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Igor Tudor: New Tottenham boss '100%' convinced Spurs will avoid relegation from Premier League

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Igor Tudor: New Tottenham boss '100%' convinced Spurs will avoid relegation from Premier League - BBC
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New Tottenham head coach Igor Tudor is "100%" convinced they will avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Spurs are 16th in the table, only five points above third-bottom West Ham with 12 league games left.

Former manager Thomas Frank was sacked on 11 February after eight months in charge, with ex-Marseille, Lazio and Juventus boss Tudor coming in to replace him.

Speaking on Friday in his first news conference, Tudor, who was a defender with Juventus and a Croatia international during his playing career, said he was looking to make an immediate impact.

"I'm not here to enjoy it, I'm here to work," said the 47-year-old. "Enjoy is the first moment, and then there's work to do. It's a fantastic club. I am very focused to do the right things.

"It is not about systems. It is important to become a team, a group, who will look after each other. For me this is basic.

"After that the quality can come out and, for me, this is a team with quality, with legs that can run. There is potential."

Despite coming fourth in the league phase of the Champions League to jump straight into the last 16, Tottenham have struggled in the Premier League.

Since November, they have only won two of 17 league matches, with six draws and nine defeats. Their last league victory was a 1-0 success at Crystal Palace on 28 December and they have collected only four out of a possible 24 points in 2026.

Spurs, who finished 17th last season, have been in the top flight of English football in every campaign since one year in the old Second Division in 1977-78.

Asked how confident he was Tottenham would still be in the Premier League next season, Tudor replied "100%".

His first game is at home on Sunday against bitter rivals and current leaders Arsenal, with Spurs facing an injury crisis.

"It's a very rare situation," added Tudor. "We have 10 injuries, we trained with 13 players.

"It is an even bigger challenge to succeed from this situation. My first goal is that we become a team in the right meaning of the word, that suffers when it needs to suffer, to fight, to run, to have the right mentality. The start is always about mentality."

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Mikel Arteta press conference: Spurs v Arsenal

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Mikel Arteta press conference: Spurs v Arsenal - BBC
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No fresh injury concerns, and there is "a real possibility" that Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard are available against Spurs.

On Bukayo Saka's new contract: "He is one of our own, for him to make that decision is a really positive thing."

On the draw at Wolves: "This is one chapter, chapter 27 says we draw against Wolves. What I'm interested in is the next one, how do we write our own destiny? Life moves on. There's nothing we can do about the result, what we can do is focus on the next one."

Arteta was asked about a piece of social media content that Wolves shared which mocked Arsenal's time-wasting before the equaliser: "I read the press conference of Rob [Edwards], the manager, before the game. He thinks that we are the best team in the league by far. I'm much more interested about that than any other thing that I don't know who posts or whatever, especially because I don't read it."

On whether Spurs is the perfect next game: "It is the next game and it's the one we cannot wait to play. We'd love to play today, to get that feeling in our tummies and use it in the right way. We'll have to show up on Sunday."

Arteta was asked about facing a team coached by a new manager, and he said: "It has happened to us seven times already this season. We will have the capacity to adapt but the main focus is on what we have to do to win."

When asked whether he would support his players leaving the pitch if racially abused, Arteta said: "Everyone is aware of the protocols. There is no room for racism in this sport. You have to go case by case to understand what is the best option."

On whether there is cause to be worried about their season: "We have to live in the present. The present is beautiful. We're exactly where we want to be in every competition and what is there to play? We need to earn it like we have done in the last seven or eight months."

On what he, as manager, must do: "To keep calm, to keep my eyes and ears open. To understand what the players need to give the best. That's it."

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Igor Tudor press conference: Tottenham vs Arsenal preview

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Tudor said that "probably" none of the current absentees will be back for the North London derby while Dominic Solanke trained today and yesterday after "some problem with his throat".

On how training has been given the long injury list: "In this particular moment with 10 injuries, we trained with 13 players. It is what is is. It's not fantastic or beautiful but 13 we will have and it is quite enough to achieve what we want on Sunday."

