TEAMtalk

Tottenham’s situation under Ange Postecoglou worsened again after their weekend defeat to Leicester City at home and there can be little argument that injuries have been a huge factor in the club’s struggles.

Tottenham remain 15th in the Premier League table after the 2-1 defeat to the Foxes which initially saw them take the lead before squandering it in just four second-half minutes.

It has been a dramatic collapse in terms of form and results, with six defeats and one draw in their last seven league games.

One reason for Tottenham’s dramatic collapse in recent weeks is their lengthy injury list which currently has up to 10 absences, including several key first-team starters – particularly in defence.

Pressure is mounting on manager Postecoglou, who has lost 13 games in the league already, which is a feat only beaten by Leicester, Wolves and Southampton.

But with key players poised to return to action soon, could the Tottenham boss finally be set for some respite as TT looks at the current players sidelined and when they should be back.

Guglielmo Vicario

The 28-year-old keeper has been sidelined since November with an ankle injury sustained against Manchester City and his absence has resulted in three different keepers being used.

The trio of Fraser Forster, Brandon Austin and Antonin Kinsky have all been given the chance to stake their claim.

Thankfully for Spurs, Vicario has taken to Instagram in the last few days to share when he might return to action with a tease of ‘not long now’. While it was previously quoted that the end of February would be a likely return date.

Destiny Udogie

Defence has been a real concern but losing the energetic left-back Udogie has been a big blow. A hamstring injury has seen him miss the last seven games, previously featuring in the home draw with Wolves on December 29.

In his absence, Djed Spence has deputized there before his injury, while Archie Gray has now stepped up after Ben Davies returned to fill in alongside Radu Dragusin at centre-back.

As for Udogie, originally set for 10 weeks out, the hope is that he should be back by mid-February.

Cristian Romero

Another key figure at the back, Romero’s experience and toughness adds a level of steel to Spurs which has simply been missing in his absence. His return would allow Archie Gray to play in his natural position and give the side far more balance overall.

Romero’s return is seemingly imminent having been involved in training and he should return very soon, perhaps in their next few games. ‘He’s training, but he’s not travelled. He’s not playing. Probably another week to 10 days for him.’ Postecoglou said on January 22.

Micky Van de Ven

One player who is absolutely fundament to ‘Ange-Ball’ is the Dutch centre-back. His incredible athleticism is needed for his high line and, when fit, Spurs are a far better side with him in it. He previously was rushed back for the clash with Chelsea in December but it proved to be an awful decision, as he has been out of action ever since.

Postecoglou revealed that a return to action shouldn’t be too far away, having already missed 18 games with this injury. ‘[Romero] and Micky are the next cabs off the rank in terms of the long-term ones. They’ve still got a bit to do in terms of getting some training into them with the team. Micky’s not too far away’.

James Maddison

Having missed out in the defeat to his former club Leicester Club, his absence was reportedly down to fatigue. The 28-year-old hasn’t always been a favourite of Postecoglou’s, but he has still managed to start 15 games in the league, recording nine goals and six assists in all competitions.

Although, it looks like he should return this week. ‘He was still a bit sore from the other night [vs Hoffenheim]; it took a fair bit out of the group. He wasn’t 100 per cent, so yeah, he misses out today. Hopefully, he should be alright for next week.

Djed Spence

Similar to Maddison, fatigue was the key factor who his absence. Recent weeks have seen him covering across multiple positions to help the team out, featuring at left-back in the absence of Udogie.

Before the Leicester win, Postecoglou said in the build-up last week as to why he wouldn’t be available. ‘Djed is still sore from [Everton] and is a doubt for this weekend as he got a knock.’

Brennan Johnson

The flying winger suffered a strain during the North London derby defeat against Arsenal and could be out for most of February. Johnson, 23, has enjoyed a fruitful season in front of goal outscoring Solanke with 12 in all competitions.

In terms of a return date, it was revealed that he will be out for at least three to four weeks, resulting in a potential return around mid-February. “He did it in the second half against Arsenal the other night. So yeah, we’re looking at three to four weeks,” added Postecoglou last week.

