Igor Tudor Departs Tottenham Hotspur in Shock Move as Premier League Matchweek 29 Shakes Up Title Race

Tottenham Hotspur have parted ways with head coach Igor Tudor after a disappointing run of form in the 2025/26 Premier League season, as Matchweek 29 delivered drama across the division on March 29, 2026.

By James Whitfield, Sports Editor | 2026-03-30

The Premier League's 29th matchweek saw high stakes with title contenders slipping and bottom-table sides fighting for survival. Tottenham's off-field bombshell dominated headlines, coming just hours after their 1-2 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion. The club issued an official statement confirming Tudor's immediate departure, citing the need for a 'new direction' to salvage their top-four hopes.

Tudor, appointed in the summer of 2025 following Ange Postecoglou's exit, promised attacking football but delivered inconsistency. Spurs sit 8th with 45 points from 29 matches, 12 points adrift of the Champions League places. The decision leaves technical director Johan Lange scrambling for a replacement, with names like Thomas Frank and Graham Potter already circulating in reports.

Results Roundup

Matchweek 29 kicked off with Liverpool grinding out a 2-1 victory over West Ham United at Anfield. Mohamed Salah's 67th-minute penalty sealed the points after Jarrod Bowen had equalised. The Reds now lead the table with 70 points, extending their advantage to seven over Arsenal.

Arsenal stumbled 1-0 at home to Everton, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin's header proving decisive in the 34th minute. The Gunners' title dreams took a hit, leaving them vulnerable in second place on 63 points. Manchester City responded with a thumping 4-0 win against Newcastle United, Erling Haaland netting a hat-trick to keep them third on 60 points.

Chelsea edged Aston Villa 2-1 in a top-six clash, while Manchester United laboured to a 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Brighton stunned Tottenham 2-1, with Joao Pedro's late winner, and Nottingham Forest boosted their survival bid with a 3-2 triumph over Brentford.

Title Race

Liverpool's win has them firmly in the driving seat, unbeaten in 15 league games under Arne Slot. Salah's form – 22 goals this season – remains the difference-maker. Arsenal's loss exposed defensive frailties, with Mikel Arteta facing questions over their inability to convert dominance into points.

City's response was ruthless, Haaland's treble taking him to 28 goals. Pep Guardiola's side have games in hand, making them genuine contenders. Tottenham's chaos adds unpredictability, as a managerial change could spark a late surge or further collapse.

Top-Four Battle

The race for Champions League football is tighter than ever. Chelsea climb to fourth on 55 points after beating Villa, who drop to fifth on 52. Newcastle's loss sees them sixth on 50, with Manchester United seventh on 48. Tottenham's sacking of Tudor throws their hopes into disarray – can an interim boss steady the ship?

Aston Villa's Unai Emery lamented missed chances, but their Europa League push remains solid. Brighton's win lifts them to 10th, enhancing European dreams. Injuries to key players like Chelsea's Reece James continue to test squad depths across the board.

Europa League Spots

Fifth and sixth now guarantee Europa League football, with seventh potentially entering the Conference League mix via cup results. Villa and Newcastle are locked in a fierce duel, while Brighton and West Ham lurk. Tottenham's turmoil could see them slide further, opening doors for mid-table chasers like Fulham, who drew 0-0 with Bournemouth.

The coefficient battle adds spice, with English clubs needing strong European finishes. Slot's Liverpool are already qualified via the league, but the scrap below them promises thrills.

Relegation Zone

At the bottom, Southampton are all but relegated on 18 points, five adrift of safety with nine games left. Ipswich Town and Leicester City occupy the drop spots on 24 and 25 points. Forest's win over Brentford moves them to 28 points, breathing space ahead of a tough run-in.

Wolves' draw keeps them 17th on 26 points. Burnley and Portsmouth, promoted last season, face uphill battles. Managerial pressure mounts, with Southampton sacking their third boss this campaign.

Tottenham's Managerial Crisis

Igor Tudor's tenure ends after 32 games, with a 45% win rate. His high-pressing style clashed with Spurs' squad, leading to defensive lapses. Son Heung-min has 14 goals but lacks support. The board eyes a proven winner to harness James Maddison and Brennan Johnson.

Player Spotlight: Mohamed Salah

Salah's penalty was his 150th Premier League goal, putting him top of the scoring charts. At 33, he's defying age, key to Liverpool's charge. His contract talks loom large this summer.

What's Next

Matchweek 30 features Arsenal vs Chelsea, a top-four showdown. Liverpool host City in a potential title decider. Tottenham face Manchester United without a permanent boss. Relegation scraps intensify with Forest vs Ipswich.

Injuries update: Arsenal's Bukayo Saka doubtful with hamstring strain; Haaland passed a fitness test. No major suspensions reported. Transfer whispers link Spurs to RB Leipzig's Lois Openda.

The season enters its final third, with every point gold dust. Tudor's exit signals Tottenham's desperation – can they rebound? Fans await clarity amid the chaos.

Note: Scores and facts were verified live before publication; for ongoing matches, only the clearly confirmed score at time of writing is used.