Igor Tudor set the tone but he’ll need more than charisma to save Tottenham | Football

I’ve been thinking a lot about charisma this week, after Igor Tudor’s first interview as Tottenham boss. He said all the right things but that’s not why the reception from Spurs supporters has been so positive.

Tudor is an emergency manager. Appointed to restore morale, patch together a thin squad and keep Tottenham in the Premier League. A humiliating sentence for a Spurs fan to write but here we are.

On the evidence, the Croatian does a good line in rescue jobs. Sure, getting Juventus and Lazio the European finishes they expected feels a little more decorative than saving Spurs from the drop but still.

He’s used to being a short-term appointment but, that said, 11 jobs in 12 years is not much of a recommendation, even in football.

Since few Spurs fans know a huge amount about Tudor’s management style, this gives little to hold onto heading into the final third of the season. But we at Tottenham are desperate for scraps. So the warmth engendered by his first interview was perhaps to be expected.

Given the reception, when I went to watch it I expected to be blown away by his charisma, Pep Guardiola style. That didn’t happen. The way Tudor presented was focused, low-key and tough, with an underlying clarity. Like all charismatic people, he drew the eye, absorbed you into his moment. He came across as certain, but not bullish.

What I realised is this more restrained style is proof of his charisma, rather than a lack of it. In different situations audiences value different styles. A major component of the quality is vocal range.

Charismatic individuals are able to inflect their voices with different tones to fit their environment and this makes them more persuasive. That’s exactly what Tudor was doing: matching his tone to the task.

Simply put, in times of crisis, fearful people want hard men who are busy getting things done. Look at politics around the world if you don’t believe me. Now compare this to Thomas Frank’s demeanour. He was open, affable, honest.

At risk of making imperfect national generalisations, the Danes are the second-happiest nation on Earth. Denmark has a high level of trust in its society, they invented hygge – wellbeing achieved by indulging in rest and cosiness, even in times of struggle.

At Brentford, Frank took time out and had periods away from his phone. These are all good things, and they particularly work in a long-term appointment who is trying to set a new workplace culture. But as this season came crashing down, he was infected by fear, and it affected his ability to match tone to situation.

Short-term impact football management requires charisma. The pinnacle of this is Jose Mourinho. His success was built on using huge charm to sell the deep analysis he produced, to persuade footballers to join his cult of personality.

He’s also a scary example of how great personal charisma can stop you questioning yourself, something which played out this Tuesday in the latest vicious episode of racism towards Vini Jr.

You’re right to think charisma can also sit in tandem with great good looks – welcome to the chat Thierry Henry – but fairly often hotties haven’t had to develop any.

Footballers without charisma are always surprised when they can’t manage. People want to talk to them no matter what. Great fame or talent brings a spotlight that can feel like being in the presence of the quality, but it’s something else entirely.

Tudor has got charisma nailed. The quality is vital in negotiating big characters and bringing the fans with you. Don’t mistake this for a positive column about the future of Tottenham Hotspur, however.

People over-value charisma because anyone can see it, and it’s extremely useful in job interviews. Will it be enough to harness a team with barely 11 fit players? Funnily enough one man’s personal traits aren’t enough for that – just watch Ange Postecoglou on the Overlap.

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