Timo Werner

Having suffered a hamstring injury in the FA Cup win over Tamworth, Werner’s return date is unclear. After hearing the results of the scan, it was revealed that he is set to be out for three to four weeks while he recovers.

The loanee hasn’t been a key figure with just one goal in 26 proving that he has struggled to emulate anything near his top level that we saw in the past at RB Leipzig and only in very short spells at Chelsea.

Wilson Odobert

A thigh injury suffered early in the season required surgery and the Burnley signing has managed just one goal in six appearances since joining.

‘We can confirm that Wilson underwent surgery to his right hamstring yesterday. The 19-year-old will continue to be monitored by our medical team to determine when he can return to training.’

He is expected back in training in early February and if all goes well, Odobert could be back in competitive action by March.

Dominic Solanke

Solanke’s absence is certainly frustrating given he suffered his knee injury during training. Postecoglou has welcomed back Richarlison in recent games which has helped to fill the void left by Solanke who has netted 11 in 29 games.

Postecoglou commented on the situation last week after their Europa League win over Hoffenheim: “All the information now is kind of we’re looking at around the six-week mark for him,” Postecoglou told reporters in Germany. “No surgery but maybe we can get him back a little bit earlier, we’ll just see how he progresses, but at this stage, it’s only around six weeks.”

Rangers forward Hamza Igamane is having a fantastic season and several Premier League sides including Tottenham and Everton have sent scouts to watch him in action, TEAMtalk understands.

Rangers have had an up and down season, they’re performing excellently in Europe but find themselves well behind Celtic in the race for the league title.

Igamane, 22, joined Rangers from Moroccan side FAR Rabat for just £2.5million last summer and has gone on to become one of the finest talents in the Scottish Premiership.

His performances haven’t gone unnoticed. Sources have stated that ‘everyone’ has scouted Igamane this season, with Tottenham, Everton, Bayer Leverkusen and Nice understood to be among his admirers.

However, luring the young forward away from Ibrox this month highly unlikely as sources close to Rangers have indicated that the club have zero intention to sell.

Igamane is valued extremely highly by the club and they don’t want to lose him mid-season but there is also an acceptance that he has the quality to play at the highest level.

There could be a different picture in the summer as Rangers will have the opportunity to sell Igamane for a huge profit.

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Rangers’ model means Igamane could leave in the summer

Rangers’ plan is to buy talents for a low price and sell them for a significant profit and a big sale of Igamane at the end of this season would represent the first signs of the plan coming together.

Igamane is not alone in being a sellable asset, although it’s clear that he is the player with the highest value as things stand.

Rangers manager Philippe Clement has come under severe scrutiny for results on the pitch, but a number of the players brought in alongside sporting director Nils Koppen are showing much promise.

Mohammed Diomande, Clinton Nsiala and Jefte are other players who have been signed for cut-price fees and hold potential to be sold on for a profit.

Rangers have secured their place in the second round of the Europa League and the overwhelming message from sources is that Igamane will stay at the club until the summer at least.

Igamane has made 27 appearances across all competitions for Rangers so far this season, scoring 13 goals and making three assists in the process.

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Tottenham have lost their last four Premier League matches and there is growing pressure on Ange Postecoglou, but sources maintain that the Spurs manager is not in immediate danger of being sacked.

Spurs’ 2-1 home defeat to Leicester City on Sunday has left them 15th in the table, only eight points outside the relegation zone.

Tottenham’s position this season has been consistent, that they back Postecoglou and that they will review his performance as part of pre-planned evaluation of everything about the season in the summer.

Sources deny the idea that Tottenham are now looking at Postecoglou position on a game-by-game basis even though, as with Gary O’Neil at Wolves, results can quickly change the picture.

Spurs are more focused currently on how to best support Postecoglou in the final few days of the window.

Ryan Mason could replace Ange Postecoglou if results don’t change

Tottenham don’t want to make a knee-jerk decision on Postecoglou. Another factor to consider is that the manager’s they may want to replace him are unlikely to be available mid-season.