Has he enjoyed his first week at Spurs?: "I didn't enjoy because I'm not here to enjoy. I'm here to work. It's the first moment and there's work to do. It's a privilege to be at this club. Enjoy is the first moment, and then there's work to do. It's a fantastic club. I am very focused to do the right things."

What he has said to the squad: "The players want to have clarity about what we want. This was the goal. To send a message about values and how we want to play."

Tudor said Tottenham will "100%" be a Premier League club next season.

More on Spurs' current league position: "This is not important. Fighting for every position, relegation, first position, Uefa places, you achieve the position because of what you do during the week and on Sunday. It is a consequence of this. It brings you nothing if you think about relegation. All these goals are far away. I never give them importance. I never speak about results and what we want to achieve at the end of the season. I don't believe in this. I believe in today's training. This is all I want the players to think about. The position is a consequence of this."

How has he had an instant impact at the clubs he has worked at?: "I don't know. I do my job. Nothing special. I do things that I believe are important. You need to resolve the problems - there are problems even in the biggest clubs."

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Tottenham news: Melia nearing return after Spurs move

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Melia nearing return after Tottenham move - BBC
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Tottenham forward Mason Melia is targeting a return to training next week.

The 18‑year‑old joined Spurs in January for an Irish‑record fee of £1.6m, rising to £3.2m in potential add‑ons, from St Patrick's Athletic.

However, the Republic of Ireland Under‑21 striker arrived with a minor back issue that Tottenham's medical staff wanted to address before involving him in competitive action.

The decision to send out fellow striker Dane Scarlett on loan to Scottish Premiership side Hibernian for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign was made with Melia's arrival in mind.

Melia is expected to begin with Spurs Under‑21s but with chances to potentially train and play for the first‑team if he impresses and proves his fitness.

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Tottenham v Arsenal: What do the stats say?

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Tottenham v Arsenal: What do the stats say? - BBC
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Spurs have lost their past three league home games against Arsenal, as many as they had in their previous 23 (W10 D10). They last lost four in a row against them between 1952 and 1955.

Since their last league defeat against Spurs in May 2022, the Gunners have lost just one of their 21 away London derby matches in the Premier League (W14 D6), going down 2-1 at Fulham in December 2023.

This will be Igor Tudor's first match as Spurs boss. The only manager whose first ever game in charge of Tottenham was in a match against Arsenal is Glenn Hoddle, who lost 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford in April 2001.

Tudor, however, has won his first match in charge in each of his past five spells at a club, starting with his second spell at Hajduk Split in February 2020 (and with Verona, Marseille, Lazio and Juventus since).

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Premier League predictions: Chris Sutton v Embrace bassist Steve Firth - and AI

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Premier League predictions: Chris Sutton v Embrace bassist Steve Firth - and AI - BBC
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New Tottenham boss Igor Tudor's first game in charge is Sunday's north London derby - but will he make a dream start at home against Arsenal or have a nightmare?

"Tottenham's stadium has been an unhappy place all season," said BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton. "Tudor's problem, if he doesn't get off to a fast start, is that there is going to be negativity around him too.

"Spurs are in a relegation fight and their fans will be asking why have we employed someone to keep us up who doesn't have a lot of knowledge of the Premier League?"

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, BBC Sport readers and a variety of guests.

His guest for week 27 is Embrace bassist Steve Firth, who is a fan of Leeds United, who are 15th in the Premier League table after gaining promotion last season.

Embrace are celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2026 and their new track, Road To Nowhere, is out now and their new album, Avalanche, out in June.

Do you agree with their scores? You can pick your own below.

The most popular scoreline selected for each game is used in the scoreboards and tables at the bottom of this page.

A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.

Firth's favourite Leeds players are mostly from the 1990s, when he was an Elland Road regular, but more recently he was a big fan of midfielder Kalvin Phillips too.

