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The 2025 UEFA Super Cup will be a spectacle not to be missed, which is not something always said of the European curtain-raiser.

Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain are facing Europa League champions Tottenham in Italy this week, live on talkSPORT.

Spurs are hoping to win their second major piece of silverware in less than three months in Thomas Frank's first competitive game.

The Lilywhites had previously gone 17 years without lifting a trophy before beating Manchester United in May.

In fact, it had been 41 years since Tottenham last won a European title, having beaten Anderlecht in the 1984 UEFA Cup final.

Ironically, it was their Belgian opponents who were once involved in the most farcical Super Cup ever against Spurs' domestic rivals.

In 1978, Liverpool were hoping to do the double over teams from Belgium after beating Club Brugge 1–0 in the European Cup final.

However, the Reds found themselves with it all to do against Anderlecht in the Super Cup following a 3-1 defeat in the first-leg.

“We threw it away, our attitude was wrong and we were careless," Liverpool manager Bob Paisley summised to local media afterwards.

“Anderlecht are a great team going forward, but we never attacked them as we should.

“Our approach seems to have gone a bit wrong and we've lost our scoring touch where earlier in the season our finishing was great."

Liverpool fans hoping to see a response in the second leg were disappointed, but not from a lack of effort on the players' part.

The return meeting at Anfield was staged six days before Christmas, and freezing fog meant the match became part of Liverpool folklore.

Emlyn Hughes and David Fairclough scored in a 2-1 win, but lost 4-3 on aggregate, and the weather became the key talking point.

Conditions proved to be so bad that it made it difficult for supporters to identify players on the pitch.

To the point that Liverpool goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic, deputising for the injured Ray Clemence, was tasked with providing the updates.

Ian Hargraves wrote in his match report: “Hughes’ opening goal was wittily greeted with the chant ‘Oggy, Oggy, tell us who scored!’”

As reported by Liverpool's website, 'Fairclough’s late winner went almost undetected by Kopites at the other end of the ground who had to chant, 'Annie Road, Annie Road, tell us who scored!'"

Liverpool boss Paisley said: “I’m not complaining about the result but it was never a real match. I couldn’t make any substitutions even if I’d wanted because I couldn’t see who was doing what!

“A match like this, between two leading teams, should be played in better weather, say in April.

“I know it's difficult, but it's farcical when good players like these have to slither about in fog and can't see each other."

Referee Nicolae Rainea defended his decision to allow the match to go ahead despite heavy fog, as per archive reports: “When I went out there before kick-off I decided I could see well enough and so I decided to play.

“I am afraid many spectators would not get a very clear view but there was no time I had any thoughts of abandoning the game."

PSG vs Tottenham

Fast forward nearly half a century, and Tottenham fans certaintly won't be able to ask Gianluigi Donnarumma what the score is.

The PSG goalkeeper has been left out of their squad for the clash on Wednesday night, which you can listen to live on talkSPORT.

Donnarumma is out of contract in the French capital at the end of next season, meaning he could leave on a free.

Joao Neves will also miss the Super Cup clash with Tottenham following his red card in the Club World Cup final.

Why have Tottenham not played in the Super Cup before?

Prior to their Bilbao triumph, Spurs have won the Europa League before in its previous guise as the UEFA Cup.

The first was in the inaugural year of the competition in 1972 - the season before the European Super Cup was introduced.

However, until the new millennium, UEFA pitted the Champions League winners against the victors of the defunct Cup Winners' Cup.

The UEFA Super Cup will raise the curtain on the European club season on Wednesday night when Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain take on Europa League heroes Tottenham.

PSG won an unprecedented quadruple last season under Luis Enrique, but they were disappointed to lose the FIFA Club World Cup final in the USA this summer.

Tottenham endured a miserable Premier League campaign under former boss Ange Postecoglou, but he did manage to guide his team to Europa League glory before being replaced by Thomas Frank in the summer.

The two teams meet at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, with the game due to start at 20:00 BST on Wednesday.

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PSG vs Tottenham Tips

Paris Saint-Germain -1 handicap @ 21/20

Both teams to score @ 3/5

Ousmane Dembele to score anytime @ 40/45

Combined Spotlight Bet Builder - was 21/5 now 24/5

PSG to flex their muscles in Udine

PSG cruised to several titles last season and they built their success around their dominance in Ligue 1. Luis Enrique's team won the Ligue 1 crown by 19 points ahead of Marseille, while they also won the Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions and UEFA Champions League.