There is also an acceptance at Spurs that Postecoglou has been very unlucky in terms of important players getting injured, with over ten senior players now sidelined, several of whom are starters.

Tottenham’s stance on Postecoglou hasn’t changed after the Leicester defeat. Despite their league position they are still fighting for the League Cup and Europa League titles.

However, if Spurs’ form doesn’t turn around, it is likely Spurs would turn again to Ryan Mason – currently Postecoglou’s assistant – given there are limited managers who would take the Spurs job mid-season.

Beyond normal succession planning there hasn’t been any consideration yet to other candidates, which shows the support Postecoglou still has. Although true, Spurs appreciate Andoni Iraola, no contact, even informal, has been made to date with the Bournemouth boss.

Tottenham’s preference is clear: for Postecoglou to turn things around, to collaboratively review the season in the summer and build the project with the Aussie still in charge.

Tottenham face Elfsborg at home in the Europa League next before playing Brentford away on Sunday, that is followed by a crucial League Cup semi-final second-leg against Liverpool at Anfield, which they lead 1-0 on aggregate.

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Tottenham XI of currently injured players*

*Yves Bissouma was left on the bench against Leicester as it was deemed too much of a risk to bring him on.

A former Manchester United manager has emerged as a potential candidate for Tottenham, with a report claiming that his extensive experience and ability to rebuild teams and be successful are attractive to the north London club, who have also made a decision on the immediate future of head coach Ange Postecoglou.

Tottenham are in turmoil at the moment, with the team’s hopes of finishing in the Premier League top four all but gone. Spurs have lost five of their six league games and are only eight points above their relegation zone.

Spurs’ latest defeat in the Premier League came on Sunday when they lost 2-1 to Leicester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. There were chants against Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, with fans also frustrated with Postecoglou.

TEAMtalk’s Fraser Fletcher has been reporting for a while now that although Spurs are not planning to immediately sack Postecoglou, they are looking at potential candidates, with Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola featuring on the shortlist.

Thomas Frank of Brentford is also under consideration, and now Fichajes has thrown another name into the mix.

It has been reported that Spurs are considering former Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag as a potential replacement for Postecoglou.

The 54-year-old was sacked by Man Utd in October 2024 after a run of poor results, and, shockingly, Tottenham are ready to give him another chance in the Premier League and bring him to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Fichajes has claimed that Tottenham have informed Postecoglou that his position as the head coach is in danger, with the report adding that the former Celtic boss is “on the ropes”.

What Tottenham like about Ten Hag is his “experience and ability to rebuild teams”. While the Dutchman could not guide Man Utd to Premier League success, he won the FA Cup and the EFL Cup with the Red Devils and also led Ajax to the Eredivisie title thrice.

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Tottenham stance on Ange Postecoglou future

While certain sections of the Tottenham fans want Postecoglou gone, it seems that Levy is keeping faith in him for the time being.

According to talkSPORT, despite Tottenham’s defeat to Leicester at home in the Premier League on Sunday, the north London club have not changed their stance on Postecoglou.

The Tottenham board are behind Postecoglou at the moment, but there is always the possibility that things could change.

If Spurs do sack Postecoglou, then Ryan Mason could step up as the interim manager and guide the team.

Mason took interim charge of the Tottenham first team when Jose Mourinho was sacked in April 2021.

The 33-year-old former Spurs midfielder was given the managerial role on a temporary basis again after Cristian Stellini left following Antonio Conte’s exit in Match 2023.

Latest Tottenham news: Williams offer, Gimenez blow

While the future of Postecoglou is wrapped up in uncertainty, Tottenham are pressing ahead with their plans to bring in new players in the January transfer window.

A Spanish report has claimed that Tottenham are ready to pay the release clause in Nico Williams’s contract at Athletic Bilbao.

Williams is one of the best young wingers in Europe, and Spurs are willing to pay £49million for him now.

