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Ange Postecoglou has come out swinging with a fervent rebuttal to the critical reception he's faced this term as the gaffer at Tottenham.

The seasoned 59 year old tactician marked his tenure as the first Spurs manager in five years to complete an entire season, steering the squad to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League previously. However, the current campaign has proven less smooth, with Tottenham reaching the Europa League quarter-finals and Carabao Cup semi-finals, yet wrestling with inconsistent form in the league amid a spate of injuries within the ranks.

Although emerging as the second most prolific team goal-wise, Tottenham currently occupies the 13th rung in the standings with a concerning tally of 14 losses from 28 matches. The blistering spotlight of the world's premier football competition is inescapable, but Postecoglou stands resolute, undeterred by outside chatter impacting his everyday routine.

"The scrutiny is more because there's more noise but that doesn't mean it needs to affect you. I've said many times it doesn't concern me because I'm not really sure how people perceive this role and particularly me as a person, that they would think I would worry about tomorrow if there's a negative outcome," he declared.

The Australian emphatically aded: "I just don't live my life that way. I don't speak that way, I don't think that way. My whole career, I love what I do, I get up every day, take on the challenge, see what the possibilities are and keep moving. There's a lot of noise and I think there's always two sides to that: one is people doing critical analysis of what I do, others just like the story of a manager being under pressure."

"People get excited about that. Some people really enjoy that process for some bizarre reason. The more they try to push individuals, whether it's me or anyone else, to that position it generates for them whatever satisfaction they get out of it. It doesn't infiltrate my world, mate. Irrespective of what happened last night I still would have gone home and asked my kids how their [school] concert went. My life goes on mate. It's not that overwhelming that I feel the need to block it all out or to react to it. It doesn't bother me."

But when Postecoglou, acclaimed for clinching the Asian Cup with Australia and league titles in both his home country and Japan, and subsequently repeating success in Scotland with Celtic, was quizzed on whether the intense scrutiny he faces is a result of his global coaching pedigree contrasted with a non-European path, the query sparked a spirited and extended response amidst the small gathering of journalists.

"If I say that then people will just say I'm playing the victim card and I don't want to do that, but... 100 per cent there's an element of that. There's no doubt about it," he expressed. "Let me give you an example. It's only a small crew here today so I can share it amongst us. Whatever profession you're in - you're a journalist, a plumber, a policeman, a lawyer, a doctor, you've been doing that job 26, 27 years. Irrespective of whatever you did, do you reckon that person has a pretty good idea of that job?.

"Would you ever question their knowledge of that job? Would you ever question whether every decision he makes, he's thought about it or experienced it before? You might say ok, if you survive 26, 27 years you haven't stuffed up too many times. Whatever you do.

"If you're a plumber, if there's leaks you're not going to get another job. If you're a doctor and people are dying, you're unlikely to kick on. If you're doing it for 26, 27 years he's got a fair idea of what he's doing. Then you might say 'yeah, but maybe he's just a grinder'. But if that person started pretty much on the factory floor of that industry, whatever industry it was, maybe you're a CEO or whatever and he ends up in the position where the top 1 per cent of where his profession gets to, you're gonna say, 'ok this guy must have something'.

"You don't get from factory floor to the top 1 per cent in your field, and I'm talking about the level, not expertise. Then you might say, 'he's out of his depth now' and well ok, but if you've taken a club that finished eighth to fifth in your first full year... when you put all that together and you hear, 'he's out of his depth, he doesn't know what he's doing, he's got no idea, his methods don't work, his philosophy doesn't work' - in any other industry you wouldn't do that.

"You might be critical of his performance but you wouldn't do that. Google my name and get some headlines. Just plaster them on a wall and you'd say 'I don't think that fits somehow', but it does, because that's where we're at."

Indeed, the higher the level of the game, the greater the scrutiny and that's the pay-off for success and progress?

"That's right but there's a difference," Postecoglou asserted. "There's critical analysis of performance at every level and as you get higher there's bigger things at stake, for sure. Forget a football manager, forget me. Would you say 'he's got no idea what he's doing? He's got no plan B, he's stubborn, his methods don't work, he's out of his depth'.

"Where does that come from? From people, some of whom weren't even born when I started managing. I started in 1996/97. You've just got accept that's part of the world I'm in. I accept it but I don't have to react to it. I can just laugh it off because I just think it's ridiculous. It doesn't change me as a person. It doesn't change what I do, what I believe or how I continue to go on - because my career will go on. Everyone realises that. Whatever happens my career will go on. So, yeah that's a long answer isn't it?".