"I always loved Gordon Strachan, Gary McAllister and David Batty - we had a superb midfield then," he told BBC Sport.

"Then we had Tony Yeboah up front for a couple of seasons, and he was amazing too.

"There were so many good players for Leeds back then, but I didn't get to see Eric Cantona play for us - that's the one thing I regret.

"In the past few years, Phillips really stood out before he went to Manchester City. He was a genuine superstar of the future when he was playing for us, so it is shame what has happened with him since.

"Now? The whole team has turned things around in the past few months because we were in serious trouble in November, but we have only lost a couple of games since then.

"I do think we're definitely safe now - we are going to do all right from now on and we will finish in mid-table.

"That is all we can really aspire to at the moment as a promoted team. You just need to hang in there as long as you can really and build up your squad slowly, without over-spending.

"We've started doing that already. We were very lucky to get Dominic Calvert-Lewin in for nothing, because he has been brilliant."

Chris Sutton and Steve Firth were speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.

The AI predictions were generated using Microsoft Copilot Chat - we simply asked the tool to 'predict this week's Premier League scores'.

Villa Park, 15:00 GMT

I was at Elland Road when Aston Villa won there in November - Leeds were really good in the first half but faded, and two Morgan Rogers goals gave Villa the points.

Leeds' form has picked up a lot since then, however, and they are on 30 points now.

That would have been enough to keep them up last season, when third-bottom Leicester went down with 25 points, but they have still got some work to do.

Villa have slipped up a couple of times at home in the past few weeks, losing unexpectedly to Everton and Brentford, and they are probably looking at the table thinking they should be breathing down leaders Arsenal's neck.

I can see Leeds giving them another good game, but I don't see Unai Emery's side dropping points this time. Villa will find a way.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Steve's prediction: This is a tough game but we're on a good run of form and I think we'll get a draw. 1-1

Steve on why he supports Leeds: I'm from Halifax and everyone there either supports Leeds, Huddersfield or Manchester United. I've been a Leeds fan since the 1970s but the time I watched them most was in the 1990s - that's when I'd go most weeks.

Since then, of the guys I went with, one died and the other one moved away so I got out of the habit and I only get to the occasional game now. But my wife is a Mansfield fan, so I have to go and watch them sometimes. I was hoping they would get Leeds in the FA Cup fifth round - we would definitely have gone to that one - but they got Arsenal instead.

AI's prediction: 2-1

Gtech Community Stadium, 15:00

I covered Brentford in the FA Cup tie at Macclesfield on Monday and they were completely underwhelming.

I know they were on a plastic pitch but they couldn't really find their flow and needed an own goal to progress.

Still, the Bees have been in much better form in the Premier League - in stark contrast to Brighton.

Fabian Hurzeler's side have won only one of their past 13 league games in a poor run going back to the start of December, and it is not impossible they could get dragged into the relegation scrap.

I can see this one being close but Brentford will have Kevin Schade back from suspension, while Igor Thiago will also return after being rested against Macclesfield - and those two should make the difference.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Steve's prediction: Brentford are too good for Brighton. My predictions are going to be very conservative by the way, there are no 5-0s! 2-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

Stamford Bridge, 15:00

So much for me thinking that Burnley might give their fans something to cheer about by going on a good FA Cup run.

After their brilliant fightback to beat Crystal Palace in their last league game, the Clarets made changes against Mansfield and went out on their own patch to a League One side.

I just can't see anything other than a home win for Chelsea here, even with their wobble last time at Stamford Bridge where Leeds fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 - Liam Rosenior's side won't let that happen again.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Steve's prediction: Definitely a Chelsea win here. My wife was very happy when Mansfield beat Burnley last week. 2-0

AI's prediction: 3-0

London Stadium, 17:30

West Ham are still in the bottom three but they have shown they are up for the fight in the past few weeks.

Yes, they conceded a late equaliser against Manchester United in their last league game, but they keep on picking up points and that must have given them belief they can stay up.