The problem for Tottenham is that Arsenal are also ready to trigger the release clause, with manager Mikel Arteta having been hugely impressed with him.

Tottenham also have their eyes on Tyler Dibling, but they are facing competition from Man Utd for the signature of the Southampton midfielder.

Dibling has been one of Southampton’s best players this season. With the Saints likely to get relegated to the Championship, there is a distinct possibility that the midfielder could leave either in the January transfer window or in the summer of 2025.

Man Utd could try to sign Dibling if they lose Alejandro Garnacho, but Southampton want £55m for the 18-year-old England Under-21 international midfielder.

Meanwhile, Tottenham could struggle to secure the services of Santiago Gimenez from Feyenoord in the January transfer window.

Spurs are keen on the 23-year-old forward and are willing to pay £30m for the Mexico international. With AC Milan also in the race for the youngster. Feyenoord could raise their asking price to £40m, which would be beyond what Tottenham could offer now.

Arsenal are ready to make a big move for one of Europe’s best and most promising young wingers, with a report claiming that Tottenham are also keen on securing his services as the two north London clubs go head-to-head for yet another attacking player.

The Gunners are on the hunt for a new striker following the injury to Gabriel Jesus, but manager Mikel Arteta is also looking to sign a new winger. With the north London club aiming to beat Liverpool to the Premier League title this season, they want to have a strong and competitive squad for the second half of the campaign.

With Bukayo Saka on the sidelines until March at least, Arsenal have been looking at signing another winger, and Nico Williams is on their radar.

Although Williams has predominately played on the left wing this season, the 22-year-old Spain international can operate on the right as well.

The youngster has scored three goals and given five assists in 29 matches in all competitions this season, while during the 2023-24 campaign, he found the back of the net eight times and provided 19 assists in 37 appearances.

Fichajes has reported that Arsenal are ready to pay Williams’s release clause of €58million (£49m / $61m) in his contract and bring him to the Emirates Stadium in the January transfer window.

Blessed with speed and ability to dribble, Williams is a very dynamic young player who has impressed Arsenal manager Arteta.

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has also spoken highly of him in the past, with the former England international comparing Williams to Cristiano Ronaldo.

On the eve of the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain, Rooney wrote in The Times: “Williams, for me, is exceptional. He reminds me of Cristiano Ronaldo when Cristiano was young.

“He’s a big lad, he’ll take the ball and sometimes tries too much but usually makes the right decisions. He is an incredible threat in one-on-one situations and scores goals as well. England need to be really careful with him.”

Arsenal, though, are facing stiff competition for Williams from their north London rivals Tottenham.

Fichajes has noted that, like Arsenal, Spurs too are ready to pay the release clause in the young winger’s contract at Bilbao.

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Arsenal and Tottenham battle for Matheus Cunha

Williams is not the only attacking player that Arsenal and Tottenham are fighting over to sign in the January transfer window.

Wolves forward Matheus Cunha is a player who has attracted interest from Newcastle United, Chelsea and Manchester United.

Arsenal and Spurs are also keen on Cunha, with a report last week claiming that the Brazil international would prefer a move to the Emirates.

Cunha is ready to leave Wolves for a club challenging for the Premier League title, and Arsenal would be his preferred destination.

It could be a similar situation with Williams. With Tottenham closer to the Premier League bottom three than the top four, he could prefer Arsenal to Spurs if both the north London clubs trigger his release clause.

Latest Arsenal news: Nypan talks, Zinchenko exit

Arsenal are keen on a deal for Sverre Nypan, but the Gunners are facing competition from Premier League rivals Manchester City.

The 18-year-old midfielder is one of the most promising youngsters around, and both the Gunners and the Cityzens are keen on a deal.

Compared to Arsenal and Norway international attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard, Nypan and his entourage will sit down with Arsenal chiefs this week to discuss a potential move to the Gunners.

While Arsenal have two of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, they are keen on strengthening that area.

A report has claimed that the Gunners are interested in Valencia youngster Yarek Gasiorowski. Real Madrid are also interested in him.