But does the Australian boss still relish his role at the helm, given his past comments about thriving under scrutiny and enjoying moments when his tactics are under fire?

"I love it. I'm not saying that facetiously. I love the fact there's a massive challenge there, people are doubting me. I do love it," declared the Tottenham manager. "I also think some of it is just ridiculous beyond its nature of being anything other than cheap and very shallow. I'm not talking about critical analysis.

"Jeez, I'm going on now. I've got one more story then I'll let you go. You know who the greatest nemesis for any manager is in today's world? He's only come to the surface in the last five, six years, maybe 10 years? Mr Hindsight."

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He remarked: "He's the guy who when the outcomes are there and the result is already done, he has all the answers with the greatest of certainty and he's never wrong. Mr Hindsight will go out there every time and profess to be the oracle of all oracles because he just deals with what's happened after the event. Never before.

"There is such a massive Mr Hindsight. The Killers should do a song about him, I'd definitely buy it. You want to be critical and have really strong opinions about things? State them before the event. Make them really clear and stand by them when they're wrong. I guarantee you they'll be just as wrong as any manager is wrong and probably more often.

"There aren't many of those. There are some who if they don't do it before the event, after the event they will always put a perspective on their analysis, but I see them mate and I hear them. After the event - 'oh, so obvious!' 'oh, how did he get that team selection wrong!'".

He continued: "That's what I'm saying, anyone can deal with an outcome. You don't need to even understand football. 'That team won, that team lost. That coach is better, those players, that system, those selections, they were always going to be better. I could have told you before the game, everything is obvious.'"

The Tottenham manager then expressed his lingering frustration, adding: "What's the point? If it's just results, what's the point of having analysis? Whoever won, you put a column there and everyone writes the same piece there. Whoever lost, a column there, everyone the same piece - these managers are under pressure, these managers are the best. Then flip it the following week because results always go the other way."

He concluded with a hint of regret: "Anyway mate, we should have had this offline. I've said too many things I'm going to regret tomorrow!".

Despite his reservations, Postecoglou's candid remarks seemed to be a therapeutic release, both for himself and for the public's benefit. The Australian is aware that his tenure at Tottenham will ultimately be judged on the team's results and trophies, rather than the obstacles he's encountered along the way; all he's asking for is a bit of respect in the meantime.

This article originally appeared on Football London.

Enzo Maresca has endured a somewhat turbulent relationship with Chelsea fans in recent times. With that in mind, pledging his support towards their rivals Tottenham Hotspur was probably not the best idea. The 45-year-old tactician's focus turns to the UEFA Conference League on Thursday, where Chelsea will look to maintain their 100 per cent winning record when they take on FC Copenhagen. Carrying a 2-1 lead into the second leg at Stamford Bridge, anything other than a win would turn up the heat on Maresca. The beleaguered boss is starting to lose some backing from the fans who chanted his name earlier in the season, and he did himself no favours after revealing he would be supporting Spurs in the Europa League.

If Spurs win tomorrow and Chelsea are also victorious in Europe, the Blues will play the first leg of the quarter-finals against Molde or Legia Warsaw away from home. If not, they will be at home. Maresca was then asked if he would be 'cheering on' their London rivals because of the slight advantage - and the Italian's response might have upset some of their passionate fans, who have a long-held disdain for their capital rivals.

"It's an English team, I hope for England they [Spurs] go through that game," he said on Wednesday. "You never know, sometimes it is better to play at home and sometimes away. We need to be focused on us and then we will see."

One can't fault Maresca for speaking his mind, describing situations for what they are, and his honesty is respected by players and pundits. But his obliviousness to the fierce rivalry that exists between Chelsea's traditional fans and Spurs - something Jose Mourinho and Thomas Tuchel took on board without any reminding - could represent a major error on his part.

It comes only four days after he called for more support to be lended to his players when they were jeered during a drab 1-0 win over Premier League strugglers Leicester City. While the fans groaned and grew frustrated with the number of passes back, Maresca celebrated wildly when Marc Cucurella scored the winning goal and was equally passionate at the final whistle.

Then, he defended his Chelsea stars in bizarre fashion, warning them he would drop them if they didn't follow his instructions on how to play. It seems that it's either his way or sit on the bench, and the likes of Joao Felix and Renato Veiga - who both left in January - are proof in the pudding.