Bournemouth are on a good run now too, with three wins in their past four league games but, along with Brighton, they are the Premier League's draw specialists this season - both have had 10 so far.

It finished 2-2 when these two sides met on the south coast in November and I can see the points being shared this time too.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Steve's prediction: I am going with Bournemouth to edge this. 1-2

AI's prediction: 2-2

Etihad Stadium, 20:00

This is the fourth meeting between these two clubs already this season, with another to come soon in the FA Cup fifth round - I bet they are sick of each other already.

Newcastle have a long trip back from Azerbaijan to contend with before this game but at least they have put their Champions League tie with Qarabag to bed already and can focus fully on City rather than next week's second leg.

The Magpies still have an awful record at Etihad, however - they lost here in the Carabao Cup in January and have never managed a win in 20 visits in the Premier League.

I don't think this will be easy for City, but I do think they will beat them, again, to move within two points of Arsenal.

The only thing I am not sure about is whether to captain Erling Haaland in my Fantasy team, because he has been out injured.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Steve's prediction: I've always liked Newcastle but I think City are going to win the league so I am going to back them here. 2-0

AI's prediction: 3-1

Selhurst Park, 14:00

Fair play to Wolves, because they have turned a bit of a corner under Rob Edwards.

Their results have still never looked like being enough to keep them up but they showed again against Arsenal that they are at least being competitive now.

Even so, I can see this game being all about Jorgen Strand Larsen, following his £48m move from Wolves to Palace at the end of the January transfer window.

Palace still need the points and I would not be surprised if he has a say in the outcome - let's go for him to score the winner.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Steve's prediction: Wolves are down so I am giving Palace this one. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-1

City Ground, 14:00

When Vítor Pereira went in as Wolves manager in December 2024, he did brilliantly to keep them up - but he has essentially taken them down this season, picking up only two points from 10 games before he was sacked.

Now he has arrived at Forest as their fourth manager of the season.

I don't think his predecessor, Sean Dyche, deserved the sack. Based on the results in his 18 games in charge, Forest would be 12th in the table, but we are used to seeing managerial changes at the City Ground now.

We know Pereira will try to keep things tight, but Forest's biggest issue throughout this campaign has been scoring goals and I am not sure they will be able to get at Liverpool.

Arne Slot's side became the first team to win at the Stadium of Light when they edged out Sunderland in their last league game, and I can see a similar outcome here.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Steve's prediction: Forest might get a new manager bounce but I still think Liverpool will win. As a Mansfield fan, my wife hates Forest so I am not allowed to like them either! It's the same with Chesterfield too. 0-2

AI's prediction: 0-2

Stadium of Light, 14:00

Sunderland's form has dropped off a little bit in recent weeks but they have still had a phenomenal season and are probably safe already on 36 points - now they just have to see it through.

It will be interesting to see how Regis le Bris's side respond to their first home defeat of the season, but Fulham are hardly on a great run either with three straight league losses.

Marco Silva's side beat the Black Cats at Craven Cottage in November, and will leapfrog them in the table if they win this time too - but I don't think that will happen.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Steve's prediction: I wasn't sure about this one because they are both decent sides so I am going for a draw. 1-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 16:30

From what I've read about new Tottenham manager Igor Tudor, he is a guy who goes in at clubs and, in the short term, gets a turn out of his team.

Spurs really need that to happen now, because they desperately need a win or two to get out of reach of relegation.

So, this game is big for them for that reason, and also because they can put another dent in Arsenal's title hopes too.

Spurs and their fans have not had a lot to shout about this season, but if they can get something here then this could be a defining moment in their campaign, and affect Arsenal as well. They would love that.

It was an incredible wobble by Mikel Arteta's team against Wolves, drawing 2-2 after being 2-0 up, and I certainly didn't see it coming.

Maybe it is getting to be 'squeaky bum time' for them, but it didn't affect them when they went away to Leeds a couple of weeks ago and won convincingly.

You can imagine how Spurs will be champing at the bit, and I am expecting them to make a fast start and have a real go at them - but Arsenal have to deal with that, and find a way of bouncing back.