The French champions beat Brest, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Arsenal and Inter Milan in the knockout stages of the Champions League to win the trophy for the first time and they are expected to have too much class for Tottenham.

Spurs won the Europa League under former boss Postecoglou, but Frank faces a tough challenge in his first competitive match as Tottenham coach.

While PSG lost 3-0 to Chelsea in the Club World Cup final, they won by two clear goals in five of their seven games in the tournament.

Spurs lost 4-0 to Bayern Munich in their most recent friendly, and PSG are a better team than the Bavarians. All signs point to a routine win for Enrique's troops.

Tiredness may help Spurs get on the scoresheet

PSG were relatively dominant at the Club World Cup, as they kept five clean sheets in seven games at the tournament.

Only Botafogo and Chelsea were able to score past PSG's resilient defence, but Spurs may be able to have some joy despite several selection issues.

Frank has lost James Maddison for the majority of the season due to an ACL injury, while Dejan Kulusevski is also sidelined. Striker Dominic Solanke has missed several weeks of pre-season due to injury and Wednesday's game may come too soon.

However, Wednesday's match will be PSG's first for a month and they could be excused for being rusty in the final stages. They should rack up the goals and win comfortably, but Spurs may be able to add a consolation goal in Udine.

Dembele to lead the charge

PSG ace Ousmane Dembele was the star of the show last season for the French club.

He started 20 matches last season in Ligue 1 scoring 21 goals, and he also grabbed six assists.

In Europe, Dembele scored eight goals and provided six assists in 15 appearances in the Champions League and he is the man for the big moment.

Dembele will take on a Spurs defence that has conceded five goals in two games and he has the quality to punish Frank's men.

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Yves Bissouma will not play for Tottenham Hotspur in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain due to ill-discipline.

Spurs will face the Champions League winners on Wednesday, live on talkSPORT, as they battle for more European silverware.

But Bissouma won't feature at Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy as Thomas Frank revealed he reported late for duties on numerous occasions.

"Bissouma has not travelled with the group for disciplinary reasons," the Spurs boss said in his press conference.

Frank added: "He’s been late several times and now this time was just one too many.

"With everything you need to give your players a lot of love and there needs to be demands and consequences."

Last season, Bissouma was suspended by Spurs for posting a video of himself inhaling nitrous oxide on social media.

The midfielder apologised but was not involved in their first Premier League match of the campaign at Leicester City.

Now he will miss the opportunity to win another European trophy with Spurs.

Bissouma played the entirety of the 1-0 Europa League final win over Manchester United in May.

The north London side lifted their first piece of silverware in 17 years as a result.

Europa League success qualifies them for the Super Cup, with PSG in contention for the trophy after their first Champions League win.

Tottenham team news

Frank also provided updates on other members of the Spurs squad ahead of their huge test.

"The players [that are] longer-term are just part of the group. Dom [Solanke] is the positive one, he’s available for selection tomorrow.

"Destiny [Udogie] is closer, and getting closer to training with the group."

He added: "I think I have a good squad. Of course this transfer window we are still in the market. Doing everything we can to make the best possible squad ready for the 1 September.

"There are a few things in the air but the last two days we trained very well."

PSG will be without Joao Neves due to his red card in their Club World Cup final against Chelsea.

Gianluigi Donnarumma is also absent from the squad amid reports of him leaving this summer.

Spurs had a mixed pre-season campaign with wins over Reading and Arsenal before a 4-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.

After the Super Cup, they host Burnley on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.

A trip to Manchester City follows before the visit of Bournemouth, with West Ham and Brighton also making up their first five tests.

Gianluigi Donnarumma will not be involved in the UEFA Super Cup final against Tottenham.

The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper has been left out of their squad for the clash on Wednesday night, which you can listen to live on talkSPORT.

Donnarumma is out of contract in the French capital at the end of next season, meaning he could leave on a free.

However, the Italy star could be sold this summer with Manchester United and Chelsea among the clubs to have been linked with the player.

His expected departure follows the arrival of Lucas Chevalier from Lille with the Frenchman viewed as PSG's no.1 for the foreseeable.

Chevalier has signed a five-year deal with the Champions League winners.

talkSPORT understands PSG consider Chevalier as their new first-choice goalkeeper heading into the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, Donnarumma’s relationship with the club is considered over following his exclusion from the UEFA Super Cup squad.

A move to the Premier League is now seen as the most likely resolution to his future.

He could remain at the club until the expiration of his contract, though.

However, PSG will not offer Donnarumma a new deal and would prefer he leaves the club now.

