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Tottenham Hotspur star Dejan Kulusevski has made a devastating injury admission after Sweden secured qualification for the World Cup.

Despite failing to win a single of their matches during their European qualifiers campaign, Sweden defied the odds as they beat Poland 3-2 to secure for the World Cup in North America this summer.

With star players like Liverpool's Alexander Isak and Spurs' Kulusevski sidelined by injury, it was Anthony Elanga, Gustaf Lagerbielke and Viktor Lindelof who stepped up and found the back of the net in the match.

Sweden will enter the World Cup in Group F, where they will play against Tunisia, The Netherlands, and Japan, with their first match against Tunisia at 03:00 on June 15.

Thankfully, it appears likely that Isak will be back in time to feature at the World Cup, but after the match Kulusevski admitted that it may still come too soon for him to play.

Speaking to Viaplay, after the win, the 25-year-old reaffirmed his commitment to return to fitness, but admitted he faces an tough road ahead to be ready in time.

He said: "I haven't played in a year. I know what the chances are. But if there is one person on the planet who can do this, I would bet on myself. And we are not just going there to participate. Sweden will aim to be one of the best.

"As long as I live, I will do everything I can so that Sweden, when we go out and play, will not be afraid of anyone. Brazil, France, whoever they are. That's why I'm on this planet. To give faith and love to my people."

As he watched his side punch their ticket for their second World Cup of the last 16 years, he was clearly holding back the tears.

The forward has not featured for club or country since getting patella surgery in May last year, and just three weeks ago, he had another minor surgical intervention to clean up his knee.

However, Kulusevski remains adamant that the operation was needed and will actually help speed up his recovery, rather than set it back further.

Speaking in another interview, via Football London, he added: "I understand that people were worried, but it was actually for the wrong reason.

"It was really positive to undergo this small operation and be able to identify the problem. Now everything should be sorted out. Maybe because of things that won't be known because, at the end of the day, it's only God who decides and no one else."

Roberto De Zerbi may have already identified the first player he wants to sign after replacing Igor Tudor as Tottenham Hotspur manager.

After just seven games in charge, Igor Tudor left his role as Tottenham Hotspur interim head coach last week, with the Croat unable to win any of his five Premier League games in charge, with his only point coming in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

Shortly after his dismissal, several names were linked with the Spurs job, with Harry Redknapp, Tim Sherwood, Chris Hughton and Glenn Hoddle and even current player Ben Davies all reportedly considered.

However, on Tuesday the club announced that they had appointed former Brighton boss De Zerbi, with the Italian signing a five-year contract, with a reported annual salary of £12million to 15million, which will make him the third-highest paid Premier League manager.

With Spurs in a desperate fight for survival in the Premier League, De Zerbi's appointment needs to go well, and it appears he's already identified the one player he wants to bring in to help guide the London club to better days.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato IT, De Zerbi has identified Manuel Locatelli as the one player who could help transform Spurs, having worked with the midfielder during his spell at Sassuolo between 2019 and 2021.

The Italian has impressed for Juventus this season, leading the side as captain, playing 39 times in all competitions and contributing to five goals while controlling the match from midfield.

It is reported that before signing as the new Spurs' boss, De Zerbi discussed potential transfer targets during a major meeting with the club's ownership outlining his vision for the future.

During this meeting, he is believed to have named Locatelli as his top target for the summer, but only if they are able to survive relegation.

As it stands, Locatelli’s current contract at Juventus runs until the summer of 2028 and it is currently unclear if the club plans to extend his contract further.

Should they decide to part ways with the 28-year-old, it could provide an opportunity for several clubs, with Spurs believed to be only one of several Premier League sides interested in the Italian.

The report adds that, should Locatelli be available, Manchester United will rival Spurs for his signature this summer.

Spurs have already been rejected by one of their managerial targets following the departure of Igor Tudor.

Tudor left Spurs by mutual consent on Sunday afternoon following seven matches in charge.

He took just one point from his five Premier League games, and also oversaw the club's elimination from the Champions League to Atletico Madrid at the last 16 stage.

