“It’s Not Allan, It’s Arne” – Tudor Clarifies Viral Incident

Clarification from Tottenham’s Interim Coach

Tottenham’s acting head coach, Igor Tudor, addressed a widely shared moment where it appeared that he accidentally embraced someone, mistaking them for Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot. The incident took place during their Premier League match at Anfield last Sunday, where Tudor seemed to confuse Tottenham’s player liaison officer, Allan Dixon, for Slot before the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Viral Moment

The footage from the match quickly circulated on social media, prompting humorous reactions aimed at Tudor. However, he emphasized that there was no actual mistake on his part. As he prepared for their upcoming home game against Nottingham Forest, Tudor expressed that he was fully aware of who he was interacting with.

Frequent Interactions with Dixon

Tudor remarked on his regular dealings with Dixon, who is also the brother-in-law of former Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy. In a light-hearted remark, he mentioned hugging Dixon again after their recent 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid, underscoring their camaraderie.

“I’m expected to not recognize someone I spend ten hours a day with? It’s a bit absurd,” said Tudor during a press brief. He further elaborated, “Now, after the incident, I jokingly will call him ‘Arne.’ It’s not Allan, it’s Arne!”

Family’s Reaction

Tudor later revealed that his family informed him of the viral moment, indicating that they too thought he had made a mistake in identifying Dixon. He recounted a conversation with his son, saying, “My 20-year-old son told me everyone in Croatia is laughing because of my blunder. I asked him, ‘What mistake?’ and clarified it was Allan Dixon, who I work with daily.”

In closing, he added, “When I approached him for a joke, I came from one side, touched him, and then moved to the other. When he turned, I was amused; I understood how it might seem funny, especially in Croatia where they might not know who Allan Dixon is.”