Donnarumma joined PSG from AC Milan in 2021 but has not extended his initial five-year deal since.

During his time with the club, he has made 161 appearances, keeping 56 clean sheets.

The Italian has also won ten major trophies including the treble last season and four league titles.

PSG face Spurs in the UEFA Super Cup at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy.

UEFA Super Cup team news

Luis Enrique's will be without midfielder Joao Neves for their meeting with the Europa League winners.

The Portuguese is suspended after being sent off in the Club World Cup final against Chelsea.

He was penalised for a hair pull on Marc Cucurella following a VAR review as the Blues ran out 3-0 winners at MetLife Stadium.

As for Spurs, Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie have been named in their 22-man squad list but both remain injury doubts.

Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham will face off in the 2025 UEFA Super Cup this week and it will be live on talkSPORT.

The Super Cup is a one-off match held every year between the Champions League and Europa League winners from the previous season.

After Real Madrid were victorious last year, beating Atalanta 2-0, with Kylian Mbappe scoring on his competitive debut, it is all change this season.

PSG are the kings of Europe after dismantling Inter Milan 5-0 in the final in May, but they did then go to America for the Club World Cup and lost 3-0 to Chelsea in the final.

Meanwhile, it will be a first taste of Europe for Thomas Frank.

The Dane has replaced Ange Postecoglou as the Spurs boss despite the Australian ending the club's trophy drought by winning the Europa League with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United.

UEFA Super Cup: Date and how to follow

The 2025 UEFA Super Cup will take place on on Wednesday, August 13 and kick-off is set for 8pm UK time.

It is being held at the 25,000-capacity Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy - the home of Serie A club Udinese.

talkSPORT will have live coverage of the action, with Adrian Durham serving as your host.

Commentary will be provided by Jim Proudfoot and former Republic of Ireland international Andy Townsend.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

talkSPORT.com will also be right across the action.

UEFA Super Cup: Squads

PSG

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matvei Safonov, Arnau Tenas, Renato Marin

Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Beraldo, Marquinhos, Lucas Hernandez, Nuno Mendes, Noham Kamara, Willian Pacho

Midfielders: Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Kang-in Lee, Senny Mayulu, Warren Zaire-Emery, Joao Neves

Forwards: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Goncalo Ramos, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola, Ibrahim Mbaye

Tottenham

Goalkeepers: Guglielmo Vicario, Antonin Kinsky, Brandon Austin

Defenders: Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso, Destiny Udogie, Ben Davies.

Midfielders: Joao Palhinha, Yves Bissouma, Archie Gray, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr.

Forwards: Mohammed Kudus, Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert, Mathys Tel, Richarlison, Dominic Solanke

UEFA Super Cup: What has been said?

Frank wants Tottenham to be a brave and aggressive team under his guidance.

When introduced as Spurs manager, he said: "I'm very clear on the principles on every phase of the game. I want us to be brave and very aggressive. I also want to attack.

"Brave is absolutely linked [with] 'To dare is to do'. If you are not brave, it is difficult to achieve anything. Brave is crucial. The aggressiveness is crucial if you want to win or achieve something. And you need to attack.

"Coming to a big club, there is pressure. We need to perform, it's me, the staff and the players. We have to do it together.

"I like the ambitions and everything I do, every decision I make so far, is not about surviving one game or one year. It is for the long-run.

"I will do everything, every day, to work towards taking this club to new heights. That is the ambition.

"If I was not ambitious, I would not sit here. I am looking forward to it."

UEFA Super Cup: talkSPORT BET Odds

Match Odds:

PSG - 2/5

Draw - 18/5

Tottenham - 5/1

*odds subject to change. 18+ gambleaware.org

Tottenham are ‘daft’ to pass up the chance to sign Jack Grealish this summer, says Troy Deeney.

The talkSPORT pundit says the Spurs squad still needs major surgery to be competitive this season - particularly after losing two key first-team players.

New manager Thomas Frank was dealt a major blow this week, with news he will be without starting No.10 and vice captain James Maddison for the entire campaign.

The England midfielder suffered an ACL injury in a pre-season game against Newcastle in South Korea, and is now set for surgery before a long rehab process.

The same game also saw the final ever appearance of Heung-min Son in a Tottenham shirt, with the club captain leaving the north London club after ten years to sign for LA FC in Major League Soccer.

While Spurs haven’t exactly been quiet in the transfer window, fans are expecting a number of major arrivals before the September 1 deadline - no doubt Frank will, too.