Spurs now sit only one place and one point above the relegation zone with seven matches to play.

Sean Dyche and Roberto De Zerbi were instantly installed as joint favourites to take over by the bookmakers, with The Telegraph reporting that a series of more left-field appointments, including Chris Hughton, Tim Sherwood and even current Spurs defender Ben Davies, may also be considered.

But one manager who was linked with the job at the beginning of last week has publicly ruled himself out of the running.

Former Monaco manager Adi Hutter, who has been out of work since being sacked by the principality club in October, says he does not want to take the job.

In a statement on Sunday evening, the 56-year-old said (as per Sky Sports Austria): "In recent days and weeks, I have been increasingly linked with various clubs.

"However, as I already stated immediately after my time at Monaco, I would prefer not to work as a head coach again until the start of the new season at the earliest.

"My position on this matter has not changed since then."

What have other Spurs managerial candidates said?

During an appearance on talkSPORT on Saturday, former Nottingham Forest boss Dyche refused to either publicly admit or rule out interest in the job.

He said that it is 'a very tricky situation' when a manager is asked about a vacant role, adding: "You try to be respectful. Because obviously, let's use Tottenham as an example - brilliant club, massive club and all the rest.

"And then you go, 'Yeah, I'm flattered'. And then they [media] go: 'Oh, he hasn't said no!'

"Then you go, 'No'. And they go, 'Oh, he wants it really?' And you say, 'Yes'."

Sherwood, who was head coach of Spurs between 2013 and 2014, has stated on numerous occasions on Sky Sports News that he would be interested in taking the role.

And while at Cheltenham Festival earlier this month, Spurs legend Harry Redknapp told ITV: "They know where I am if they need me.

"They need somebody to go in there and give them a lift, and make them believe in themselves.

"They're bang in trouble, I must be truthful."

Tottenham Hotspur are considering appointing a current player as interim manager until the end of the season following Igor Tudor's exit.

The club confirmed Tudor's departure in a statement on Sunday afternoon, bringing his turbulent time in charge to an end after 44 days.

He failed to win any of his five Premier League games in charge after replacing Thomas Frank, and Spurs sit 17th in the table, one point above the relegation zone, with seven matches to play.

A 3-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest proved to be the Croatian's final game in charge.

Attention will now turn to finding a third coach in a bid to stop Spurs from sliding into the second division for the first time since 1977.

The Telegraph reports that Harry Redknapp, Tim Sherwood, Chris Hughton and Glenn Hoddle are under consideration for the role on a short-term basis. All four men have a history with Spurs, having played or managed the North London outfit in their careers.

Interestingly, current full-back Ben Davies is another name in contention.

Davies joined Spurs from Swansea City in 2014 and is the team's longest-serving player.

The 32-year-old hasn't played since January after undergoing surgery on a broken ankle, which saw him miss Wales' World Cup play-off defeat to Bosnia on Thursday evening.

It'd be a bold move from Spurs, who have a sizeable gap between now and their next game.

They don't return to action until April 12th, when they travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland.

If the club manages to avoid the drop, Roberto De Zerbi is interested in taking the job permanently. De Zerbi, who previously managed Brighton, left Ligue 1 outfit Marseille last month.

Ex-Spurs striker Robbie Keane is said to only be interested in leaving Hungarian side Ferencvaros if he gets a crack at the job full-time, while Sean Dyche is currently available after being sacked by Nottingham Forest.

Igor Tudor has left Spurs by mutual consent after seven games in charge, the club has announced.

The Croatian, who was appointed last month to replace Thomas Frank, took just one point from his five Premier League matches.

He also oversaw a 7-5 aggregate defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16 stage, with Spurs winning the second leg 3-2 at home.

His last game in charge was last Sunday's 3-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest, which leaves Spurs just one point and one place above the Premier League relegation zone.

The club have released a statement confirming that Tudor, goalkeeping coach Tomislav Rogic and physical coach Riccardo Ragnacci have all left their roles by mutual consent.

