talkSPORT

On one person he would love for England

"Rodri...but not injured", Tuchel joked.

He then got serious when asked to explain his post-match comments about adjusting expectations.

Tuchel added: "Maybe we need to get our expectations right. For example, they [Senegal] arrived with the objective to win and to make history, we arrived with the objective of winning.

"Would we have had the same joy as them, if we won? I don't think so, I include myself.

"I would have been positive in my feedback, I wouldn't have screamed, I wouldn't have put my fist on the boxes to make noises in the dressing room and they did all this.

"You felt more joy in their game than you felt in ours, so it made me question do we hold ourselves back."

"We set the standards and demands high, but at a point, do we not need to accept the quality on the other side?

"Celebrate the goals more, be more happy, and also create an environment where the players feel they can express that joy more lively.

"Or is it just not in us? Is it a way of lifestyle connected to different cultures?

"I don't have the answers, but I think that it's important from camp to camp to get the expectations right from the Andorra match, the Senegal match, in the next international window, then it becomes easier to express our joy."

On Bellingham's best position

On what is Bellingham's best position: "That is a question that applies to many of our players.

"From outside, I thought for many years he could be a six and an eight. Then he had an amazing season as a false nine in Real Madrid. where he scored and scored and created chances.

"I see still that hunger - in our first match against Albania, his diving header in the box, the hunger to go with his body in front of the defender, to dive into this ball without any fear.

It just shows me the determination he has to be on the scoreboard, to have his name there. It's a good thing that I see.

"I see what I normally only see in strikers.

"I think now he is more a ten or eight than a six, eight - maybe a 10!

"I struggle to see that [that England would be better without Bellingham]. I think it has to be the other way around, how we can see the best version of him, the best acceptance, that people understand what he is bringing to us, that he is bringing a certain edge.

"But I see sometimes that it can create mixed emotions.

"I see this with my parents, with my mum, that she cannot see the nice, well-educated and well-behaved guy that I see.

"If he smiles, he wins everyone [over], but sometimes you see the hunger and the rage and the fire.

"It can come out in a way that can be a bit repulsive for example, for my mother when she sits in front of the TV. I see that.

"But in general, we are very happy to have him, he's a special boy."

Bellingham 'brings an edge'

Tuchel was asked if Jude Bellingham is key to England's success: "That's basically how I feel. He has a certain something and brings an edge. It's needed if we want to achieve big things.

"It needs to be channelled towards the opponent and towards our goal, and not to intimidate team-mates or be aggressive towards team-mates of opponents.

"He has the fire - I don't want to dim this down, he should play with this kind of fire, that's his strength.

"But the fire comes with some attributes that can intimidate you, maybe even if you are a team-mate. Sometimes you see the explosion towards referees and the anger.

"If you can channel it in the right way, then we can help him with this, then he has the certain something we need.

"That edge is hard to find."

Is Bellingham difficult to manage?

"No, not at all. He's a nice kid, very open, very intelligent."

Tuchel: 'I will always be tempted to stay'

England boss Thomas Tuchel on his future after the World Cup and whether he might stay on for Euro 2028: "I like the question after yesterday, really!

"I will always be tempted to stay because I love the group and I love the opportunity, it's an honour to be English head coach.

"I know a big tournament is coming up in England, and I will always be tempted. I can tell you that even after the disappointing result yesterday.”

When asked if he would stay even if England don’t win the World Cup, he said: “If you ask me today, yes. I feel that I’m in the right place and enjoy where I am.

“I love the new challenge. I wanted a new challenge and a new environment. I feel the support, the trust and respect of the people in the federation.

“I love the group of players and want to push them. It just feels right, and it’s a clear yes from my side."

"[I love] the chance to be close to the Premier League, but also to update myself and to have input from various people, from people from rugby, from the army, from the Royal Air Force, how to build teams and rhythm, reflect on it, see a different side of high level football.

"To have a chance to pick a squad without the transfer period. It's the right challenge for me at the moment, it is a challenge, it is a big challenge, that's absolutely clear that it's a big challenge, but I love it."

On what he does to relax away from football: "You try to have routines, morning breath work, meditation. I meet friends, have coffee with friends, and chit-chat about nothing.

"I can spend hours in bookstores. I can endlessly spend time looking at real estate, interior design and architecture."

'Liverpool and Arsenal will have huge advantage'

Tuchel discussed whether the Club World Cup will hamper the real thing next summer, with several of his Chelsea players involved.

On a lag effect: "I would love to say next June that it will be June for everyone, and everyone will have had long seasons.

"I've just learnt now that we, England, don't have a good record in the June friendlies, before tournaments and in qualifying matches, and sadly we added one yesterday to the negative record.

"The schedule becomes very, very competitive, they go from the Euros to the Club World Cup, and then the World Cup.

"There's one season when the national break has holidays.

"On the other hand, I think teams like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Newcastle will have a huge advantage in next season's Premier League title race to have this time now, to have a halfway decent pre-season in the plan and build-up of the players' physical performances, because the players can rest now."

"There were not enough English players in the Champions League semi-finals this year, not even in the quarter-finals.

"We also want to have more English players at the end of these European competitions to prove their quality in these European matches because it helps us then this experience to build a strong team."

'Club World Cup is too long'

On the expanded Club World Cup: "It's very different [from when I won it with Chelsea in 2022, I think we had one or two matches.

"I think it's a long format. I can understand the excitement if I was a little boy to watch Bayern Munich, and Manchester City vs Juventus."

"But I feel it is too long, the amount of time the players will spend in the USA and hotel rooms, the travel feels heavy on their shoulders.

"Playing such a long tournament after such a long competitive season gives me a bit of goosebumps.

"But I am a little biased. I understand that once it starts, players will get excited and get ambitious to add another trophy. But it's a long time for the players to be constantly switched on."

Tuchel on the U21s

Tuchel on the U21 Euros: "It is the same time [that he is over in America], but if Lee makes it to the final, then we will be sure to be there."

Does Tucjel have a question: "No, no, no, I send him my regards and my best wishes. I know his line-up for tomorrow, and I know the structure of his formation.