Mohammed Kudus has arrived from West Ham in a deal worth £55m, while Mathys Tel’s loan from Bayern Munich was made permanent to boost their attacking options.

Joao Palhinha has also arrived on loan from Bayern to bolster the midfielder, while Kevin Danso's loan from Lens was turned into a full-time deal, and young defenders Luka Vuskovic and Kota Takai have also arrived.

As for outgoings, Tottenham made around £19.3million [an MLS-record $26m fee] on Son, as well as around £17m in a deal to sell Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Marseille.

But after losing Maddison to major injury and also missing out on top target Morgan Gibbs-White, who u-turned on his wish to leave Nottingham Forest to then sign a new contract at the City Ground, Deeney insists they need more.

Grealish has been strongly linked with a move to White Hart Lane this summer, although the club has since distanced themselves from a possible move for the Man City outcast.

And Deeney can’t understand why, saying it would be a ‘perfect’ fit.

“With Maddison going down, they have to look at that No.10,” the former Premier League striker told talkSPORT.

“I still think it's a perfect landing spot for Jack Grealish, personally. I think it's a wonderful landing spot.

“We’re being told Tottenham have played down their interest in Jack, but you're talking about someone who has won.

“Whatever people want to say about Jack, he's been at City, he's used to winning, he knows the level, knows the standard, and he's an upgrade on everything Tottenham have got there.

“Maddison won’t play this season and they have missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White.

“So the fact that they're playing their interest in Jack Grealish down, to me, is daft.”

Midfield needs work

Doubts have been raised over Spurs’ move for Palhinha, considering his lack of regular action at Bayern Munich following his move from Fulham, where he established himself as one of the top midfielders in the country.

Deeney doesn’t share those doubts, insisting he instantly upgrades Tottenham’s midfield, but admits they still lack balance in the middle.

“Tottenham need to figure out what that midfield looks like, and I don't think Paulinho is a gamble,” he said.

“When we've done Spurs games I’ve always been worried about their midfield. I don't know who their holder is, who their enforcer is. I think you know what you're getting with Paulinho. He's proper.

“I get that he hasn't played as much and he's not in that vein of form, but I don't think he's put any miles on the clock in Germany and he’s not injured.

“He’s a great player and in my opinion he’s an upgrade on Rodrigo Bentancur.”

Good enough for Champions League?

Tottenham’s Europa League victory booked them a spot in this season’s Champions League, but are they ready to return to Europe’s top table?

The honest answer is, according to Deeney, no. Not currently.

The former Watford star added: “I think it’s a really difficult time for Spurs - can this team compete in the Champions League?

“You look at the two centre-halves, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, if they're fit and available, that's solid. That's very, very good. But are they fit and available enough?

“Then you’ve got Radu Dragusin, who is already injured, and Kevin Danso. He’s done nothing wrong, but he was going to Wolves last year. Let's call it as it is. He was going to Wolves for a reason.

"If you had to play those two in the Champions League game, I think you're in trouble.

“The full-backs are questionable. Where's Jed Spence going to play? Is he going to be your number one? Is Pedro Poro going to be your number one right-back? I'm not sure.

“The goalkeeper, I'm definitely not sure on, personally.

“And what’s going to happen with Richarlison? Because it was thought he was leaving.

“It must be really difficult for Thomas Frank, because he can't move anyone out because no one wants to buy these players because of their injury records - a lot of Spurs players were injured last year - 13 at one point.

“And because they can’t get the players out, he can’t get the people that he wants in, so he's probably going to have to work with what he's got.”

Tottenham fans are fearing the worst after a heavy defeat in their final pre-season outing.

The Europa League winners were thrashed 4-0 by Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Thursday evening.

Goals from Harry Kane, Kingsley Coman, Lennart Karl and Jonah Kusi-Asare completed a rout for the German champions.

It could have been even more comfortable, though, with Kane comicly missing a first-half penalty just minutes after scoring.

The match is the last for Thomas Frank's side before the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain next week.

Spurs face the Champions League winners in Udine next Wednesday ahead of the new Premier League season.

Following their defeat in Munich, fans have called on chairman Daniel Levy to dip back into the transfer market.

Spurs have already spent over £125million on six new signings so far this summer.

Those include the £55million arrival of Mohammed Kudus, whilst Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso's loans have both been made permanent.

Meanwhile, captain Heung-min Son has departed the club just days after James Maddison ruptured his ACL against Newcastle.

Spurs fans react to Bayern defeat

Those blows, paired with the heavy loss to Bayern, have prompted fans to demand Levy further invests in the squad.