In the same news conference, Maresca was also quizzed on whether he would continue to select Cole Palmer as his penalty taker. Given that the 22-year-old had scored in 12 of his 13 previous attempts, there was no doubting about his talents from the spot. Instead, the ex-Leicester boss sought to take the pressure off Palmer by predicting he will see more penalties saved in the future.

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"Absolutely. I said Cole is going to miss more penalties and the reason why is because he is the one in charge to shoot the penalties. If you don't shoot, you don't miss," he added. "So I don't have any doubts that he is going to miss more penalties in the future, but he is also going to score more penalties. I don't think that the other day affected him in a negative way."

Palmer hasn't scored in eight games, a rarity for such a gifted player, and he might've benefited from an arm around the shoulder instead of some brutal realism from Maresca.

Telling him he's going to miss again certainly isn't the best motivational line ever spoken, and the Chelsea boss would be advised to watch his words if he wants to avoid putting pressure on himself heading into the final stretch of the season.

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario believes that Andoni Iraola has turned Bournemouth into the best 'pressuring' team around. The Cherries boss is rumoured to be on Spurs's managerial shortlist in case they decide to part ways with current manager Ange Postecoglou.

It has been a troubling season for Postecoglou, who has overseen just 10 wins in 28 Premier League matches. Tottenham sit 13th in the table, and their persistent injury problems may be one of the primary factors in club chiefs opting against a managerial change, with Postecoglou being given time to put things right now that his big-name stars are coming back into the fold.

The final weeks of the campaign are crucial for the Aussie as he bids to prove that his Spurs side can be a force when everyone is fit and firing. They host AZ Alkmaar in the second leg of a Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday, having gone down 1-0 in the away fixture.

And there are 10 games remaining in which Tottenham must fight their way towards the top half. If they flounder on both fronts, Postecoglou risks finding himself out of a job in the summer.

The Daily Mail claim that Iraola will be towards the top of their wish list if a vacancy opens up. Bournemouth are currently ninth in the table with an outside chance of qualifying for Europe.

Spurs found out just how good the Cherries are when they visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. Iraola's men took a two-goal lead before responses from Pape Sarr and Son Heung-min rescued a point for the hosts.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Vicario was hugely complimentary about their one major strong point. "On Sunday we faced a team that was very, very committed in pressure," he said. "It was the best team in pressuring and it was a good challenge for us."

Given the calibre of teams Spurs have faced this season, the idea that Iraola has every one of them trumped when it comes to pressuring is a testament to the job he has done down south. And Vicario's comments may get approving nods from the Tottenham chiefs who reportedly have eyes on Iraola as a future boss in north London.

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But the goalkeeper still threw all his weight behind Postecoglou, adding about the Bournemouth game: "We made some mistakes but it was 2-2, and to come back from 2-0 shows the belief we have in ourselves and the manager.

"[Postecoglou's] approach has been very committed since the day he came here. He delivered to us the way to play the game because he truly believes in this and we can be successful this way. We are fully behind him and very committed to doing that. I think we've proved that when we've been 100% in the brain and committed, we've proved what we can do."

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly planning a £33.5m move for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo in the summer. Semenyo's fine form this season has also seen the Ghana star linked with a switch to a host of clubs, including league leaders Liverpool.

One former Reds man has even tipped the 25-year-old to succeed Anfield icon Mohamed Salah, should the Egyptian star leave Merseyside at the end of this season. However, there's now talk that Ange Postecoglou is looking to steal a march over Liverpool boss Arne Slot as he attempts to bolster his attacking options with the Cherries winger. Caught Offside claim Spurs are determined to land the gifted attacker, even if they fail to make Europe next season. Yet Postecoglou's plans could be scuppered by Liverpool if the club take advice from former star Michael Owen.

Speaking earlier in the season, Owen claimed Semenyo was the answer to their problems should they fail to offer Salah a new contract and the forward leaves this summer after eight years at Liverpool. "Semenyo is a brilliant player," Owen told Premier League Productions in January.

"He scores goals - and we don't know if Mohamed Salah will stay or leave but, if he leaves, Semenyo should be his replacement." The right-footer can play on either flank and has bagged nine goals and five assists in all competitions this season.

Spurs are said to view Semenyo as a replacement for Richarlison, who could look to move on to the Saudi Pro League after his £60million switch to Tottenham from Everton in 2022 failed to ignite. Semenyo’s stance on leaving Bournemouth, who look set to finish ahead of Tottenham this season, is believed to be favourable, with the report suggesting the ex-Bristol City man is eager to prove himself at the highest level.

