Igor Tudor has given his first press conference since his appointment as head coach of Lazio earlier in the week, revealing that he is pleased with the work ethic he has observed during his first few days in charge of the Biancocelesti.
Lazio officially appointed Tudor on Monday, following the resignation of former Napoli, Juventus and Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri the week prior.
Tudor’s first impressions at Lazio
“Lazio is an important team, that’s a given. It’s Lazio,” Tudor began his presentation, reported via TMW.
“Looking from the outside in, I already had the impression that the coach was going to be important for the project. I don’t want to talk about individuals, I prefer to evaluate everybody myself first.
“I pick based on what I see on the pitch. In the gym, there is a message on the walls that represents me well: It’s the desire that exists in preparing for victory that leads to winning matches.
When asked if he sees himself as a tough character in the dressing room, Tudor replied: “No. it’s a bad description. You have to be everything, show the carrot and the stick. In four days here, I’ve never had to raise my voice.
“In Italy there is a great working culture. I have worked in many countries, but none like here. It’s normal that the players need to be motivated. The training sessions are demanding.
“The length of the contract doesn’t matter to me. If I don’t work well, I could go home tomorrow. I live in the present and for my work. If I do well I stay, otherwise I move on.
“Everything matters, long-term planning makes no sense. I believe in work, we want to start strong straight away. It won’t all come easily straight away, but that doesn’t mean that we’ll have to wait a long time either.
“A good run of fixtures awaits us now, just the way I like it. In the end, the players are the ones who make the difference. I see a strong team that has a bit of everything, we can do well.”
How will Lazio look under Tudor
In his first days at Lazio’s training ground, Tudor has reportedly been experimenting with a new system, with suggestions that the Biancocelesti could switch to a back three. Tudor was also asked if he is tempted to deploy two strikers in attack.
“I have a lot of respect for Maurizio Sarri, he made history with his football, which is why I prefer not to comment on the past. Two attackers may be an option. Each coach must adapt to the strengths of the group he has available.
“We’ll see (how Lazio look) during the run-in, I have to evaluate. Clearly, a coach picks a player based on his own way of playing. We will be careful and try to make our evaluations quickly, then perhaps adjust in the summer. But the priorities for the next few months are the points in the league and the cup.”
Immobile, Guendouzi and Kamada
Tudor also fielded questions on a number of specific players from his Lazio squad, including captain Ciro Immobile, the in-form Matteo Guendouzi and summer signing Daichi Kamada.
On the skipper, Tudor said: “Everybody from Lazio loves Ciro, he is a good-hearted lad, he wants to contribute. I like attacking football, but there must always be balance.”
On his relationship with Guendouzi, who Tudor worked with at Marseille prior to being shipped out on loan at the start of the season, the coach said: “I don’t read the newspapers. I have an excellent relationship with Matteo, he’s gritty, he always wants to play.
“Every now and then something happens on the pitch, nothing more, nothing less. I’m happy to see him again. He has important experience, we will work well together.”
When asked if Kamada could be introduced as a regular in the starting line-up, Tudor replied: “We’re not talking about playing form, but about style.”
🎙️ Tudor: “Stimo tanto Maurizio Sarri, ha fatto la storia con il suo calcio, anche per questo preferisco non commentare il passato. Le due punte possono essere un’opzione. Ogni allenatore deve adattarsi alle caratteristiche del gruppo che ha a disposizione” pic.twitter.com/8yM3LlCpGt
— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) March 23, 2024