Following the match, one fan wrote on X: "Spurs have lost Son, Maddison and brought in (Joao) Palhinha and Kudus for a team that hardly competed last year.

"We now have 50 fixtures minimum and the most injury-prone squad in the Premier League. We need players. It's simple we can't compete."

Another supporter added: "Levy probably still thinks he doesn't need to invest in the squad. We are doomed!"

Despite their 17th place finish last season, Spurs qualified for the Champions League by winning the Europa League in May.

Their involvement means they will contest at least 48 matches across all competitions even if they exit Europe and both domestic cups at the earliest possible stage.

Levy on fan criticism

Levy recently addressed how backlash from supporters affects him as Spurs chairman.

Speaking to The Overlap, he explained: "Of course it hurts but their pain is also my pain. I want to win and when we’re not playing well, and we’re not winning, believe me, I suffer as well.

"It ruins the whole weekend [when we don’t win]. It’s horrible – you’re in this to win and when you don’t win, it’s no fun."

Spurs had been unbeaten in pre-season prior to their clash with Bayern.

Their Asian tour saw them beat north London rivals Arsenal before a draw with Newcastle in South Korea.

Prior to jetting to the Far East, Spurs had faced League One opposition in matches against Reading, Wycombe and Luton without losing.

Harry Kane spectacularly missed the chance to complete a quick-fire double in his latest Tottenham reunion.

The former Spurs striker lined up for Bayern Munich in their pre-season friendly at the Allianz Arena, scoring just 12 minutes into the game.

Just 12 minutes in, Kane had the ball in the back of the net after latching onto a ball over the top.

He controlled Michael Olise's pass brilliantly before firing a low shot past Guglielmo Vicario.

As expected, there was no celebration from the England captain as he showed respect for his former club.

Kane was handed the perfect opportunity to add to his tally just moments later.

Spurs debutant Joao Palhinha, who signed on loan from Bayern on Sunday, brought down Josip Stanisic inside the penalty area.

The goalscorer stepped up from 12 yards only to slip as he struck the ball, sending it soaring over the bar and into the crowd.

His miss spared Palhinha's blushes as he returned to his parent club just days after leaving.

Although it won't spare Kane's blushes, with one fan declaring: "Worst penalty I've ever seen."

It's Kane's second appearance against his old club since completing a £100million switch to Germany in 2023.

Kane had made a cameo appearance off the bench at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last summer.

The Portuguese has joined Thomas Frank's side on a season-long loan with the option to make the deal permanent next summer.

If triggered, the clause would see Palhinha complete a £26million switch to north London.

Kane's miss bore a striking resemblance to his shocking miss against France at the 2022 World Cup.

On that occasion, having already scored from the spot, he missed the chance to equalise for the Three Lions in their quarter-final defeat.

That miss was Kane's last in a competitive match from 12 yards and is only the 11th of his career.

Overall, he has converted from the spot 89 times, with 21 of those coming for Bayern.

Since joining the German giants, Kane has added to his prolific scoring habits from the Premier League.

His tally of 62 goals in 63 league outings has seen him win back-to-back Bundesliga golden boots.

Kane is the first player to achieve the feat in his first two seasons in the league.

Kane's record against Spurs

Kane's goal was his first against Spurs since leaving for Bayern two summers ago.

However, neither of his two meetings with his old side have been in competitive fixtures.

The two clubs met in a pre-season match at Spurs last summer just days after a clash in Seoul, South Korea as part of their respective Asian tours.

On that occasion, he failed to find the target after coming off the bench, having missed the match in Asia following Euro 2024.

Kane also refused to lift the Visit Malta Cup in front of the Spurs fans as Bayern were crowned winners of the summer tournament.

The 32-year-old is Spurs’ all-time top scorer after finding the net 280 times in 435 appearances across all competitions.

Daniel Levy should be considered the best chairman in the Premier League, believes ex-Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Townsend said that he rates Levy higher than anyone else in his position in the top-flight.

Levy has been Spurs' chairman since 2001, and in that time, the club has been transformed on and off the pitch.

They have a brilliant, modern stadium that is viewed as one of the finest sporting arenas in the world as well as a new training ground.

The team are also regularly in Europe, while commercially, they are one of the richest clubs in the world.

However, Spurs supporters often criticise Levy for not investing in the playing squad and for the club failing to win enough trophies.

Of course, that drought ended earlier this year when Spurs claimed the Europa League trophy in May.

But after a terrible domestic campaign where they came 17th in the Premier League table, Levy still sacked Ange Postecoglou and replaced him with Thomas Frank.

