Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Wed 11 March 2026 20:00, UK

Igor Tudor handed Richarlison a start for Tottenham Hotspur for the first time on Tuesday night.

Spurs’ 5-2 defeat away to Atletico Madrid certainly caused uproar, and for reasons far beyond the result itself.

Tudor’s deicison to start, and then hook Antonin Kinsky, has been talked about plenty, while several other talking points have emerged from what was a staggeringly shocking defeat.

Richarlison, who has been linked with an exit from Tottenham, was one of them, and he will not be a fan of the latest update on the future of Tudor.

Igor Tudor sack decision confirmed after Champions League defeat

Tudor is the first manager in Tottenham’s history to have lost all four of their opening encounters, showcasing just how poor they have been.

However, that lack of form and increased likelihood of relegation is still seemingly not enough to persuade Spurs into sacking him, after it was reported that Tudor is due to hold a press conference ahead of their trip to Anfield this weekend.

For what it’s worth, a defeat there could see them drop into the bottom three.

However, while the decision to afford Tudor another game is baffling enough, it could also spell trouble for Richarlison, who has started just one of the four games he has been in charge of.

He has, coincidentally, registered a goal and an assist in those four games, with the Brazilian leading the way for goals by some margin this season.

But given his recent treatment of him, it would not be a surprise at all to see Tudor drop Richarlison yet again this weekend.

Richarlison exit feels nailed on this summer

Desopite the importance he has showcased with eight goals and three assists in the Premier League this season, Richarlison has still only started 13 of the 24 games he has made an appearance in.

Only two of them have been in 2026, despite the distinct lack of threat posed by his other attacking teammates.

If his worth isnt being recognised now, it’s highly unlikely he will want to stick around for another season, and even more so if Tottenham suffer relegation.

Which, with nine games left to play, is looking alarmingly likely.