"We thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their efforts during the past six weeks, in which they worked tirelessly," the statement reads.

"We also acknowledge the bereavement that Igor has recently suffered and send our support to him and his family at this difficult time.

"An update on a new Head Coach will be provided in due course."

As per Oddschecker, Sean Dyche and Roberto De Zerbi are joint odds-on favourites to replace Tudor at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Dyche and De Zerbi are both priced at 6/4 by BetVictor, with Fulham boss Marco Silva also a contender at 7/2.

Former Monaco manager Adi Hutter, who was linked with the role in the event of Tudor's departure earlier this week, is back at 6/1.

Ex-Spurs midfielder, academy graduate and coach Ryan Mason, who is unemployed after being sacked by Championship side West Brom in January, is at 10/1.

Mauricio Pochettino is also priced at 10/1, though his role with the United States men's national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup would rule him out of a return before the summer.

And former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is priced at 20/1, with the 79-year-old having refused to rule out a return to the club if he was offered it.

Dyche, who has been out of work since his departure from Nottingham Forest in February, also hasn't distanced himself from the role - even if he didn't exactly give an answer either way.

During an appearance on talkSPORT on Saturday, the former Burnley boss said: "No matter what you do, it's a very tricky situation [as a manager being linked with a job].

"When you're the manager, you know you're going to get asked these [questions] at some point, whatever part of your career, if you're doing alright.

"And you get asked, and then you try and be respectful. Because obviously, let's use Tottenham as an example - brilliant club, massive club and all the rest.

"And then you go, 'Yeah, I'm flattered'. And then they go: 'Oh, he hasn't said no!'

"Then you go, 'No'. And they go: 'Oh, he wants it really?' And you say, 'Yes'."

Next Spurs manager odds

(via BetVictor - to take charge before May 30)

Sean Dyche (Unattached) - 6/4

Roberto De Zerbi (Unattached) - 6/4

Marco Silva (Fulham) - 7/2

Adi Hutter (Unattached) - 6/1

Ryan Mason (Unattached) - 10/1

Mauricio Pochettino (United States) - 10/1

Robbie Keane (Ferencvaros) - 14/1

Spurs are set to make yet another managerial change and cut ties with Igor Tudor after the dismal home defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Tudor, who replaced Thomas Frank, finally won his first game in charge last week when Spurs beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 in a dead-rubber Champions League round of 16 second leg.

But the team did not turn a corner and the relegation six-pointer with Forest on Sunday was a disaster, with Spurs beaten 3-0 after goals from Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awoniyi.

That handed Tudor his fifth loss since taking the reins and leaves Spurs just one point clear of West Ham, who lost to Aston Villa.

The Croatian was not on post-match media duties after he was informed of the death of his father Mario. The club said their "thoughts and condolences go out to Igor and his family during this incredibly difficult time".

Former Juventus boss Tudor was appointed until the end of the season but recent reports indicate that he could find himself relieved of his duties very shortly.

The Times say that Spurs are seriously considering making a permanent managerial appointment, with former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi their top target.

Ex boss Mauricio Pochettino and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola are also contenders but De Zerbi is available after leaving Ligue One side Marseille via mutual consent last month.

It could be that desperate Spurs replace Tudor with Di Zerbi but ensure a relegation close is included in his contract in the event that the dreaded scenario happens.

Spurs have never been relegated since the Premier League's inception in 1992 but are in locked in a genuine relegation battle nearly a year on from winning the Europa League.

After the international break, they take on Sunderland in their next fixture on 12 April before games against Brighton and Wolves.

Spurs' final four fixtures see them face Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton - their final day opponents on 24 May.

Tottenham look certain to be appointing a new manager soon, but can you name every man to have taken charge of the club since 2000?

Spurs suffered a damaging 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend to slip below the visitors into 17th, just one place and one point above West Ham in the final relegation zone spot.

Igor Tudor has taken just one point from his five Premier League games in charge since taking over in February until the end of the season, and without a win in the top flight since December 28, it seems a matter of when rather than if Spurs will make another managerial change.