Gasiorowski is a very good centre-back who has established himself in the Valencia first team. Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are also interested in him.

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zinchenko could be on his way out of Arsenal in the final days of the January transfer window.

LaLiga club Atletico are in talks over a deal for the Ukraine international, who is willing to leave the Gunners.

All the latest rumours, transfer talks, medicals, agreements and done deals in one place – follow along with Monday’s live blog below.

It’s bound to be another busy day and we’ll be right across anything we hear for transfers in progress in the final full week of the window but it slams shut on February 3.

Stick with us for all the latest updates throughout the day.

Jamie O’Hara has urged Daniel Levy to get rid of Ange Postecoglou now after Tottenham suffered a humiliating defeat to Leicester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the pundit naming the manager he would like the north London club to hire who TEAMtalk understands is under consideration.

Tottenham’s poor run of form in the Premier League continued on Sunday as they went down 2-1 to Leicester in north London. With the Foxes fighting for survival in the top flight of English football, Tottenham were expected to win, especially as they were the home team. It was Spurs’ fifth defeat in their last six league games and leaves them just eight points above the relegation zone.

While Postecoglou endeared himself to the Tottenham fans last season with his attacking football, failing to adapt his style, especially in defence, is costing the team at the moment, with many supporters not happy with the former Celtic boss’s stubbornness.

Former Tottenham player O’Hara is an outspoken critic of Postecoglou. The Sky Sports and talkSPORT pundit has urged chairman Levy to sack the 59-year-old before, and the defeat to Leicester has only reinforced his desire to bring in someone better.

O’Hara has also named the manager he would like Tottenham to appoint. Andoni Iraola has done well at Bournemouth, and the former Spurs player would like the 42-year-old Spaniard to take charge of the team.

The pundit said on Sky Sports News: “Look, the more I look at the Bournemouth manager, the more I think, I wouldn’t mind him at Spurs.

“He did need time but Ange [Postecoglou] has had time and he’ll need time at Tottenham and he’ll need his own players in.

“They’re organised. Nottingham Forest are organised. They weren’t yesterday but Bournemouth are organised. Fulham, Marco Silva, organised.”

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Andoni Iraola under consideration at Tottenham

While Tottenham have always backed Postecoglou, TEAMtalk understands that the Premier League club are looking at other managers as potential replacements.

TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent Fraser Fletcher has reported that Iraola is a contender to take charge of Tottenham should Spurs decide to sack Postecoglou.

Sources have told TEAMtalk that Iraola will not be easy to get, with Bournemouth currently seventh in the Premier League table and just a point off the fourth spot.

There have also been reports that Tottenham would have to pay Premier League rivals Bournemouth a compensation fee of £10million for the young manager.

We understand that Tottenham are also looking at Brentford manager Thomas Frank as a potential candidate for the role at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Edin Terzic is on Tottenham’s shortlist as well. The 42-year-old is without a managerial role at the moment, having parted company with Borussia Dortmund last summer.

Latest Tottenham news: Interest in Gimenez and Brobbey

With Tottenham struggling on the pitch, the north London club are keen on making new additions to their squad in the January transfer window.

One of the players Tottenham are interested in signing this month is Santiago Gimenez. The Mexico international striker is doing well at Feyenoord and is on the radar of AC Milan as well.

While Tottenham are keen on a deal for Gimenez, they are able to cough up up to £30million in transfer fees for him. There is speculation that Feyenoord could raise his asking price to £40million.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are reportedly edging closer to the signing of Ajax striker Brian Brobbey.

Reports in Portugal suggest that Ajax are hoping to get £30million for the 22-year-old striker, who has scored three goals and given seven assists in 29 matches in all competitions this season.

Spurs, though, are facing competition for Brobbey, with London and Premier League rivals West Ham United also said to be keen on the Netherlands international, who scored 22 goals and gave 12 assists in 43 appearances for Ajax last season.

Meanwhile, Chris Waddle believes that Cristian Romero wants to leave Tottenham.