"But I know the stress from injuries and late pull-outs because of the Club World Cup, so I hope spirits are up and he pulls his magic and builds a strong group, so send him my best regards, and my best wishes, so no question from me, he has a game tomorrow."

'Next week we will go to America'

On World Cup preparation this summer: "That's a kind of balance that you have to get used to because as a club manager, you look two weeks ahead, and then you go every three days, that's the kind of rhythm and you push everyone to have the longest season possible to reach finals.

"You don't look too much ahead to get distracted.

"So, that means, we go now, first we quality, and then we look at camps then we think about the World Cup, which is not possible from a logistics point of view.

"You have to think about hotels and base camps now in terms of reserving them and making sure that we have the best possible environment to be successful.

"That means that next week we will go to America to look at clubs, training facilities around the Club World Cup.

"Feel and observe what it's like for European teams to play at 3 o'clock in Miami.

"Drinks, cooling systems, all these things.

"As a club coach, I don't feel comfortable doing all this while we are still in the qualification process, but it's necessary; the focus will be right to make sure we have the qualification right."

Why not give more youngsters chance in friendlies?

Great question from a talkSPORT caller!

Tuchel: "Yeah, fair enough, especially after yesterday, fair enough, good question.

"I am aware that Kyle Walker got a lot of criticism for his performance yesterday. I'm sure that we are all aware he did not have his best day.

"Trent [Alexander-Arnold] was also out of rhythm later in the week, so it was also about alternatives, who can be with us.

"We decided to give, for example, Tino Livramento, the chance to play his last tournament for the Under-21, which is a high valuable tournament for us to see him there in a leadership role, taking responsibility, knowing that it is on his shoulders.

"We didn't make it easy with the nomination. I can see the question - We thought about Adam Wharton, but he had a concussion, issue around the final.

"We had long discussions with Lee Carsley and we decided in this case [Livramento] to play the U21s, because it's his last chance for him to be nominated for the U21s, from September he has to fight his way into our team.

"So these were the decisions, I think we did a lot of changes yesterday - If you look at the line-up from Senegal, they played with their strongest, most competitive team possible who fought for the places against [the Republic of] Ireland, and we decided in the end to put a very serious team with a lot of experience and was also a success from the first camp, and against Andorra.

"Sending Jordan Henderson home at the moment is not an option, because he brings the best out of other players, he has a huge impact into the group."

"Kyle deserved to be in because of what he did in the last camp."

Tuchel on if he is aware of negative fan reaction on Henderson inclusion

"I am, until now, not aware of it, to be honest.

"We were convinced about this move to bring him back, and since I met him in person and since I saw him and observed him in camp, I am more convinced than ever that he is a very important addition to this group.

"Especially when we talk about connections, especially when we talk about setting standards and keeping the group up to the standards.

"He is at the moment the man that I don't want to miss."

Describing what Henderson brings to the squad, Tuchel remarked: "He is still lean, he is still fit.

"He is still ready to push on a level that matches international level. I am convinced he is still ambitious.

"He pushes the group, he takes care of training, he takes care of the attitude, he brings actually players together.

"So we see different better versions of players when Jordan is in camp than if he is not in camp, and that is all I can say."

On Trent Alexander-Arnold

The form of Alexander-Arnold, who didn't play a minute yesterday, should he flourish at Real Madrid but not suit Tuchel's England.

"That would be a hard choice, then it depends completely on us, if we have a similar structure and similar players, because we desperately want to have him in the team.

"He gives us something unique and can make connections with teammates and boost chemistry, then we will try to use him.

"If he gives us something unique, then we will make sure that he has his place - But that applies to any player.

"If not, then we will always value the team more than individual quality, in the end, at international level, it's so important that we arrive with the right team and that everyone in the team knows before, first that we have to quality, that everyone knows their role, why he is there, and what they have to give to the group and from there we go."

'The team will always come first'

Pearce: Does the individual have to step back for the fluidity of the team?

Tuchel told talkSPORT: "Gareth [Southgate] tried it, and Lee [Carsley] tried to bring the talent together and the quality.

"I am trying now at the moment, and still we feel we are lacking the enthusiasm and joy consistently on the international level.

"I have to underline that, the individual has to take a step back for the greater good.

"It's on us to find the right mixture 100 percent, the right chemistry in the team, the right connections, that they enjoy to play with each other - we haven't done this yet.

"The first camp was good, the second camp was a bit of a mixture. Not a disaster, but a mixture if we are looking at it honestly.

"In November, it gets more competitive and more straightforward in the squad selection because we enter a World Cup year."

Tuchel: 'Kane is our captain and a goal scorer'

Tuchel told Durham: "I'm not even sure that he [Harry Kane] can't do it [press from the front], because he did it with Bayern Munich almost in a one-on-one in the opponent's half.

"Harry, very committed to everything what we did - maybe the formation yesterday, and the courage within the formation, the high press was not there.

"Yesterday, we needed for the high press we lacked the courage of pushing with the wingers higher, and then pushing through the back four to push the fullbacks through when the winger goes, the fullback follows and we end up in a 3-on-3 in the backline.

"Maybe we got a little bit better in the half-time when we encouraged everyone to do so.

"At the moment, [Kane] is our captain and a goal-scorer. I think he's scored four goals in four matches since I'm on the job, and I think we can expect to press with him high, but then we need to be brave from behind."

Pearce: England don't play high intensity often enough

Tuchel replied: "I agree 100 per cent!

"Everything to play with high energy, but we don't see it often enough on the international level is my observation.

"That's exactly the point, and exactly what we focus on, basically how we are on the job, 'how can we inject this massively'.

"Maybe you know [Pearce] better than me, I think it's massively about connections with the team, it generates a genuine joy to play together that we find easily every time we come to camp, that it's not every time a new start.

"So, it was a little bit of a false new start that was brought on by me, the coaching staff, because we brought on new players, invited new players and tried new formations.

"Maybe I have to take this responsibility, but we are looking deeply into exactly that - 'How can we transfer this joy that the guys have, and the quality, into the joy to express themselves on the field.

