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Ange Postecoglou sends message to Mauricio Pochettino after ex-Spurs boss vowed to return

Under-pressure Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has insisted he doesn't feel threatened by much-loved ex-boss Mauricio Pochettino saying he wants to return to the club one day

Ange Postecoglou insists Mauricio Pochettino is welcome to come back to Tottenham. Under-pressure Postecoglou says he “did not feel disrespected” by Pochettino saying that he wants to return to Spurs in the future.

United States boss Pochettino, who led the club to a Champions League final in 2019, told Mirror Football that “in the bottom of his heart” he wants to return and “one day win with Tottenham.” Pochettino remains a firm favourite with Tottenham fans and his comments did not go down well in all quarters of the club and they could be seen as turning up the heat on Postecoglou whose long term future is in major doubt.

Tottenham have lost 15 games in the Premier League this season which is more than half their 29 games played and they are clinging to the Europa League as their last remaining hope of silverware.

Spurs boss Postecoglou, whose side go to bitter rivals Chelsea on Thursday night, said: “Mauricio, if he wants to come back one day, I hope it happens for him. We all have dreams and aspirations, if that’s what he wants.

“You’re suggesting that he’s trying to put pressure on me? Well, I don’t feel disrespected. I think if you ask Mauricio that question directly, you’d get a pretty clear answer as to what his intent was.

“Again, nothing from me to sort of be consumed with. I’m more focused on trying to make sure we win tomorrow night.”

Postecoglou is under mounting pressure at Tottenham with Pochettino getting heavily linked as well Fulham boss Marco Silva and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, who is another potential target.

Postecoglou has been forced to defend his methods repeatedly this season with mounting dissent coming from the stands. He remains utterly committed to his playing style and still believes he can turn things around after Spurs’ injury woes eased.

“There’s no doubt there’s probably a large portion of Tottenham fans who have lost a bit of faith and belief in what we’re doing,” he admitted. “They were encouraged by what they saw last year but that certainly hasn’t manifested itself this year.

“I still am really optimistic and bullish about the squad we’ve got. I think there will be enormous growth in them once we can navigate through this. Surviving tough times can be such a strong uniter of people.”

Spurs head to Stamford Bridge on Thursday sitting 14th in the Premier League, a whopping 15 points adrift of Chelsea. Dreams of a top-four finish are long gone, with their hopes of European qualification resting solely on the Europa League, where they face Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of the quarter finals on April 10.

Tottenham are not expecting to spend big on new players in the upcoming transfer window, with club chairman Daniel Levy firing a warning to fans after the release of their latest financial results

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has hit back at criticism of the club's transfer business, insisting they simply "cannot spend what we do not have". Spurs were ranked as the ninth-highest revenue generating club in world football by the 2025 Deloitte Money League.

However, they had the lowest wages to revenue rating of the top 20 clubs which has led to repeated calls from fans and pundits for Tottenham to be more active in the transfer market.

Levy, though, has touted that fact that Spurs have spent "invested over £700 million net" in players since opening the new stadium in 2019.

He also emphasised the fact that they need to ensure their spending remains "sustainable in the long term" after what has been a "highly challenging season on the pitch".

Tottenham currently sit 14th in the Premier League, but remain in with a chance of winning the Europa League. After the club released their latest financial results, Levy addressed criticism of their transfer strategy.

"As we announce our financial results for the year to 30 June 2024, we currently find ourselves in 14th position in the Premier League, navigating what has been a highly challenging season on the pitch," Levy said.

"We are, however, in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League. Winning this competition would see welcome silverware and mean qualification for the UEFA Champions League.

"We must do everything we can to support the team in these final key stages. Since opening our new stadium in April 2019, we have invested over £700 million net in player acquisitions.

"Recruitment remains a key focus, and we must ensure that we make smart purchases within our financial means. I often read calls for us to spend more, given that we are ranked as the ninth richest club in the world.

"However, a closer examination of today's financial figures reveals that such spending must be sustainable in the long term and within our operating revenues. Our capacity to generate recurring revenues determines our spending power.

"We cannot spend what we do not have, and we will not compromise the financial stability of this club – indeed, our off-pitch revenues have significantly supplemented the lower football revenues this year, testament to our diversified income strategy.

"I want to thank everyone who supports us through good times and bad. We are resilient and passionate about our Club. We shall aim to finish this season as strongly as we can and continue to build for success on the pitch."

Tottenham remain 14th in the Premier League during what chairman Daniel Levy described as a "highly challenging" campaign but Europa League offers Ange Postecoglou a huge opportunity

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is calling on Ange Postecoglou to deliver silverware at the end of a "highly challenging" season.