The former Tottenham star is of the opinion that the Argentina international central defender thinks that he should be at Real Madrid or Barcelona.

The pundit has said that if Romero wants to leave Spurs, then the club should sell him in the summer of 2025.

Ange Postecoglou may have been managing his last game in charge of Tottenham as they lost 2-1 to Leicester City on Sunday – at least, that’s what one pundit thinks should be the case.

Leicester went into the game on the back of seven defeats in a row, but they came from behind against Tottenham to move just two places behind them in the table.

Spurs remain without a win in the Premier League in 2025 and the pressure is ramping up on Postecoglou. And passionate Spurs pundit Jamie O’Hara believes this could be the nail in the coffin for the manager.

Asked on Sky Sports News if this was the end of Postecoglou’s reign just before full time, O’Hara replied: “Maybe. I mean, this is unacceptable, the performance in the second half has been nowhere near good enough.

“I would love to say it’s been an onslaught and two goals conceded early on and Spurs have come out and tried to win a game, but they haven’t really done anything.

“Leicester keeper’s had nothing to do. No real clear cut chances, terrible performance again.

“I said in the first half, Tottenham weren’t great, they were a bit flat. Richarlison gets on the end of a great cross, but apart from that, they didn’t really do anything.

“Over the course of the 90 minutes, it’s been a really, really bad performance.

“I don’t know how Ange can keep losing games and keep his job.

“At the moment, this is nowhere near good enough and we could be looking at Postecoglou’s last game.”

And although the Australian tactician has blamed injuries for Spurs’ struggles, O’Hara insists he is in an untenable position which has been of his own doing too.

“I’ve never seen a team give the ball away so much in my life, it’s unbelievable,” O’Hara added.

“Lack of ideas, lack of quality, lack of creativity, been a terrible performance. The Leicester goalkeeper can’t believe his luck.

“I’m really starting to believe that Ange might have to go.

“13 games now that Spurs have lost in the Premier League. It’s unacceptable. You can’t lose that many games, I know there’s injuries, I understand that, there’s a bit of a crisis – to lose 13 games as the Tottenham manager is unacceptable.”

Postecoglou ‘inquest’ needed

Once the game was over, O’Hara was firing on all cylinders about what change is needed at Tottenham.

“That is a disgraceful performance, pathetic second half. An inquest needs to be had into what Ange was telling them at half time,” O’Hara argued. “They were 1-0 up. Keep the game tight.

“To come out and play like we did in the second half, it was just desperation after that.

“It was one of the worst performances I’ve seen, again. Another shocking result, another shocking performance.

“I don’t know how Ange can stay in a job. I don’t know what needs to happen and I don’t know what happens at the top with Daniel Levy.

“It’s the 26th of January and we’ve signed one player and he’s a goalkeeper who’s going to end up being no.2 to Vicario when he comes back. Sign some players!”

Postecoglou’s in-game management came under intense scrutiny too, even with the lack of players available.

“You’ve still got good enough players on the pitch to win at home to Leicester today,” O’Hara continued.

“There was a lack of creativity, a lack of drive, a lack of ideas. The substitutions were a bit strange. He took Richarlison off, maybe he looked at the minutes he’s played. You’re fighting for your life, 2-1 down. You have to say, ‘listen, Richarlison, I need you on the pitch for another 10 minutes because I need to get some more attacking players on’.

“Ange Postecoglou is out of his depth. Man-management, in-game management not good enough today. Running out of ideas. He tried to change the tactics against Everton last week, we were 3-0 down at half time. We go 2-1 down to Leicester and I don’t see a change in the way that we play. I don’t see a change in the way we do things. Miles off it, all of them.

“Ange Postecoglou’s in-game management and his tactics after going 2-1 down were non-existent. It’s nowhere near good enough.”

Mourinho, Conte comparisons made

Spurs have sacked some high-profile managers in recent years, including Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte – which makes it even more baffling for O’Hara that Postecoglou hasn’t been relieved of his duties yet.