"I agree with you 100 per cent, I enjoyed the energy from the bench, the three substitutions after 58/60 minutes, and the two substitutions after 70 minutes made me directly connect with the team on your level, because I thought 'oh, what's happening now'.

"We suddenly have courage, we are half open in open body positions, we turn, we try to play upfront, we create deliveries, so it was a completely different dynamic."

Tuchel on the transition from club football

Tuchel told talkSPORT: "It's not so easy because now I have to digest, now I have maybe a better insight.

"I already have a better idea of where to go next, but like you said, it's not the players coming in, in the next hour, and I can direct it towards them, and also give them the outlook and perspective of this is where we are going from now.

"This is very, very different - I think, and I'm still convinced, that the first camp was a big success, everything that we did, and started building.

"We did some experiments in the second camp, not everything was bad - there were some good spells in it during this week.

"But, of course, the two games were not good enough.

"It's a hard learning, and a difficult learning, but it brings clarity every match that we play together, everything that we try brings clarit,y and it will help us to mould the team and will help us to find solutions."

Tuchel analyses Senegal defeat

Thomas Tuchel joined talkSPORT's England correspondent Faye Carruthers post-match following the 3-1 defeat to Senegal.

Asked what he's learnt since that interview, Tuchel added: "New insights - not everything I can tell from the public.

"If I don't like it after a defeat, it has to be put into context, so we tried 21 players in 72 hours, we faced a very strong opponent who were ready to make history, who played the opportunity to win the friendly in June with more hunger than us.

"I think they had a clear target, I know from the players that I know from Senegal that they had a clear target to make history; to beat England for the first time, they had something bigger than just a friendly, and this is how they acted.

"I'm not saying that we had the wrong attitude.

"I felt us committed, I felt us focused and well-prepared and ready for the same match, and still, you could see that we lacked connections on the pitch.

"You could see that we lacked connections between the players in terms of distances, and combinations with each other.

"But also in terms of communication, and in terms of joy in major parts of the match. It got better in the second-half, and it got better after 60 minutes, but that's basically the main points."

Tuchel is here

England boss Thomas Tuchel has joined Adrian Durham and Stuart Pearce live now - which you can watch along above!

"Not so good, was a short night, after the match yesterday", was Tuchel's first verdict.

"I'm a little shocked I'm in the picture, I thought you did radio and it didn't matter how I looked..." the England manager joked.

Tuchel added: "Disappointed, of course, was a short night as always, we hate to lose, and I was not happy with the performance.

"The way we lost, we lost at home, the fact that we lost didn't make me sleep good, it was a short night, now that we had a long debrief with the staff after the second camp.

"Now it gets better step by step because once you do the debrief and dig into little clips and dig deeper, analyse what happened within the camp, then straight away comes the step where you go towards solutions, and this helps me process it.

"But right now it's not digested yet!"

Nwaneri reveals Ballon d’Or aim and teammates aren’t shocked

CJ Egan-Riley, one of Ethan Nwaneri's England Under-21 teammates, believes there's no reason why the Arsenal teenager can't achieve his goal.

In fact, Egan-Riley 'wouldn't really be surprised' if Nwaneri becomes the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to win football's greatest individual prize.

"The last camp that we came on, for me, he was the best player," Egan-Riley told talkSPORT.

"From the first day when I saw him in training, I was like, 'He's special'.

"Of course, there' so, so many good players there, but considering he's just turned 18 and it's an under-21s tournament and he's 18, so he can probably play in the next two of these.

"Which is crazy to me, because for most of us here, this would probably be our last chance to play in the Under-21s.

"So just considering his age and how mature he is for his age and his football brain and just how good he is with the football at his feet and how hard we works, I have no doubt he could go to the very top."

More from O’Hara

He added: "We've got to perform to get there [World Cup 2026], and you've got to perform when you get there as well.

"But you've got to have fresh, young players, vibrant, who want to play for England, know what it's about.

And I saw tonight with some old heads who really, truthfully, haven't got the legs anymore."

It was a view shared by Cundy, who went on to criticise Walker for his role in Senegal's equaliser through Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr.

He remarked: "That's his job, between now and the World Cup, to get the decisions right, whether it be the squad players and his first XI.

"Today was just a friendly, and the reason he made ten changes was to look at other players. I get why he's done that.

"It wasn't his best side put out. It wasn't his strongest XI. There were some strange decisions.

"Playing Reece James at left-back. Don't fully grasp [why], but he'll learn.

"Kyle Walker, their equaliser, Kyle Walker's gone to sleep and that Kyle Walker that I saw winning major honours for Manchester City, he don't sleep in those situations. He reads that.

"He's too experienced, too good a right-back, and today he got done. And that cost us.

"That was the goal that got them back into it. Deserved, by the way."

Walk out

Kyle Walker and Jordan Henderson should be nowhere near the England squad.

That's the view of ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O'Hara, who has had his say on the Three Lions following Tuesday night's shock 3-1 defeat to Senegal at the City Ground.

The pair boast a combined 180 England caps, but a combined age of 69, and their form has taken a dip in the last 18 months.

Manchester City shipped out Walker to AC Milan for the second half of the 2024/25 season, while Henderson is currently on the books at Ajax following a spell in Saudi Arabia with Al Ettifaq.

Speaking on talkSPORT Drive, former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy insisted that England are currently a level below World Cup rivals such as Argentina, France and Spain, stating Tuchel has 'a year to get this right.'

His comments led O'Hara to say: "I think he needs to bin some of the old heads.

"I think he needs to accept that this is a new era of new, fresh, young players.

"Morgan Gibbs-White, [Eberechi] Eze, Cole Palmer, these players are the future of England now.

"And I think you've got to make some big decisions going into this World Cup next year and go, 'Kyle Walker, thank you mate, It's time to move on.'

"There's certain players… 'Jordan Henderson, sorry, it's time to move on.'"

Nu beginnings

talkSPORT understands Darwin Nunez is likely to leave Liverpool this summer.