In an address accompanying the club's most recent financial accounts Levy conceded that the first team's results have been below expectations - while separately underlying the cost of missing out on Europe.

Spurs, who return to action with a meeting against Chelsea on Wednesday, are 14th in the Premier League and reliant upon going all the way in the Europa League to ensure they are in UEFA competition next season.

Levy said: "As we announce our financial results for the year to 30 June 2024, we currently find ourselves in 14th position in the Premier League, navigating what has been a highly challenging season on the pitch.

"We are, however, in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League. Winning this competition would see welcome silverware and mean qualification for the UEFA Champions League. We must do everything we can to support the team in these final key stages."

And the club's accounts show how valuable being in Europe is. Spurs missed out on being involved last season having earned £56.2m for reaching the Champions League round of 16 a campaign prior - not including additional matchday revenue.

The club said: "UEFA prize money was £1.3m (2023: £56.2m) reflecting the difference between not participating in European competition in the current year and reaching the Champions League Round of 16 in the prior year. The prize money in the period is a final account payment relating to the prior season’s competition."

Matchday receipts also fell by £11.8m on account of nine fewer home games, although the club continues to make the most of its stadium with Beyonce among those set to perform lucrative gigs there this summer. Last year's commercial revenues rose to £255.2m, up from £227.7m 12 months earlier.

But Levy did urge a familiar note of caution around recruitment, adding: "We must ensure that we make smart purchases within our financial means. I often read calls for us to spend more, given that we are ranked as the ninth richest club in the world.

"However, a closer examination of today’s financial figures reveals that such spending must be sustainable in the long term and within our operating revenues."

Djed Spence has been one of Tottenham's best players in a difficult season and his impressive displays led to speculation he could earn an England call-up, before being snubbed by Thomas Tuchel

Tottenham defender Djed Spence has been urged to switch allegiances from England to Kenya after being snubbed by Thomas Tuchel in his latest squad selection. Spence has been one of Tottenham's standout stars in a tough season for the North London outfit after forcing his way into Ange Postecoglou's starting XI.

The full-back had previously been frozen out of the squad by the Australian but convinced him to give him another chance after a huge string of injuries and he is now a first-choice defender on the teamsheet.

His performances led to suggestions he could be picked by Tuchel for games against Albania and Latvia, but was omitted.

However, he told told former Three Lions star Rio Ferdinand he was still intent on playing for England in the future and vowed to keep working hard for a place.

Former Kenya player Taiwo Atieno, though, feels Spence should consider playing for the Harambee Stars, who are currently managed by ex-Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy.

He said Spence would become a major star in Africa if he changed his international allegiance and insisted he was not valued in the England set-up.

"I was watching the Rio Ferdinand YouTube interview with Djed Spence, where he mentioned playing for England," he told Flashscore.

"I’ve followed Djed’s football journey for the past four years now - I came across him because he’s a fellow South Londoner, and he has dual Kenyan heritage. But as someone who once walked the same path of dual heritage in South London, I believe now is the right time to offer a different perspective - one shaped by experience.

“Unlike England, where the depth of talent, especially at wingbacks, often keeps even Premier League regulars on the fringes, Kenya offers Djed a chance to become a central figure - not just on the pitch, but in shaping the future of Kenyan football. With Kenya’s ambition to qualify for its first-ever FIFA World Cup, Djed could lead a golden generation and write a powerful new chapter in Kenyan and African football history.

"In England, Djed may be a name on a long list. New young players in England pop up every other month. In Kenya, he has the potential to become a national icon - someone, who opens doors for others and inspires millions across the continent.”

"My point is Djed should consider Kenya because he could write a story into the history books that hasn’t been written yet and leave a football legacy, during a post-career that is nearly impossible to obtain in England."

Spurs signed Spence from Middlesbrough for around £20m in 2022 and he has gone on to play 30 games for the club, after loans at Rennes, Leeds and Genoa in the last two seasons.

Jack Grealish's minimal role for Manchester City this season could lead to a move away from the Citizens for the £100million man as one club could prove attractive thanks to one player in particular

Jack Grealish's WhatsApp group with James Maddison could be brought out of the archives after Tottenham Hotspur were linked with signing the Manchester City star. The 29-year-old has been a bit-part player for the Premier League champions this season, achieving a mere 605 minutes of action in what has been a disastrous defence of their league crown.

The likes of Savinho, Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, and Bernardo Silva have been preferred by Pep Guardiola in the wide positions leaving Grealish out in the cold. The legendary boss may have been subject to a dig by the England star after their 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth on Sunday.