Tim Sherwood, one of 21 previous men to have led the club this millennium, is sure he would keep them up this season, claiming "it's not complicated".

"I don't think it's too late. I would keep them in the Premier League," he said on Sky Sports on Monday.

"I believe someone with common sense keeps them in the Premier League, they have the quality to do it.

"You have to get them feeling good again, you have to get confidence in the group.

"You don't get confidence by playing (Cristian) Romero...if you're Xavi Simons and you're playing Romero as a right winger and Xavi Simons has just had his best game in a Tottenham shirt against Atletico Madrid, Xavi must be saying, 'what have I done? You're playing someone out of position in my position, where I've just played very well'.

"They have to work hard, you have to tell them there are duties, there is dirty work to be done. But (Randal) Kolo Muani played well against Atletico - play him. Why's he sitting on the bench?

"Play the players who've got the threats, but know they have to work as a team.

"Dominic Solanke, Richarlison will run all day for you, they will chase lost causes. You play a little bit more direct, you come forward together and you go back together, but you need to organise.

"It's not complicated, you drill them every day,11 v 11, they know exactly where their positions are.

"When Micky (van de Ven) starts dribbling the ball and mazing around, you stop in. If you're having to do that and Romero's having to burst forward and affect (things) in forward areas, it's because we're not doing something right up there.

"Stay in your positions. Keep a clean sheet first and foremost. If you can't win the game, don't lose it. Keep them organised."

Can you name the 22 Spurs managers since 2000?

It remains to be seen whether Sherwood - or indeed anyone else - will get the call to try to save Spurs this season, but the question is: can you name all 22 managers since 2000, including caretakers and interim bosses.

Try your luck below and let us know how you do on social media.

A football financial expert has outlined some of the devastating repercussions Tottenham could face if they are relegated from England's top flight for the first time since 1977.

With seven games left to play in this season's Premier League campaign, Tottenham are just one point above the relegation zone following an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Goals from Morgan Gibbs-White, Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi piled even more pressure on interim head coach Igor Tudor as fellow strugglers Forest climbed above Spurs and into 17th.

At the time of writing, Opta's data model suggests Tottenham have a 22.33% chance of being relegated.

So, how much would relegation set them back? If the unthinkable does happen and they do drop down to England's second-tier, it will cost the North London club more than £250 million, according to BBC Sport.

Ticket revenue, commercial income and overall broadcast revenue will take a significant hit, not to mention having to deal with a wage bill of £276 million and the impact that will have on finances.

As per The Athletic, the 'vast majority' of the first team squad would see their earnings slashed by around 50 per cent.

Expert gives stark insight into what relegation could cost Tottenham

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has already touched on Spurs' potential relegation and the devastating impact it could have on the club, with loss of revenue and unpaid transfer instalments mentioned.

"The good news for Spurs is that it's now an entertainment complex with a football club as a sideline. So the other side of the business, the events, those would be protected," he told Football London last month. "Those would just go on as before if they went down."

Maguire continued: "I think the amount of ticket income would be impacted and there would be some big impacts in terms of a loss of revenue. They made around about £600 million of revenue last season.

"So the chances of being able to repeat that, I think, would be fairly unlikely, if at all possible.

"There are other things that could sort of fly under the radar. Spurs do have an awful lot of debt. One season in the Championship, clearly not ideal. Based on my figures, they owe over £300 million in unpaid transfer fees to other clubs. So that would need to come out of somebody's pocket.

"I think there would be constraints. They'd get parachute payments. But, again, looking at my numbers here, last season, they made around about £190 million in TV money. In the Championship, even with parachute payments, that £190m drops to around about £45m.

"So there could be some big hits for the club. Less money coming in.

"You've still got the issues that they've made legacy transfers, which haven't worked. But not only have they bought the players, they've still got to go and pay for those instalments on players. So it won't be great."

Despite all the negatives, Maguire gave Tottenham fans some relatively 'good' news to hang onto.