It's thought the club are seeking north of €70million (£59m), with the 25-year-old drawing interest from Saudi Arabia.

Al-Hilal contacted Liverpool on Monday to ask for the conditions of a deal.

Al-Nassr had a €70m bid rejected in January, and Liverpool are using this number as a yardstick for valuation.

FSG's CEO of Football, Michael Edwards, and sporting director Richard Hughes decided not to sell Nunez mid-season, believing the Uruguay international would be better served helping Liverpool win the Premier League title.

Liverpool paid a club-record £85m for Nunez when he joined from Benfica in June 2022. Recouping a large proportion of this figure is a priority, especially with Liverpool looking to add another striker this summer.

talkSPORT understands Liverpool have also come to their valuation based on Nunez's record as a Liverpool starter.

In 49 starts, Nunez has scored 25 goals and provided 13 assists. That's essentially a goal every two games and an assist every four.

Liverpool plan to stick to their €70m+ valuation even with a non-Saudi bidder.

Nunez has not closed the door on a move to the Saudi Pro League, and dealmakers feel a decisive bid early in the window could prove successful, especially knowing European clubs may not match Liverpool’s asking price.

Whether or not that comes from Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr again, or another Saudi club is still under discussion. Hilal's enquiry was more framed around a last-ditch bid to find a striker before the Club World Cup, having failed to land Victor Osimhen and was one of several enquiries made on a frantic June 10 deadline day.

However, Nunez is understood to be interested in a move to either Italy or Spain.

talkSPORT understands that Atletico Madrid hold a genuine interest.

Liverpool are already assessing options to replace Nunez internally. Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko and Joao Pedro are among the names considered.

Ange Postecoglou has been tipped to succeed Steve Clarke as the next Scotland manager.

The Australian is out of work after being axed as Tottenham boss last Friday despite leading the club to Europa League success.

Postecoglou oversaw a tumultuous campaign that saw Spurs finish just one place above the bottom three having fallen to a whopping 22 league defeats.

Despite that, the 59-year-old did his reputation no harm by ending Tottenham’s 17-year wait for a trophy with victory over Manchester United in Bilbao last month.

The victory will see Postecoglou inevitably gain suitors with a move back to Scottish football already being mooted.

He spent two years as Celtic boss between 2021 and 2023 winning five trophies including back-to-back Scottish Premier League titles while completing the domestic Treble in his final season.

Meanwhile, current Scotland manager Clarke has a little over a year left on his existing deal which takes him up until the end of next year’s World Cup.

Clarke has been in the post since 2019 and thrilled fans last year by steering his side to Euro 2020 qualification – their first major tournament appearance since the 1998 World Cup.

He backed up his heroics with Euro 2024 qualification however his current deal is likely to be his last.

Discussing Scotland’s next move on talkSPORT, former striker Ally McCoist believes Postecoglou would be a more than able replacement for Clarke.

“He’d do me absolutely. I wouldn't have a problem with it at all. He wins things,” McCoist said.”

“Steve Clarke has done an excellent job for Scotland and hopefully he can get us over the line in the [World Cup] qualifiers against Denmark, Greece and Belarus.

“It’s a good group for us," the former Rangers ace said. “We’ve got a good opportunity of doing well in the qualifiers but moving on if you’re asking me if I’d have a problem with Big Ange managing the national team? I wouldn’t have a problem at all.”

McCoist has maintained his backing for Postecoglou in the face of his recent sacking with Brentford manager Thomas Frank set to take over at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Fans were split on whether the Aussie should have been given a third season in the dugout after landing an ever-elusive trophy.

McCoist was firmly in the ‘Ange in’ camp claiming that although the league season was unacceptable, there was more to be positive about than the other way round.

“I don't think it was the right decision to get rid of Ange, to be honest with you. That's the first thing I would say. I know the league position is unacceptable, I totally get that.

"But I felt he made it crystal clear that he threw all his eggs in one basket towards the end of the season, Jeff, in my opinion. I think he was unlucky with injuries as well,” McCoist added.

“That said, the level of performance in the league was not good enough or anything like good enough. I understand that. However, the pluses for me far, far, outweigh the minuses.

“You know, to win a European trophy, to win a trophy, first trophy in 17 years, first European trophy in I don't know how many years, and get them into the Champions League next year. I thought it gave him enough credit at the bank to keep his job, at the very least.

“Clearly that's not the case. I think Thomas Frank, he's proved himself at Brentford, he's a more than capable coach and manager. I can see that happening, I can see him moving on to certainly a bigger club in the shape of Tottenham.

"I think he's probably due his chance, he's due his opportunity with the job he's done, but I still think it's harsh on big Ange, I really do.”

Tottenham are set to take a manager from a Premier League rival and not for the first time.

Thomas Frank is set to swap Brentford for Spurs as Ange Postecoglou's replacement.

The north London club will hope it will be a little less controversial than when Glenn Hoddle joined from Southampton.

It seems almost inconceivable that the Saints once believed they were a bigger club than Tottenham Hotspur.

Whether it's the gargantuan differences in stadium size, squad value or stature, Tottenham out-point Southampton in just about every way today.

But at the turn of the century, the gulf between the two was nowhere near as vast.

And, perhaps more surprisingly, there was genuine bad blood.

Glenn Hoddle was dismissed as England manager in February 1999 following his controversial comments in which he claimed people with disabilities was 'karma working from another lifetime'.

Hoddle insisted he had been misquoted, but widespread condemnation and a public denouncing from former prime minister Tony Blair gave the Football Association little choice but to sack him.

But the Tottenham icon was out of managerial work for less than a year as he returned to the dugout in January 2000 with Southampton.

At his unveiling, Saints chairman Rupert Lowe could barely hide his excitement at having secured a manager of Hoddle's calibre.

"We feel sure that everyone within the club family will give Glenn their unequivocal support," Lowe said.

"The club considers itself fortunate that it can draw on Glenn's experience at this time."

Hoddle arrived on the south coast with the Saints in 16th.

From the club's final 16 games, Hoddle oversaw six wins, three draws and seven defeats to finish 15th, 11 points clear of the relegation zone.