Despite being a regular starter in City's FA Cup campaign, Grealish was relegated to the bench but came on in the 69th minute in Foden's place in what was his first appearance since a brief cameo against Spurs on February 27.

Following the game, the winger took to Instagram and perhaps aimed a jibe at his lack of action on the pitch when posting: "Was nice to finally be back out there. Away support was incredible… Wembley next."

Despite a trophy-laden career in Manchester which has seen Grealish claim three league titles and a UEFA Champions League, he requires consistent football if he wants to fight his way back into Thomas Tuchel's England squad.

Grealish was a notable but deserved omission from the German's first international squad earlier this month and with the World Cup approaching next year, he could be seeking pastures new. One club that has been linked with signing the maverick player is Spurs.

It was a move that was reportedly heavily on the cards in the summer of 2018 after Aston Villa loss in the play-off final to Fulham. However, Grealish stayed with his boyhood club in the Championship and earned promotion to the Premier League the next season.

A move to the Lilywhites would see reunite with Maddison who he not only shares a close friendship with but are members of the same WhatsApp group called 'The Avengers'. Also featuring the likes of Dele Alli, Ben Chilwell, Ross Barkley, and John McGinn, the Spurs star revealed the existence of the chat in an interview with ex-Hull City star David Meyler.

"We have a little group chat called The Avengers," Maddison admitted. Grealish claimed that either himself or the ex-Leicester City midfielder are the biggest culprits of being on constant alert in the chat. "Me or Madders," he told UMM's Assumptions in 2021.

"On that point (Maddison) is on the group chat 24/7. Someone writes in it and then bam, he's ready straight away. Constantly in there. Then there's people like Chilly, he'd be online and he wouldn't read it."

Grealish - who reportedly earns £300,000 per week at City - could prove to be a difficult deal to complete for Spurs whose rigid wage structure would likely prevent such a transfer taking place.

Arsenal and Tottenham will play an extra North London derby fixture this summer when they meet in Hong Kong as part of their respective preparations for the 2025-26 season

The North London derby will take place outside of the UK for the first time ever this summer after Arsenal and Tottenham confirmed they would meet in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong ahead of the 2025-26 season.

The rivalry between Arsenal and Spurs is among the fiercest in football and it's Mikel Arteta's side who currently have the bragging rights after winning both Premier League matches against their bitter rivals this term. They will meet again, though, before the start of next season on July 31.

Both clubs issued statements on Monday morning revealing that Arsenal and Spurs will meet at the Kai Tak Stadium as part of the Hong Kong Football Festival.

The recently opened stadium has a capacity of 50,000 and will make history by becoming the first stadium outside of the UK to host the iconic fixture.

Arsenal's Managing Director, Richard Garlick said of the news: “Everyone at Arsenal is excited to be visiting Hong Kong in July. It’s great to be back with our men’s first team squad after 13 years, and gives us the opportunity to meet so many of our fantastic supporters in the region again.

“As well as training hard and playing the match, we cannot wait to connect with our Hong Kong supporters in this wonderful part of the world. Playing against Tottenham Hotspur in the magnificent new Kai Tak Stadium will be a great experience for both teams and supporters, and will be a very important part of our pre-season preparations ahead of the new season.”

Tottenham's Chief Revenue Officer, Ryan Norys, added in a statement of their own: “There are few bigger occasions in English football than a north London derby and to play this fixture in Hong Kong will be a huge occasion for our passionate fanbase across Asia, as well as providing ideal preparation for the team ahead of the new season.

“As is tour tradition, the Club will be involved in so much more than the match itself when we visit, supporting charitable causes, celebrating local culture, delivering football clinics for young people and engaging with fans and partners. We cannot wait to visit such a beautiful place once again.”

Arsenal are currently second in the Premier League ahead of the final fixtures of the campaign, while Spurs are 14th after a difficult second season for Ange Postecoglou.

Tottenham have the option to sign loanee Mathys Tel on a permanent transfer for £45million when the summer transfer window opens, but parent club Bayern Munich hold a veto

Tottenham may have the decision whether or not to sign Mathys Tel taken out of their hands by Bayern Munich. Tel joined Spurs in the January transfer window, signing on loan until the end of the season in search of more regular game time, having struggled under Vincent Kompany’s management.

The France under-21s forward has returned just one goal in seven games for Tottenham so far and the jury remains out over his potential for Ange Postecoglou’s side. The deal agreed between Bayern and Spurs sees the north London side have a purchase option set at €55million (£45.7m).

However, Bayern could undercut that, with Kicker reporting that the Bavarian giants are considering calling back all the players who are out on loan ahead of the Club World Cup, which begins on June 14 in the United States. Tel's contract with Spurs is due to expire on June 30, but FIFA has opened up a new transfer window between June 1 and June 10.

