two years suggests this may be a short appointment at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
| Igor Tudor’s top five longest managerial stints | Win percentage |
| Hajduk Split: April 2013-February 2015; 78 games, 35 wins, 21 draws, 22 losses | 44.87 |
| PAOK: June 2015-March 2016; 45 games, 17 wins, 17 draws, 11 losses | 37.78 |
| Galatasaray: February 2017-December 2017; 34 games, 19 wins, four draws, 11 losses | 55.88 |
| Hellas Verona: September 2021-May 2022; 36 games, 14 wins, 11 draws, 11 losses | 38.89 |
| Marseille: July 2022-June 2023; 48 games, 27 wins, eight draws, 13 losses | 56.25 |
With the players at their disposal, Tottenham should be able to stave off relegation to the Championship, but they have won just two of their last 17 league games.
And Tudor’s first match is against league leaders Arsenal on 22 February – hardly an easy fixture. If Spurs do stay up, he will need players like Romero and Gray to be in top form.
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