The Saints' 2000/01 campaign got off to a slow start under Hoddle as they were winless from their first five league matches and had two wins to their name after 11 games.

But from early December onwards, things clicked into gear for Hoddle's side as they went on a run of eight wins in 13 fixtures to propel them into the top half of the Premier League table.

The eighth win on that run, a 1-0 victory over Everton, proved to be Hoddle's final game in charge.

His boyhood club Tottenham had come calling, this time for his managerial services.

When the call came through, there was only one place Hoddle was going to end up and it made him public enemy no.1 amongst the Saints supporters.

Southampton ultimately ended the season in tenth, the first time in six years they'd recorded a top-half finish.

But the fury surrounding Hoddle's mid-season exit was not forgotten by those at Southampton.

Ahead of the Saints' trip to White Hart Lane in September 2001, Lowe did not miss his chance to take a swipe at Hoddle and the entirety of Tottenham.

"We have a new stadium that is comparable with that of Tottenham's," Lowe said.

"We can fill it and we have great supporters.

"We finished two places above them last season. Who's the bigger club?"

The new stadium Lowe mentioned was St Mary's, which replaced The Dell and was opened in time for the 2001/02 season.

Southampton's players were equally as up for the contest as Lowe was, with striker James Beattie claiming the players 'all know why' fans were desperate for them to win.

"There is no bitterness towards Glenn, but the fact remains he left us in the lurch," Beattie said.

"I feel we have a score to settle and there would be no better place to do it than in his own backyard.

"I can think of no better place to get our first win. It is just what we need to get our season going.

"Just as important, our supporters would appreciate it. And we all know why."

Despite the build-up from the Saints' side, Hoddle and Spurs prevailed 2-0.

Hoddle's side would also finish the season ninth in the Premier League, two places above Southampton.

The 62-year-old would eventually be dismissed in September 2003 following a poor start to the season in which his side collected just four points from the first six games.

In a brutal twist of fate, his final match at the White Hart Lane helm was a 3-1 defeat to the Saints.

The two teams have embarked on vastly different paths since, rendering Lowe's question a rather easy one to answer.

Tottenham Hotspur's trophy haul could come like buses with their Europa League triumph seeing them qualify for a little-known competition.

A painful 17-year drought without a trophy for Spurs finally came to an end last month as they claimed a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final.

The result also sees them qualify for the UEFA Super Cup, where they will take on European champions Paris Saint-Germain in August.

But fewer fans will be aware of another trophy Spurs are eligible to compete for as a result of their Europa League triumph: the UEFA–CONMEBOL Club Challenge.

The UEFA-CONMEBOL Challenge is a competition that was first launched in 2023 as a follow-up to the previous Supercopa Euroamericana.

It sees the winners of the Europa League come up against the winners of the South American equivalent.

Argentine club Racing Club de Avellaneda won the last edition of the Copa Sudamericana with a win over Brazilian club Cruzeiro last November.

However, there are concerns over whether the Tottenham Hotspur vs Racing Club showpiece will ever take place.

Last year's UEFA-CONMEBOL Challenge didn't happen with Italian club Atalanta unable to schedule a fixture with Ecuadorian side Liga de Quito.

Sevilla are thus the reigning champions of the UEFA-CONMEBOL Challenge, winning the inaugural edition of the tournament with a victory over Ecuador-based club Independiente del Valle at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in July 2023.

Racing Club's president is former Inter Milan and Argentina forward Diego Milito, who is said to be keen to arrange the fixture with Spurs.

The Sun reports that the match could take place in Argentina or in the USA.

But Football.London reports that UEFA have doubts over whether a slot to fit in the game can be found.

Spurs already have three friendlies in three different countries lined up, including a showdown with Arsenal in Hong Kong on July 31.

They then move onto South Korea where they will face Newcastle before facing Harry Kane's Bayern Munich at the home of the German giants on August 7.

Whether the UEFA-CONMEBOL Challenge clash happens or not, Spurs will be without the man who guided them to Europa League success in Ange Postecoglou, who was relieved of his duties as head coach last week.

talkSPORT understands Brentford boss Thomas Frank has verbally agreed to take the job.

Spurs will have to pay the Bees £9million in order to get the deal done, however.

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A text exchange with Tottenham star Yves Bissouma has proved just how close the bond was between Ange Postecoglou and his players.

The Australian was brutally shown the door by the north London club last Friday and it sparked a wave of gratitude from his former troops on social media.

Captain Heung-Min Son, Richarlison, James Maddison, Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven and Lucas Bergvall were among the lengthy list to thank Postecoglou for his mentorship in a footballing and life capacity.

But Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma has gone a step further.

The Mali international shared a heartwarming text exchange between himself and Postecoglou to his social media, further highlighting just how close the bond was between the former Celtic boss and his players.

In the picture, Postecoglou wrote to Bissouma: "Hi Biss. Sorry I missed your call.

"I am very proud of you. It was an honour to share a dressing room with you and appreciate how much you believed in what we were trying to achieve.

"I wish you only the best for the future. I will always be following. Much love from my family to yours."

Bissouma replied: "Thank you gaffer and thank you really much for everything you did for me on and off the pitch, I'll always be grateful.

The midfielder was especially thankful for 'the way you believed me and trusted me' as he wished Postecoglou all the best for the future.

Postecoglou concluded: "Always by your side Biss."

Bissouma joined Tottenham from Brighton for an initial £25million in June 2022 when Antonio Conte was in charge.

Although the defensive midfielder made 28 total appearances in his debut campaign with the club, only 12 of those were starts.

However, when Postecoglou joined in the summer of 2023, Bissouma was handed far more responsibility as he started 26 league fixtures.

The 28-year-old's role grew even more in Postecoglou's second and final season at the club as he registered 44 appearances across all competitions.

One of those came in the Europa League final, with Tottenham 1-0 victors over Manchester United in Bilbao.

The win ended Tottenham's infamous 17-year trophy drought and upheld Postecoglou's gutsy claim made earlier in the campaign he 'always' wins things in his second seasons.