That could allow Bayern to terminate their existing agreement with Spurs and bring back the Frenchman. The split transfer window was ratified this week and will see deal-making reopen on June 16 until September 1. It could present an issue for Spurs, should they want to keep Tel.

The young forward made it clear that he would be open to staying when he signed in February. "Why I chose Tottenham, because that was the best option for me, what was important for me," Tel said.

"I felt the commitment, I spoke with the president [chairman Daniel Levy], talked with the manager. I'm young, I've started to grow up and this was the best option for me and I'm very happy. I'm very excited to play with my team-mates, for the fans. That's a new challenge for me, a new chapter to open.”

Speaking earlier this month, Postecoglou has emphasised the need for patience with Tel. "Mathys came in a really tricky time for us in that it's different if you haven't been playing regularly and then jump in but he's kind of been trying to build up his fitness,” he said. “At the same time we've been putting him out there pretty regularly because of our lack of options.

“He's still a young man, it's a different league and there are different demands. Certainly at the moment we are not in our best moment like last night when he is going to get loads of chances.

"Again, working with him since he came in, he's got a really strong head on his shoulders and last night, as disappointed as he was to come off, it didn't seem to affect him in terms of his mental aptitude to deal with it and get on with it and try and make an impact in the best way he can.”

He added: "[Mathys] hasn't made the impact that he probably wanted to but the circumstances of where we are at, I think it's unfair to put that on his shoulders. He has done as well as he possibly can. I'm sure in between now and the end of the year people will see him and realise what a talent he is and my job is to make sure we protect him through that."

Ange Postecoglou's position at Tottenham has come into question this season after a difficult time in the Premier League and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola has been touted as a replacement

Bournemouth boss Adoni Iraola has confirmed he is happy at the club, amid speculation he could replace Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham. The Cherries head coach is adamant he will not be distracted from finish helping the club capitalise on their promising season so far.

Iraola has forged himself an impressive reputation having led the club to the FA Cup quarter-final, where they take on Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium, and into European contention. The south coast club sit in 10th in the Premier League but are just five points from fourth position in the table having defeated Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle this season

Meanwhile, Postecoglou is enduring a difficult second season with Tottenham Hotspur. The Lilywhites sit in 14th place in the top-flight, 11 points behind Bournemouth, but remain in contention to win the Europa League.

That has not been enough to prevent scrutiny over the Aussie's position however. For his part, Iraola is simply concerned with his job with the Cherries.

"I want to do my job the best I can. I don’t know how far we can go, where we will finish," he said ahead of his side's meeting with Pep Guardiola's side.

"If I don’t do the job very well, they (Bournemouth’s owners) will find someone else who does the job – it is like this in every job.

"I am really happy here. We have a great opportunity for the first time in the (club’s) history to go to (the FA Cup) semi-finals. That would be amazing for me personally and for the club to achieve new heights.

"But we know that we have to also be realistic, that there are better teams than us and we have to fight against teams that are very good, so we will try to give the best level we have."

The Cherries' season has seen the likes of breakout stars Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen linked to big-money moves. The international break has seen the Dorset team attempt to solidify their status off the field however, as the first team moved into a new training centre.

Canford Magna is home to a state-of-the-art £32million training centre that hosts an indoor dome in addition to full-sized training pitches and rehabilitation facilities across 57 acres. Bournemouth's youth and women's teams will soon join the first team at the new training ground.

Iraola believes it sets the platform for the club to push on. "It has been a big change for us," the 42-year-old Spaniard said.

"We still have to familiarise (with it all), but obviously it is a big improvement for the team and for the club. [Making a change of base] during the season sometimes is not the best moment, but I think this break has been very good to do it and you can see (that) from the faces of the players.

"The pitches are perfect – we have all the tools we need. The most important thing is the football, but at least we cannot now use any other excuses because we have the best tools."

Tottenham's dream and nightmare ends to season with trophy on the line amid 47-year record

Tottenham have lost more than half their Premier League games under Ange Postecoglou but could salvage their season with Europa League success albeit a new low could still be suffered

Tottenham have endured a throwback this season - back to a time when they were not considered among the Premier League's 'top six'. That title largely derives from their financial success, rather than their on-pitch performances, and is an extension of the old school 'top four' that existed in the mid-2000s.

Back in 2008/09 they lost 15 games - their highest number in two decades - en route to an eighth-place finish. This year they've already lost 15 games with nine more still to play and finishing eighth seems like a tall order.

Ange Postecoglou has continued to remain defiant despite Tottenham playing like the team who made bottom-half finishes a regular thing in and around the late 1990s and early 2000s. Yet hope still remains, just.