While it appears that funds for the move will not be a stumbling block, should Liverpool turn their attention to Semenyo then the move may become a more complex one to pull off for Spurs. The Reds are enjoying a vintage campaign and their pulling power come the summer is expected to be bolstered should they go on to huge success this year - a vital attribute should they do need to recruit a Salah replacement.

While Liverpool are still facing an exodus of three of their top talents in Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Salah, Slot's side are currently 15 points clear of second placed Arsenal, albeit having played a game more. The Anfield outfit also have a huge week ahead of them with the second leg of their Champions league last-16 clash with PSG on Tuesday and the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle on Sunday.

Tottenham, meanwhile, currently sit in 13th in the Premier League and are out of the domestic cup competitions. The Europa League now represents the club’s last chance of ending their 17-year wait for a major trophy this season, but they will have to overcome AZ Alkmaar in their round of 16 second leg after the Dutch side beat them 1-0 in last week's first leg encounter.

Tottenham have decided against making Timo Werner's move permanent despite having an £8.5million buy option for the summer. The German forward, who initially arrived on loan at Spurs for six months from RB Leipzig in January 2024 before his stint was later extended for another season, has struggled to find form, netting just once in 27 appearances thus far in the campaign.

Coming back from a hamstring injury sustained in the FA Cup third-round win at Tamworth in January, Werner featured in Spurs' 1-0 loss to Manchester City on Wednesday night. Regardless of the season's outcome, it is expected by those close to Werner that he'll return to Leipzig come summer and will be left to consider his next move.

There's a hint of interest from the MLS's New York Red Bulls. However, any potential transfer hinges on Werner's financial demands and whether at 28, he’s ready to end his time in Europe. With manager Ange Postecoglou and the Tottenham board eyeing fresh attacking talent for next season, Werner does not appear to be in their long-term strategy.

This was illustrated last weekend when, despite recovering from injury, Werner was excluded from the squad for the 4-1 triumph against Ipswich Town, underlining the fierce competition for places at the club.

Previously, a lacklustre display by Werner in December's Europa League 1-1 draw with Rangers at Ibrox had been dubbed "unacceptable" by Postecoglou due to the club’s then-injury crisis.

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From that point forward, it seemed highly unlikely that Spurs would exercise their option to sign the forward at the end of the season. Postecoglou has already indicated that he expects Mathys Tel to remain a Tottenham player beyond the summer following his loan move from Bayern Munich.

Spurs have a £45.8m buy option this summer, which could increase to £50m with bonuses. The Frenchman is also versatile, capable of playing both out wide and centrally.

Richarlison's future will be re-evaluated at the end of the season after another challenging year plagued by injuries. The club's midfield may also undergo changes in the transfer market, and there could be new additions to the defence.

This article originally appeared on the Mirror

Former Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson has laid into current chairman Daniel Levy, accusing him of failing to back Ange Postecoglou. The ex-England international was on punditry duty on Wednesday as Spurs lost 1-0 to Manchester City, leaving them 13th in the Premier League table.

Robinson was part of the last Spurs side to taste silverware, playing in the 2008 League Cup final win over Chelsea.

Postecoglou has openly targeted ending that drought this season, but amid an injury crisis within his squad, the Europa League now represents the club’s only chance of a trophy.

Speaking ahead of the City clash, Robinson pulled no punches as he discussed the Australian’s lack of squad resources. And he cited the failed £70million bid for Marc Guehi in January as a prime example of where Levy had let the club down.

“What summed it up for me in January was the bid that they put in for Marc Guehi at the end of the window,” he said to Stadium Astro. “So, if you want a player of that quality who has 18 months left on his deal, you go to Crystal Palace as soon as the window opens.

“You don’t put a bid in; you ask how much they want for him (first), and you either pay it or you don’t. That’s where they’ve fallen down numerous times for me, backing the manager and giving him the players that he needs.”

The ex-England keeper did refer to the club’s well-documented injury issues, but also said their January errors “were nothing new.” He also took aim at Levy’s managerial appointments, claiming he didn’t give his managers the financial backing they needed to secure success.

“So you take it back two or three years,” he said. “This place needs trophies. Spurs fans crave trophies. He goes and gets win-now managers. He goes and gets Antonio Conte, Jose Mourinho, and both of them will say they weren’t backed with win-now players.”