But the long-awaited silverware and a berth in next season's Champions League was evidently not enough to convince Tottenham's decision-makers Postecoglou was the right man to take the club forward.

In the statement confirming his departure, Tottenham pointed to the club's 17th-place Premier League finish as a key reason for axing Postecoglou.

"Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games," the Tottenham statement read.

"This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season.

"At times there were extenuating circumstances - injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign.

"Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the club’s greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph."

The Australian is poised to be replaced by Brentford boss Thomas Frank, as talkSPORT understands he has verbally agreed terms with Tottenham.

Frank guided Brentford to a tenth-place finish in 2024/25, and Spurs will have to shell out if they are to secure his services.

The Dane has a hefty release clause in his current contract, believed to be in the region of £9million.

Frank also enjoys a long-standing relationship with Spurs' technical director Johan Lange.

Tottenham Hotspur and Everton hold a genuine interest in signing Jack Grealish, talkSPORT understands.

However, Newcastle are unlikely to make a move for the Manchester City outcast.

Grealish is expected to depart City this summer with the 29-year-old set to be left out of the Club World Cup squad in order to find a new club.

Grealish is contracted until 2027, and City are hoping for a fee of at least £50million, making a permanent transfer challenging. His £300,000-per-week wage is also a stumbling block for suitors.

Spurs are looking to add a left-sided winger or attacker having decided against taking the option to buy Timo Werner. Mathys Tel is expected to remain at Tottenham but expected new manager Thomas Frank is likely to get a further reinforcement in this area.

Everton will only make an approach if Grealish shows a willingness to go on loan and City cover some of his wage.

Aston Villa would be looking for a similar kind of structure if they are to consider re-signing Grealish, who made 213 appearances for Villa between 2013 and 2021 before joining Manchester City for £100m.

At this stage, Villa are not an actively chasing Grealish and are more focused on securing an outgoing to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules before the end of the 2024/25 financial year. It is also unclear if Grealish would consider a return to Villa Park.

Newcastle feel well-covered on the left with Antony Gordon and Harvey Barnes, with the form of the latter in the back-half of the season a key reason why the Magpies feel no urgency to add another signing.

Barnes finished the Premier League season with nine goals and four assists as Newcastle qualified for the Champions League.

Newcastle also expect Gordon to stay despite Liverpool's interest in the player, however, they would only consider a move if Luis Diaz departs.

Barcelona have already been told by Liverpool that Diaz is not for sale, but Al Nassr are prepared to bid €85m should the Colombian winger show an openness to switch to Saudi. Liverpool don't wish to sell and only an astronomical offer might change that position

Grealish also has his own interest from Saudi Arabia via Al Qadsiah, but is believed to want to stay in Europe.

Away from the Premier League, Barcelona have enquired on Grealish in the past but are not currently an active suitor, even with Diaz looking off the table.

AC Milan, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and Bayer Leverkusen are all other potential destinations.

talkSPORT understands Napoli value both Grealish and Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho at £42m and are pushing ahead with signing a left winger as soon as possible.

Grealish's priority is to play regular minutes after Thomas Tuchel told him in April he is still in his thinking ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The desire to play in what will likely prove Grealish's final World Cup could yet prompt the City winger to consider a short-term deal or even drop his wage.

Should Grealish join Spurs, it's a transfer that would please talkSPORT's Troy Deeney.

Advising Grealish on where to go next, Deeney said in March: "He will have to leave and I don’t think he wont be short of suitors but I think now it’s a massive situation for him.

“He may have to lower his expectations in terms of wages and where he’s playing but you could definitely see him going to somewhere like Spurs playing week in, week out and trying to move them up but for Jack it’s about staying fit and playing consistently.”

Grealish joined City in the summer of 2021 for £100m, which was a record fee for a British player at the time.

The 29-year-old has won a plethora of trophies during his time at the Etihad, including three Premier League titles, an FA Cup and Champions League.

The highlight of his City career came in his second campaign which saw them win the treble, while he played a huge part in their success as he registered 16 goal contributions in all competitions.

But he's hugely struggled since and the 2024/25 season saw Grealish effectively get frozen out by Guardiola, having been overlooked for City's FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace which saw them chase an equaliser for 74 minutes of the match.

Tottenham fans will hope Thomas Frank shows as much ambition as Glenn Hoddle when he was appointed their manager in 2001.

Frank is set to replace Ange Postecoglou as Spurs manager despite the Australian winning the Europa League.

Huge expectation will come with joining the north London club, but he is not the first to swap Premier League clubs to take on the challenge at Tottenham.

Hoddle sealed an emotional to White Hart Lane in 2001 to become their new boss - 14 years after he left to link up with future Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at Monaco.

One of the club's biggest legends, Hoddle scored 110 goals in 490 matches in all appearances after coming up through the club's academy.

A two-time FA Cup winner, Hoddle also scooped the UEFA Cup and the Charity Shield with Spurs after breaking into the team during the 1975/76 season.

After hanging up his boots in 1995 having been appointed as Chelsea's player-manager two years prior, Hoddle departed Stamford Bridge for England in 1996, before being dismissed in 1999.

He returned to the dugout at Southampton in January 2000, where he guided the south coast outfit to safety by finishing in 15th spot.

And he was on course to help Southampton seal a top ten finish the following campaign, but he shocked the board by resigning in March 2001.

His dream job in managing Tottenham had become available following the sacking of George Graham.

Southampton were in eighth spot after 29 games played, while Spurs were languishing in 11th spot - five points behind the Saints having played one extra match.

The Saints were also in the middle of a five-match winning run - leaving club chiefs fuming by his decision to stand down.

Spurs swiftly announced his appointment - the first manager since Daniel Levy became chairman - just four days after Hoddle departed Southampton, where he immediately set his sights on winning the league title.

Speaking at his press conference unveiling, he said: "The potential is there to do well and there's lots of hard work to be done.

"The fact that the contract is five years means the club are looking to the future.

"We want to win the Premiership, of course we do, and that is my ultimate goal, but it's early doors to be talking about that."