The Australian manager may be regretting his decision to highlight how he "always wins" things in his second season at clubs. This is year two at Tottenham and only the Europa League remains a possibility.

The bottom three have been cut adrift so any mild fears of relegation, which were discussed when Tottenham lost at home to Leicester in late January, have been quashed and there's no danger of the north Londoners losing their top-flight status, even if this will be a season to forget.

Nevertheless, with the final international break now concluded, Spurs' season can still finish on a major high. Whether it will or not remains to be seen though....

The dream scenario

Trophies do cover cracks like nothing else. There's been increased anger against the ownership, particularly Daniel Levy, and protests have been held outside the stadium this season. It is well documented how the League Cup in 2008 - then known as the Carling Cup it was that long ago - is their last trophy.

A Europa League would therefore be a massive coup and, if that wasn't enough, it would also lead to a spot back in the Champions League. That would bring with it massive revenue and mean their state-of-the-art stadium is able to host matches befitting its brilliance.

Before that happens though Tottenham need to seriously improve on the performances that saw them edge past AZ Alkmaar. Their next assignment in Europe is Frankfurt and, should they negotiate that, a potential semi-final against Lazio, who are the No 1 seeds in the tournament.

The likes of Manchester United or Athletic Bilbao are possible opponents come the final at San Mames in May. Tottenham would need a seriously strong finish to the season to break into the top half, but more than anything fans may be happy to see a fully fit squad back together and playing a style that suggests brighter things are just around the corner.

The nightmare scenario

Conversely, in less than three weeks Tottenham could have waved goodbye to their European dream if Frankfurt can cut them apart like so many teams have this season. Postecoglou seems to be leading a "we'll score more than you" mentality with scoring goals not a problem for his side, but keeping them out is a major one.

Their first-leg against Frankfurt is in the English capital and a comprehensive and commanding win for the Germans would result in that sombre feeling, that has become all too familiar.

Away from Europe the north Londoners still have to face the likes of Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa. A number of losses in the final weeks of the season could easily see Tottenham finish as low as 16th. Currently West Ham occupy that spot, but Tottenham are only ahead of them in the table on goal difference. And there is a distant chance that Wolves, once relegation near-certainties - could close the eight-point gap between them and Spurs.

Tottenham have not finished 16th or lower in the top flight since they were promoted from the old Division 2 back in 1978. The absolute fear is that the forgettable campaign also sees a number of their leading lights - the likes of Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison - consider whether Tottenham is the best place for them ahead of the summer transfer window.

Ange Postecoglou has endured a difficult second season in charge of Tottenham Hotspur with the club identifying three contenders to replace the Australian manager

Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing Andoni Iraola in a blow to current manager Ange Postecoglou, it has been claimed. Postecoglou has found himself under pressure this term with Spurs falling down the table after finishing fifth in his first season.

Bournemouth boss Iraola moved to the Premier League at the same time at Postecoglou, having previously impressed at Rayo Vallecano. His first season on the south coast took a while to get going, but he has overseen significant improvement this term.

A run of one point from the last four games has left the Cherries down in 10th, but an 11-game unbeaten run around the turn of the year means they're still within touching distance of European qualification. They are also still in the FA Cup, where they are due to take on Manchester City on Sunday.

Spurs are 10 points behind Iraola's side, despite recently coming back to draw 1-1 with them in the league. Postecoglou still has a chance to end the season as a trophy winner, with his team facing Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarer-finals of the Europa League.

According to The Athletic, Iraola is Spurs' top target if they do part ways with their current boss. The publication notes that Postecoglou's future beyond this season is in "serious doubt," though no decision has been made at this stage.

Spurs' manager still has another year on his contract, and could yet remain on board. Results have improved after a mid-season injury crisis saw them drift towards the bottom three, with three wins on the spin in February lifting them out of immediate danger before a recent slide.

Iraola also has a year left on his current deal. He isn't the only Premier League boss on Spurs' radar, with the same report suggesting they have eyes on Fulham's Marco Silva and Brentford manager Thomas Frank.

Spurs went into the international break off the back of one point from three matches. The last of those came away to Silva's Fulham, when two late goals from Rodrigo Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon settled the tie.

"Both goals were pretty soft," Postecoglou told Match of the Day after the defeat. "At the very least you want to stay in the game. I thought in the second half we were the better team and had the best chances up to that point. So to concede is very disappointing.

"It's been a difficult campaign for sure. But I feel we've lost too many games that we should have got stuff out of, and this was one of those games.

"It's another international break we go into off a loss and you feel that. We just need to make sure we're ready for when we come back."