“So now, Ange Postecoglou, they’ve stuck with the manager, they want to see it through with his philosophy and the way that he plays. But does he have the players for that formation?”

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Prior to the win over Manchester United earlier this month, Spurs fans held a demonstration against Levy before kick-off and after the match. That followed reports he was holding talks with a consortium of Qatari investors over a potential sale of the club.

Levy has been in post since 2001, making him the longest-serving chairman in the Premier League. During his tenure, the club have reached a Champions League final and five League Cup finals, including the 2008 triumph.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has been savaged by football finance expert Kevin Maguire despite being told he has the best-run club in the Premier League. Levy is coming under intensifying pressure from Spurs fans with the club lying 13th in the table after last night’s home defeat to Manchester City.

Manager Ange Postecoglou has also come under fire, with the last-16 Europa League tie with AZ Alkmaar now seemingly pivotal to salvage his side’s season.

With the club already out of this season’s FA Cup, failure in Europe will continue the club’s agonising wait for more silverware.

Spurs have not lifted a trophy since 2008 when Juande Ramos presided over a League Cup final win over Chelsea. However, Levy’s tenure has overseen the move from White Hart Lane into the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, widely considered the best venue in the Premier League.

It’s been used for considerably more than football, though, staging NFL games, the 2024 European Cup rugby final, and a string of high-profile concerts. But despite the extra revenue, Levy has been consistently accused of being reluctant to spend money on elite players.

Maguire appeared to embrace that notion when he appeared on Rio Ferdinand Presents, alongside the former England defender and Joel Beya. and he didn’t hesitate to answer when asked who had the best-run club in the Premier League era.

“Spurs,” he replied. “They are the most profitable club in the history of the Premier League by far. The best stadium with the lowest wages compared to the money coming in.”

Ferdinand initially looked surprised by the answer. However, the author of The Price of Football then brutally suggested there was another reason why Spurs were able to balance their books so well.

“As a business, you know if I take off my football hat and put on my business hat, it’s absolutely perfect,” he said. “And also, they don’t have to pay any bonuses for winning trophies…”

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“Oh my gosh, shots have been fired,” said Ferdinand, interrupting his guest. Unsurprisingly, Arsenal fan Beya was delighted by the jibe, shouting: “It’s true, it’s true,” in the background.

Last summer, Postecoglou vowed to win something in his second season in charge, having done so at many of his previous clubs. He did lead his side into the League Cup semi-finals, but after winning the first leg 1-0, they were taken apart 4-0 by Liverpool in the second game.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has reportedly held talks with US billionaires to discuss the sale of the club. But discussions have broken down due to Levy’s high valuation and the fact he wants to remain at Spurs either as an investor or as an executive in charge of sporting decisions.

ENIC International Limited currently owns 86.58 per cent of Tottenham, with the other 13.42 per cent of the club owned by minority investors.

Levy has a 29.88 per cent stake in ENIC, while the Lewis family trust has the remaining 70.6 per cent of the company’s share capital.

According to Bloomberg, US billionaires and private equity funds have expressed an interest in buying up Tottenham shares over the last 18 months. Investors would likely buy a smaller stake before adding to their position with the goal of taking full control.

But talks have continued to break down because of Levy’s two demands, with the 63-year-old potentially keen to negotiate a lucrative contract to oversee decisions that relate to football.

Spurs are clear that they need fresh investment to compete at the highest level, with the club appointing Rothschild to hunt for potential backers.

And although Tottenham have remained tight-lipped about any potential developments, one person familiar with the situation has told the aforementioned outlet that a future role for Levy is not fundamental to any sale discussions.

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Spurs fan group Change for Tottenham organised a “peaceful march against the board” to coincide with the Lilywhites’ Premier League encounter with Manchester United in early February. And it was recently reported that a Qatari consortium is targeting a takeover of the club.

Data firm Football Benchmark has valued the north London giants at £2.75billion, while some US sports franchises are valued at closer to £8bn.

And University of Portsmouth associate professor in sport finance Christina Philippou explained: “There are some big ticks to its name. People pay a lot for clubs that are essentially insolvent whereas Tottenham is a very healthy asset, and it’s in London.”

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Levy spoke out about the future of Tottenham in 2023 but insisted he wanted to remain at the club.

“I’ve got no real interest to leave Tottenham, but I have a duty to consider anything that anyone may want to propose. It’s not about me, it’s about what’s right for the club,” he stated.