On his return, he remarked: "It's emotional and exciting. I've spent many years here and the supporters have given me a superb reception.

"I walked through the gates of this club at age eight as a supporter and left when I was 29. That's a huge part of my life."

And Hoddle was also unapologetic by leaving Saints midway through the season for their top-flight rivals.

He insisted: "I don't feel guilty. The timing was right to come back.

"It's a fantastic club. I'm very surprised to be here and when I was offered the chance to talk to Spurs it was something I wanted to pursue.

"There was only one club I would have left Southampton for and that was Tottenham Hotspur Football Club."

Before adding: "I have heard there is some bitterness and resentment towards me from the Southampton fans, but I have left them in a very strong position.

"I could understand it if they were at the bottom."

Hoddle's impact at Spurs was immediate - winning his opening two league matches.

As for Saints, they fell to three consecutive defeats, and would win just two of their remaining nine games.

But it was Southampton who had the last laugh come the end of the season, as they finished in tenth - two places ahead of Spurs.

The following campaign saw Spurs finish in ninth - two places ahead of Southampton - while also reaching the League Cup final, where they lost to Blackburn.

A stunning start to the 2002/03 term saw Tottenham end August top of the pile - earning Hoddle his second Manager of the Month award - as he looked to fulfil his goal of ending the club's 42-year wait for the league championship.

But they soon began to fall down the table, and having lost seven of their last ten fixtures, they ended in tenth spot, with pressure starting to build on the fan favourite.

And in a cruel twist of fate, Hoddle's time at Spurs came to an end just six games into the 2003/04 season following a 3-1 home defeat to Southampton, which left them in the relegation zone.

Hoddle dared to dream, but in the end, his time at his beloved club turned into a nightmare.

Spurs fans will be hoping Frank sets his stall out immediately and he can finally fire the club to more glory.

Great Scott

Manchester City have confirmed that Scott Carson will leave the club this summer as his contract expires.

Carson departs after six years at the Etihad, where he was a major part of City's successes despite not playing often.

Pep Guardiola had previously lauded the 39-year-old's impact in the dressing room on the rest of the team.

Incredibly, he won a trophy every 9.8 minutes he played for City.

The veteran goalkeeper only played 108 minutes since 2019, but leaves with four Premier League titles and a Champions League.

On top of that, he was also part of the squad that won the FA Cup, two Carabao Cups, a UEFA Super Cup and more.

A statement from Man City ended: "Everyone at Manchester City would like to thank Scott for his hard work and dedication and wish him the very best of luck for the future."

Sunderland latest

talkSPORT reported yesterday that Borussia Dortmund are closing in on the capture of Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland.

The deal is set to earn the Black Cats a club-record fee.

They have accepted an offer of a €33million (£27million) fixed fee, including €5million (£4.2million) add-ons.

The club also have a 15 per cent sell-on clause, should Jobe follow Jude's pathway in the years to come.

talkSPORT's chief football correspondent, Alex Crook, has given an update on Sunderland's situation this morning.

He said: "I know a lot of Sunderland fans are really disappointed that he won't be joining them on their Premier League adventure.

"But it is a club record sale for the club. There are some add-ons included as well, so that fee could well rise.

"The fear for Sunderland now is that we've seen how difficult it is for clubs coming up from the Championship to stay in the Premier League.

"They've lost Bellingham, they've lost their Wembley playoff hero Tommy Watson because, of course, he'd already secured a move to Brighton. Dan Neil, the captain, is out of contract.

"Normally, clubs coming up are thinking, how can we add to our squad? We need a bit of Premier League experience.

"Jordan Henderson is a potential target, but to be losing players of that calibre, particularly when you look at how recently promoted teams have fared, I think it's going to be a really tough season for Sunderland."

'I couldn't wait'

Imminent Manchester City signing Tijjani Reijnders has confirmed that he has completed his medical.

He has also revealed he will be joining before the Club World Cup, which gets underway this weekend.

Speaking to media in Italy, he said: "The medical? I couldn't wait to do it. The plan is to take part at the Club World Cup with City.

"I'm really excited about that. Doing that means I'll get to know my new teammates sooner."

Meanwhile, talkSPORT understands that Rayan Ait Nouri has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad over the weekend.

City and Wolves agreed a fee of around £36million including add-ons, and that deal will go through this week too.

Kane and unable

England captain Harry Kane has admitted that the Three Lions 'got away with it' in their 1-0 win against Andorra.

"It wasn't our greatest performance," said the Bayern Munich striker, whose matchwinner took his tally to 72 for his country.

"I don't think it's one many people are going to remember, that's for sure, but it's three points in the bag.

"But, yeah, for sure, we know we can play better in all aspects, both with and without the ball.

"It's down to us now to analyse it, look back and try and learn from it because condition-wise it's going to be very similar to next summer - dry pitch, warm weather, humid."

He added: "It [the goal] was probably our best move and we just didn't have enough of that, both with probably the runs and also the quality - a lot of balls kind of overhit, out of play, and it just kind of killed our momentum, especially there in the second half."

Germany 0-2 France FULL-TIME

Kylian Mbappe became just the third player to bring up 50 goals for France - and he's done it in record time.

The 26-year-old broke the deadlock in Les Bleus' Nations League third-place play-off clash against Germany on Sunday afternoon.

A late goal from substitute Michael Olise sealed the result, but his captain Mbappe stole the headlines.

The Real Madrid star, who made his France senior debut as an 18-year-old in 2017, has reached the milestone in just 90 caps.

He has followed in the footsteps of ex-Arsenal centre-forwards Olivier Giroud and Thierry Henry in scoring at least 50 times for France.

Henry had been the record holder in reaching 50 goals for France in the quickest time.

The 1998 World Cup winner brought up the landmark strike on his 113th appearance against Serbia in September in 2009.

Marching on together

Leeds United defender Max Wober has revealed that the club has told him that he will be sold this summer.

The 27-year-old arrived at Elland Road two years ago in a £10million deal from Red Bull Salzburg under former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch.