I think the Gunners can do that, and their quality will make the difference in the end. I worry about Spurs in forward areas and it will be interesting to see how Tudor lines them up in defence too.

Ultimately, if Arsenal turn up and play how we know they can, then they will win - and I am expecting them to make a real statement.

Sutton's prediction: 0-3

Steve's prediction: Two bottlers here! I'd like Arsenal to win the league, but I don't think they will. Man City are just used to doing it from here - they just get their heads down in the run-in, and they know what to do. 2-3

AI's prediction: 1-2

Hill Dickinson Stadium, 20:00

Manchester United lost at home to Everton in November despite the Toffees going down to 10 men in the 13th minute, when Idrissa Gueye was sent off for striking his team-mate Michael Keane.

Ruben Amorim's United just could not find a way of breaking Everton down that night, but there is a very different feel about them now Michael Carrick is in charge.

They needed a stoppage-time equaliser to get a point at West Ham last time out but they seem much more confident and have been playing well.

This will be a tough game for them but, as I've mentioned previously, Everton have picked up more points on the road this season than they have done at home.

That's another reason why I fancy United to get something here, and stop David Moyes doing the double over his former club.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Steve's prediction: We were all enjoying United's mid-table mediocrity but they have started to win now. 1-2

AI's prediction: 1-3

Chris correctly picked the winner in 10 of the 15 fourth-round ties to have been played so far - Port Vale versus Swindon was postponed and takes place on 3 March.

He got the better of his guests, Looney Tunes stars Daffy Duck and Porky Pig - Daffy has nine correct predictions, while Porky has eight.

AI did better with a score of 11, again by avoiding any surprise results, but it is the BBC readers who continue to lead the way, with a tally of 13.

Overall, Chris has now correctly picked the winner in 31 of the 47 ties from round three onwards.

His guests are on 26, AI is on 34, but the BBC readers are in pole position with 36.

The shock of the round was Mansfield's win at Burnley which caught out Chris, AI, and most of you lot.

Daffy and Porky did see it coming, however, and out of around 25,000 predictions, more than 3,000 of you also backed the Stags.

Chris got three correct results from the 10 midweek Premier League matches in week 26 [which took place from 10-12 February] with one exact score, for a total of 60 points.

That was enough to beat the BBC readers, who got three correct results with no exact scores, giving them 30 points.

He also got the better of his guest, golf star Ian Poulter, who got two correct results with no exact scores, for a tally of 20 points.

But the weekly win went to AI, which got four correct results with two exact scores, for a tally of 100 points.

There was one other Premier League game played this week - Arsenal's draw with Wolves on Wednesday, which was rearranged because the Gunners are in the Carabao Cup final on 22 March.

Everyone went for an Arsenal victory, so no extra points were scored.

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Premier League LIVE: Build up to Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal - text updates, radio commentary, preview, team news, stats & head-to-head

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Spurs have lost their last three Premier League home games against Arsenal, as many as they had in their previous 23 (W10 D10). They last lost four in a row against them between 1952 and 1955.

Arsenal have won six of their last seven Premier League games against Spurs (D1), including each of the last four. They last won five league games in a row against them between January 1987 and January 1989.

Tottenham are winless in their last eight Premier League games (D4 L4). They last had a longer run within the same campaign between August and November 2007 (9).

Tottenham are the only side without a Premier League win so far in 2026, drawing four and losing four of their eight games. It’s their longest run without a win from the start of a calendar year since 1994 (first 10).

Since their last league defeat against Spurs in May 2022, Arsenal have lost just one of their 21 away London derby matches in the Premier League (W14 D6), going down 2-1 at Fulham in December 2023.

Tottenham Hotspur have scored more Premier League goals via defenders both overall (10) and as a percentage of their total goals (28%) than any other side this season.

This will be Igor Tudor’s first match as Spurs manager. The only manager whose first ever game in charge of Tottenham was in a match against Arsenal is Glenn Hoddle, who lost 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford in April 2001.