“You’ve got a manager in Ange Postecoglou who’s so stubborn and won’t change the way he plays, he’s got no plan B, he’s got no plan C. He won’t change the way he wants to play. They’ve run out of ideas,” the former midfielder continued.

“Spurs have run out of ideas because they only know one way to play. He hasn’t got an idea of how to get it done.

“They’re in a relegation fight. I’m telling you now. Teams are picking up underneath them. Every team around them, if you look at it: West Ham sacked their manager, Everton sacked their manager, Man Utd sacked their manager, Wolves sacked their manager.

“You have to be realistic. One win in 11. 13 defeats in the Premier League. Unacceptable. Spurs are in a relegation fight and they need to buck up their ideas, sign some good players quickly and make a decision on what you’re doing with Ange Postecoglou, because at the moment, what he’s giving out isn’t good enough.

“I know there’s injuries, and I know there’s problems, but that is unacceptable. You can’t lose 13 games in the Premier League as the Spurs manager.

“I know you’ve got the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, against Liverpool who are by far the best team in Europe at the moment, and you’re clinging onto hope that we might get to a final, and Ange gives it all, ‘we win a trophy in my second season’.

“Do me a favour. You’re the Spurs manager, you’re 15th in the table, you’ve lost 13 games. That’s not acceptable.

“Any other manager, Harry Redknapp, Juande Ramos, all these managers, Pochettino, Conte, Mourinho, if they were 15th in the table, as Spurs manager, they would be out the door, gone, see you later. Why’s Ange getting a pass? I don’t get it.

“Who cares about attacking football, who cares? You’ve got to be organised.

“We all want to watch entertaining football. You also want to see your team win. You also want to see your team up the table fighting for European spots.”

Have Spurs improved at all?

Postecoglou’s style of play produced a lack of discipline among the Spurs players on the pitch, according to O’Hara.

“Spurs, every time they went forward, they looked like Leicester could score,” he added. “They’ve got no discipline, no desire to defend and keep the ball out of the back of their net, and that for me is a huge problem, and Ange Postecoglou has to put it down to the fact that that is his idea.”

And when he was reminded that Postecoglou claims Spurs have improved under him, a befuddled O’Hara replied: “I don’t know what he means by that, what’s he improved? The ground’s the ground, the training ground’s the training ground, have better players come in? Improvement on what?

“Spurs weren’t great anyway. They were bang average in the first place. They were bad when he came in, they’re worse now.

“Conte got the sack because they wanted to be in the Champions League. Spurs are 15th in the table.”

Tottenham legend Chris Waddle has hit out at the body language of a top Spurs star and claims it’s obvious that he is looking for a way out of the club.

Ange Postecoglou has been missing a number of his key players throughout the season, with the back four hit particularly hard by the club’s current injury curse.

As well as No.1 keeper Guglielmo Vicario, first-choice centre-back pairing Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have been missing for a number of weeks and Waddle is convinced that Argentine Romero now has his eyes firmly locked elsewhere.

When fully fit, the World Cup winner remains one of the top defensive talents in the Premier League and is one of the few actual leaders in a young Tottenham changing room.

The fact that he is back in training is a massive boost for Spurs and Postecoglou, but it remains to be just how much longer the 26-year-old actually remains in north London.

It’s been indicated over recent months that Tottenham have reached out to Romero’s camp about penning a lucrative new deal, but the defender is hesitant to sign up while there is no guarantee of Champions League football next season. In fact, Spurs’ only hope of getting in the competition now rests with them winning the Europa League.

It’s no secret that Real Madrid are big fans of Romero and have been for some time, and with the player out of contract in 18 months’ time their best chance of recouping a significant fee for his services will come this summer.

And Waddle believes that the Argentina international’s body language suggests that he does not want to extend his stay at the club.

The former Spurs and England winger told aceodds: “Romero is a good, old-fashioned centre-half who’s not afraid to leave his foot in. He’ll hit you if he has to hit you. He’s not afraid of a yellow card or a red.

“His body language after last season suggests he doesn’t really want to be at the club anymore.