He then added: “We run this club as if it’s a public company. If anyone wants to make a serious proposition to the board of Tottenham we would consider it, along with our advisers. And if we felt it was in the interests of the club we would be open to anything.”

Manchester United are reportedly growing frustrated with £72million striker Rasmus Hojlund amid his ongoing goal drought, which is contributing to the club's struggles. Hojlund inherited the No. 9 shirt in the summer after scoring 16 times in his debut season at United but has failed to find the back of the net in his last 16 appearances in all competitions.

According to the Manchester Evening News, his invisible performance in the 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur eight days ago drew particular criticism from coaches.

During Saturday's match against Everton, Hojlund was substituted for 17-year-old Chido Obi, who was making only his second appearance for the club, as the visitors trailed 2-0.

The decision was met with cheers from the away end, which some fans suggest was as much a response to Hojlund's removal as it was to Obi's introduction.

United managed to score twice within 10 minutes of the 22-year-old being taken off, which strengthened the belief that his current form and confidence are detrimental to the side.

The fan reaction contrasts sharply with the boos that greeted Hojlund's substitution during his full debut against Brighton and Hove Albion in September 2023.

Despite the growing concerns, the report adds that United coaching staff continue to support Hojlund during training sessions in a bid to unlock his potential.

Head coach Ruben Amorim notably substituted Hojlund after he lost an aerial duel during last month's 3-1 comeback win against Southampton.

The under-pressure Portuguese tactician has not hidden his frustration with the player - and others - during matches through his animated demeanour.

Despite being given the number nine shirt at the start of the season, Hojlund has only managed to score seven goals, with just two of them coming in the Premier League.

He has failed to score in 27 of the 33 matches he has played in this season - and he isn't the only Red Devils player who has lacked bite.

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United secured Hojlund's services for a hefty £64million, potentially rising to £72m, from Atalanta in July 2023, despite initially stating they wouldn't shell out more than £60m for the Denmark international.

Prior to the transfer, Hojlund switched to the SEG International agency, which also represents former United boss Erik ten Hag.

Despite a decent first season, Hojlund's lacklustre performances and United's current goal difference of -7 suggest a move for a more prolific striker come summer is on the cards.

Since Amorim took the reins in November, Hojlund has only managed to play the full 90 minutes five times, having been substituted on ten occasions.

This article was first published on the Manchester Evening News

It hasn’t been the start to 2025 Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy would’ve hoped for.

Spurs are languishing down in the bottom half of the table, with protests surrounding his ownership beginning to grow.

But Levy and Tottenham’s latest request has done little to quell the tension.

Tottenham have reportedly issued a plea to Premier League broadcasters asking them not to refer to the club as ‘Tottenham’.

It comes after a subtle change was spotted by eagle-eyed viewers during Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Manchester United.

Ange Postecoglou was instead referred to as ‘Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach by Sky Sports - a departure from ‘Tottenham Head Coach’ which was used by the same broadcaster earlier this year.

According to The Athletic, this was part of a deliberate ploy as per the request of Spurs, who emailed the Premier League’s broadcast partners to issue a naming update.

It’s believed to have read: “Tottenham Hotspur have provided clarification regarding the club’s name. They have requested that the club are primarily known as Tottenham Hotspur, with Spurs being the preferred short version. The club have requested that they are not referred to as Tottenham.”

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The briefing was sent out to broadcasters across the world, not just in England, with different outlets having also altered their graphics in response.

Spurs’ reasoning for the change? Tottenham is the name of the area, not the football team.

This policy isn’t new, with documents dating back to 2011 detailing how Spurs have previously asked not to be called just ‘Tottenham’.

But the recent push to ensure this policy is adhered to comes on the back of a brand remastering which took place at Tottenham back in November 2024.

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In the club’s brand playbook, a section on how to reference the club read: “In a world full of Uniteds, Citys and Rovers, there is only one Hotspur, Tottenham Hotspur. When referring to the team or the brand, please use ‘Tottenham Hotspur’, ‘Tottenham Hotspur Football Club’ or ‘THFC’. Never refer to our Club as ‘Tottenham’, ‘Tottenham Hotspur FC’ or ‘TH’.”

It’s no doubt a kick in the teeth to the loyal Tottenham fans, particularly those who have grown up and supported the club from that area, to hear the hierarchy wants to strip the team of its long-standing identity.

After all, they are supposed to be Super Tottenham from the Lane, right?