New Spurs manager Igor Tudor has won his first match in charge in each of his last five spells at a club, starting with his second spell at Hajduk Split in February 2020 (and with Verona, Marseille, Lazio and Juventus since).

Eberechi Eze has scored six goals in his last four Premier League appearances against Spurs (including three in two at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium), netting a hat-trick in his first appearance against them for Arsenal in November’s reverse fixture.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has won 41 of his 68 Premier League London derbies as manager, the best win rate (60.3%) of anyone to take charge of at least 20. Overall, only Arsène Wenger (106 from 194 games) and José Mourinho (42/70) have won more London derbies than the Spaniard.

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Tottenham: Igor Tudor says it is 'no time for excuses' as he looks to address 'unacceptable' form

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Tottenham: Igor Tudor says it is 'no time for excuses' as he looks to address 'unacceptable' form - BBC
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New Tottenham interim manager Igor Tudor says there's "no time for excuses" as he looks to address the club's "unacceptable" Premier League position.

The former Juventus coach was named as Thomas Frank's replacement last week following the Dane's sacking.

With Spurs sitting five points above the relegation zone with 12 matches remaining, 47-year-old Tudor stressed he was aware of the club's perilous situation.

"I'm coming here knowing that the situation is not easy. There is no time to find excuses," Tudor told Spurs' website.

"The position of the club in this moment is one that nobody can accept.

"Every Tottenham fan cannot accept this situation. We are aware of that."

Spurs currently have 11 players sidelined with injuries and Tudor says he will have to repair the confidence of those who are available to him.

"The situation is not easy because we have a lot of injured players," said the Croat.

"First priority is to give everything the team need in these moments.

"The team need, I believe, first of all, to get some confidence, to get some courage."

Frank was sacked last Wednesday following a 2-1 defeat by Newcastle, which extended Spurs' winless run to eight matches.

Tudor's first game in charge comes against rivals Arsenal at home on 22 February.

Despite Frank's domestic struggles, he guided Spurs through to the knockout stages of the Champions League, which recommence in March.

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Tottenham accused of editing meeting minutes by fans' group

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Tottenham have been accused of selectively editing the written version of what was said at a fans' meeting last month.

Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust (THST) met with representatives of Spurs' board, including chief executive Vinai Venkatesham on 3 February - eight days before manager Thomas Frank was sacked.

THST said that in the minutes of the meeting, the club omitted a section outlining fans' concerns about the risk of relegation from the Premier League and how belief generated from winning the Europa League had been "lost".

The group also claimed that the club left out a line stating they "welcomed the input of THST".

"As a democratic supporters' organisation elected to represent fans' views, we believe it is vital that supporters can see what issues are being raised with the club, how those issues are being discussed and what responses are being given," THST said.

"Publishing a full record of the points raised helps ensure accountability and allows members, and the wider fan base, to understand how the Trust is fulfilling its role on their behalf.

"Transparency is integral to our role and in our dealings with the club."

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Tottenham news: John Heitinga leaving Spurs with Tudor bringing in new backroom staff

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Recently appointed Tottenham assistant coach John Heitinga is leaving the club, with interim boss Igor Tudor bringing in three new backroom staff.

Former Ajax manager Heitinga, who had also previously been part of Arne Slot's title-winning Liverpool coaching staff, only joined Spurs and Thomas Frank's backroom team in mid-January.

The 42-year-old had been a consideration for the interim role following Frank's sacking last week but sources told BBC Sport that his appointment was unlikely.

First-team coaches Justin Cochrane and Chris Haslam, who had followed Frank from Brentford, will also depart.

Tudor, who has signed a contract until the end of the campaign, will bring in his own coaching team, subject to work permits.

Ivan Javorcic is set to join as his assistant, while Riccardo Raganacci and Tomislav Rogic will arrive as a physical and goalkeeping coach respectively. They were all part of Tudor's team at Juventus.

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