“I think he believes he should be at Real Madrid or Barcelona. If he wants to go, it’s better for Tottenham to cash in and buy someone who wants to play for the club.”

Romero, Van de Ven closing in on return

Postecoglou spoke on Friday as to why Romero was able to be involved in training Wednesday morning but was still not ready to return against Leicester.

“We got him back training. Him and Micky [van de Ven] are the next cabs off the rank in terms of the long-term ones. They’ve still got a bit to do in terms of getting some training into them with the team,” said Postecoglou.

“Obviously we haven’t been training a lot and because the other day was sort of low tempo session, it was just good to get him involved, not just for him but the players involved because they need a bit of help and encouragement and Cuti training with them gives them a big lift.

“Micky’s not too far away. These players will come back, knock on wood they’re not deceased, they’re just injured, so they will be all back so it’s not all doom and gloom.

“It’s good to see for the players as he’s joined in training the last couple of days but he’s still got a bit of work to do.”

Daniel Levy could leave Tottenham in the near future after the latest sale hint, according to reports that have emerged on the eve of the home Premier League clash with Leicester City.

The Spurs chairman has been the subject of intense criticism for a number of years in north London and that has been amplified by a disastrous Premier League so far for Ange Postecoglou’s men.

The Australian’s future is currently on a knife edge heading into the must-win Foxes clash, although Tottenham fans were venting the majority of anger at Levy after last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Everton as Postecoglou and the players applauded them for their support.

Spurs have been devastated by injuries for the past couple of months, particularly defensively, while their approach over the summer of signing younger talents to replace experienced performers has also played a part in their struggles.

What looked like it might be a busy January, after the early addition of impressive young keeper Antonin Kinsky, has turned into a damp squib – with plenty of speculation over a striker signing in particular but zero action so far.

The 62-year-old Levy has held his post in N17 since 2001 and there can be little argument that the club has grown significantly in that time, despite not picking up any silverware in 17 years now.

And, despite sitting in a fancy new stadium for almost six years, it’s the latter fact that has irked Tottenham fans – who feel that there has not been enough investment in the first-team squad to end that trophy drought.

But despite Postecoglou’s struggles this season, to go along with some of his shortcomings, Spurs supporters have made it very clear who they would rather see leave.

And, in his Sun on Sunday column, journalist Phil Thomas has hinted that Levy could wave goodbye, writing: “At some point, there will be a sacrifice and at some point, we all know it will be Ange Postecoglou. Spurs fans can scream as loud as they like, it won’t be Daniel Levy.

“Unless someone waves a fat cheque under Levy’s nose, and watch this space for that down the line, he is going nowhere.”

The ‘watch this space’ line is certainly very interesting, given continued talk that Levy could sell up if the right offer was made for the club.

Qatari interest in Tottenham ‘real’

Meanwhile, former Everton chief Keith Wyness insists the Qatari state has a “real interest” in investment at Tottenham going forward.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 67-year-old claimed the state-backed Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) are a “good match” for Spurs.

It was widely reported last year that Levy has been in talks to sell a 10% stake in Tottenham that could value the club at up to £3.75billion.

Levy has held several rounds of talks with QSI president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who is also president at French giants PSG, over investment opportunities in recent years.

That relationship was reportedly renewed this month, when the Tottenham chief jetted out to Paris for in-person negotiations over a potential deal for striker Randal Kolo Muani.

And now Wyness has given his take on potential changes in N17, saying: “The talks between QSI and Spurs have been going on for years now. The first reports were three years ago, when they started discussing a potential deal.

“There’s no doubt there is real interest from Qatar. I think a London club like Spurs fit the profile, but the problem is with PSG and how they’d handle that with the Champions League rules. But at the moment, Spurs aren’t threatening to make the Champions League.

“Qatar like to invest in clubs with big assets, like the new stadium. I do think it would work. We might see something develop out of this.

“Nasser Al-Khelaifi is a very reasonable guy, I’ve met him a few times, and he understands that it will all depend on the QSI’s long-term strategy. But I think it’s a good match.”