"What Spurs do have in their favour is their wage bill. They pay, on average, around £100,000 a week," he continued.

"By the standards of the remainder of the Big Six, that is far, far lower. That would act in their favour. That is also highly incentivised to get into better positions than they are at present and so on."

Maguire added: "So they've got that sort of historic benefit. But even then, what the owners would have to do, the owners would have to go and provide some funding."

Tottenham have reportedly already made a decision on Igor Tudor following the club's crushing defeat to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest.

Spurs suffered a bruising 3-0 home defeat to Forest on Sunday, increasing their relegation fears this season.

Goals from Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awoniyi condemned Tudor to his fifth defeat since he took charge of the club in February.

Spurs occupy 17th place in the Premier League table, just one point above West Ham United, who sit in one of the relegation spots, having lost 2-0 to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Heading into their crunch clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it was viewed as a must-win fixture given Forest are also in the thick of the relegation battle.

According to Football Insider, Tudor's future depended on Spurs' result against Forest, calling it 'make or break', suggesting he now faces the sack after his latest defeat.

The Croatian has only managed one win since replacing Thomas Frank and that result came in the Champions League when they defeated Atletico Madrid 3-2 in the second leg of their last-16 tie, which they lost 7-5 on aggregate.

He's picked up just one league point - a draw at Liverpool.

Tudor didn't conduct post-match media duties following Spurs' defeat to Forest because he was informed of an immediate family bereavement, according to Alasdair Gold.

Who could replace Igor Tudor?

If Spurs decide to part ways with Tudor, then the club plan to hire a manager who has experience dealing with relegation battles in England's top flight, per the report.

A move for Sean Dyche, who has a track record in handling difficult situations, had been mooted but he is thought to be unwilling to take the role.

Former Spurs managers Glenn Hoddle and Harry Redknapp have also been linked with returning to the club.

Speaking at the Cheltenham Festival last weekend, Redknapp said 'they know where I am' regarding a return to management.

"They know where I am if they need me," he said.

"They need somebody to go in there and give them a lift and make them believe in themselves.

"They're bang in trouble, I must be truthful. It's going to be tight at the bottom, isn't it?"

Joe Hart screamed out loud while on commentary for Spurs' Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.

After Igor Tudor finally got a point on the board with a last-gasp draw against Liverpool on Sunday, Spurs hosted Atleti in the Champions League round of 16 second leg.

The North London side went into the second leg trailing 5-2 after a horror show in the Spanish capital, where goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was substituted after 16 minutes after a disastrous Champions League debut.

A member of the goalkeeping union, Hart was on punditry duty for TNT Sports and had some strong thoughts on Tudor's treatment.

He was a co-commentator for the second leg at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium and provided a memorable soundbite just before half-time.

Guglielmo Vicario produced an incredible save to deny Giuliano Simeone, whose long-range effort was deflected by Cristian Romero.

Wrongfooted, Vicario somehow managed to tip away the strike and Hart erupted with a loud scream that drowned out Sam Matterface's commentary.

The scream was almost like the kind of reaction we are used to hearing when a goal is scored, except this time it was preventing one from going in.

He then proceeded to wax lyrical about the fine piece of goalkeeping. And though that noise, wasn't quite in his job description, fans enjoyed the excitement from Hart - who has become a regular for both TNT Sports and BBC Match of the Day.

One user on X wrote: "Joe Hart, very likeable bloke".

A second said: "Joe Hart is all of us. #GKUnion."

A third wrote: Why has Joe hart had so much s*** for this? I actually love the fact a commentator is celebrating a save like a goal in all for it!!!!!"

A fourth was in stitches and commented: "The noise Joe Hart just made at that Vicario save [laughing emoji]."

Spurs went 1-0 up through Randal Kolo Muani before Julian Alvarez scored his second goal across the two fixtures.

Xavi Simons put Spurs back in the lead before David Hancko made it 2-2 on the night and 7-4 on aggregate, setting up a huge all Spanish clash with Barcelona in the quarter finals.