And despite all the criticism, Townsend is a staunch defender of Levy, saying: "I've said it before and I am not afraid to say it.. I'll get some stick, but I think he's the best chairman in the Premier League by far.

"Where he's taken Spurs from then to where they are today, it's chalk and cheese.

"I remember ten years ago, Spurs were a mid-table club, playing in front of 25,000, not generating enough funds to be able to compete at the top level.

"Now they have a brand new stadium and brand new straining ground. They are competing at the top level, and they are in the Champions League and won the Europa League.

"They are considered a big six side when before, it was the big four, and they've broken into that because of the brand they've created off the pitch."

However, the former England international does think Levy made a mistake with Mauricio Pochettino.

After Spurs reached the 2018/19 Champions League final, the following summer didn't go to plan, and Pochettino was sacked to be replaced by Jose Mourinho five months after their defeat to Liverpool in Madrid.

"I think he made one mistake that was after the Champions League final when he didn't back [Mauricio] Pochettino," Townsend.

"I think he's big enough and brave enough to admit that was his one mistake, but with everything else, he's one of the best in the business."

During that summer, Christian Eriksen and Kieran Trippier departed the club.

Levy did splash out a then club-record fee of £63million on Tanguy Ndombele, but the midfielder was unable to get fit throughout his five years at the club.

Ryan Sessegnon and Giovani Lo Celso also arrived to bolster the first team.

Jack Clarke also came in but was immediately loaned back to Leeds United.

So, that was only three first-team additions to the squad, but with Trippier and Eriksen leaving, the team only had one extra player.

The season started reasonably for Pochettino and Spurs, losing just one of their first six games.

However, a 7-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League was followed by a 3-0 loss against Brighton.

And after a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United, Pochettino was dismissed.

Mourinho and Antonio Conte followed but didn't bring trophies or league success.

And since, Levy has admitted sacking Pochettino was one of the hardest things he's ever done.

“It is not something I ever wanted," Levy said. Personally, it was incredibly difficult, I told him that and he understood. He's been in football, he understands.

“It's not personal and I'm sure he'll come back stronger and get an opportunity to manage another great club.”

Heung-min Son has admitted that joining Los Angeles FC wasn't his first choice after departing Tottenham.

Son officially left Tottenham after a decade on Wednesday, heading to the MLS in a new record deal worth £20million.

The 33-year-old shared an emotional goodbye message to his teammates and said his farewells to fans this week.

He made his final appearance in a Spurs shirt in a friendly against Newcastle last weekend in Seoul, South Korea.

Son was then officially unveiled by LAFC a few days later, signing an initial two-year deal with the MLS side.

But it was whilst speaking at his Los Angeles unveiling that the ex-Tottenham captain made a shock admission.

He revealed: "They've been absolutely working so hard to get me here to join LAFC.

"If I'm honest, it was not my first choice.

"But John [Thorrington, LAFC general manager] was the first call when the season finished and he changed my mind, he changed my heart, changed my brain.

"He showed me the destination where I should be. Now I'm here, I'm more than happy, I'm so excited."

Son also attracted interest from Saudi clubs Al Ahli, Al Nassr, and Al Qadisah once his future at Spurs was being questioned.

Turkish sides were linked too, with his other options possibly taking his fancy more at first, but he has now ended up in LA.

What else did Son say?

Speaking at his unveiling, Son also discussed the Korean fans supporting LAFC and what he will bring to the team.

"I saw all of the Korean fans outside," he said. "Yesterday I was at the game watching you supporting like crazy, it was insane, I just wanted to run onto the pitch and show my performance."

"I'm here to win and I will perform. I will definitely show you something exciting… are we calling it football or soccer?" he joked.

"I will definitely show you some exciting football, and we will have success."

Son added: "I felt like I gave it all [at Tottenham], but I felt like I needed a new challenge and I chose LAFC.

"I'm old, but I still have good physicality and I still have good quality."

Why did Son leave Spurs?

Before he officially joined LAFC, Son said goodbye to his Tottenham family in a teary-eyed message.

Explaining why he decided to leave, he said: "To all the Spurs fans. I mean, it’s such a hard decision that I will leave the Spurs family.

"It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. And as I say, there’ll be no forever and I gave (my) all."

He continued: "I know it sounds very surprising, I know it sounds very hard. Because I gave (my) all, I feel like I need a new chapter.

"So it was probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. So please don’t be disappointed.

"I will be disappointed not seeing you on the pitch."