However, Wober has made just 29 appearances in two and a half seasons with the Whites and has now been told he has no future in Yorkshire.

Currently away on international duty, he told Austrian media outlet Krone, Wober said: “Leeds has already made it clear to me that they want to sell me.

"I might have been able to send out a letter of application (with his performance for Austria.)

“I was extremely pleased that I was able to show other clubs that I’m fit, that I’m still a really good player, and that I don’t want to just rot away in England.”

No Maur to give

Mauricio Pochettino has ruled himself out of the running to replace Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham.

The United States head coach enjoyed a five-year stay at Spurs before he was sacked in November 2019.

The Argentine, who was appointed US manager in October 2024, has long been linked with a return to north London but says he is happy in his new role.

"Today it's not realistic," said Pochettino. "Look where I am. Look where we (his backroom staff) are. The answer is so clear.

"I think, since I left in 2019, my name has always been on the list [of rumours].

"I've seen the rumours, we are 100 coaches on the list. Don't be worried about that.

"If something happens [in the future], you for sure will see, but I am so happy in this moment and we cannot talk about this type of thing."

Sacked

Italy boss Luciano Spalletti has revealed he has been sacked after their 3-0 defeat to Norway.

The Italians have made a disastrous start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.

A swift decision has been made to axe Spalletti, but he will still take charge of their match against Moldova.

He said: "I spoke with Gravina last night and he told me that I will be relieved of my duties as coach of the national team. I was sorry: given the relationship we have, I had no intention of giving up.

"Especially when things aren't going well, I would have preferred to stay and do my job.

"However, it is a dismissal and I have to take note of it. I have always interpreted this role as a service to the country and I want to facilitate the future of the national team. I think it is right to seek the best."

Spalletti was then asked if he felt betrayed and walked out of his press conference.

Wales captain Aaron Ramsey has agreed a deal to sign for Mexican side Club Universidad Nacional.

The former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder would become the first high-profile British player to play in the Mexican league should the formalities of the move be completed.

Ramsey was appointed Cardiff interim manager for the final three games of the Sky Bet Championship season after the club sacked Omer Riza.

The 34-year-old was unable to prevent Cardiff from being relegated to the third tier, but reports had linked him to taking over the Bluebirds on a full-time basis this summer.

Ramsey has made it clear he wants to continue his playing career and lead Wales at the World Cup next summer.

"There's a lot to play for and that World Cup is a massive carrot being dangled," Ramsey said in April.

Ramsey returned to his boyhood club Cardiff in 2023, but injuries have restricted his game time and he is currently recovering from hamstring surgery.

Club Universidad Nacional, known as Pumas UNAM, finished sixth in the 2024-25 Mexican standings and qualified for the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Looney Toons

Manchester City appear resigned to missing out on Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento, talkSPORT understands.

The 22-year-old enjoyed an impressive 2024/25 season to help the Magpies lift the Carabao Cup and secure their Champions League return.

Livramento featured in 45 games in all competitions, where he operated on both sides of the defence.

His impressive form led to the ex-Chelsea academy star making his England senior debut in November.

And with Pep Guardiola keen on bolstering his backline, Livramento was identified as a player who could help City win back the Premier League title.

However, negotiations are believed to have reached a standstill between the two clubs.

City had been keen to bring in the youngster ahead of the Club World Cup, which starts next weekend.

But the Toon are unwilling to part ways with the defender, who has become a huge fan favourite since joining the club.

Player ratings

Jordan Henderson was rated 2/10 by talkSPORT's Adrian Durham - with nine England stars handed a 3/10 rating for their performances against Andorra.

Henderson was surprisingly named in Thomas Tuchel's starting XI - becoming England's oldest player to feature since Frank Lampard in 2014.

But his display was enough for Durham to never want to see Henderson in an England shirt again.

Having his say on the Ajax midfielder, Durham simply stated: "Just no."

Noni Madueke received the highest scoring with a 7/10 rating, with Jude Bellingham [4/10] and Harry Kane [5/10] the only other to players to receive more than a 3/10.

Even Tuchel was handed a 2/10, as Durham raged: "He isn’t getting the best out of the players.

"He promised to entertain and three games in we’ve definitely not been entertained.

"And imagine not bringing Morgan Gibbs-White on until injury time, what's that all about?

"Can’t wait to say it to his face at St Georges Park on talkSPORT on Wednesday afternoon..."

Player ratings

Jordan Henderson was rated 2/10 by talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham – with nine England stars handed a 3/10 rating for their performances against Andorra.

Henderson was surprisingly named in Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI – becoming England’s oldest player to feature since Frank Lampard in 2014.

But his display was enough for Durham to never want to see Henderson in an England shirt again.

Having his say on the Ajax midfielder, Durham simply stated: “Just no.”

Noni Madueke received the highest scoring with a 7/10 rating, with Jude Bellingham [4/10] and Harry Kane [5/10] the only other to players to receive more than a 3/10.

Even Tuchel was handed a 2/10, as Durham raged: “He isn’t getting the best out of the players.

“He promised to entertain and three games in we’ve definitely not been entertained.

“And imagine not bringing Morgan Gibbs-White on until injury time, what’s that all about?

“Can’t wait to say it to his face at St Georges Park on talkSPORT on Wednesday afternoon…”

Adrian Durham's full England player ratings

Starting XI

Jordan Pickford – 3

Curtis Jones – 3

Ezri Konsa – 3

Dan Burn – 3

Reece James – 3

Jude Bellingham – 4

Jordan Henderson – 2

Mogan Rogers – 3

Cole Palmer – 3

Noni Madueke – 7

Harry Kane – 5

Substitutes

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 3

Eberechi Eze – 3

Declan Rice – N/A

Anthony Gordon – N/A

Morgan Gibbs-White – N/A

Ange Postecoglou had read the script before.

Despite leading Tottenham to their first trophy in 17 years, the Australian was sacked on Friday.

Tottenham's 17th-place finish, the club's lowest-ever in the Premier League, was deemed to be the decisive factor in the divisive decision.

Given Postecoglou was the man who ended the club's trophy drought, some viewed the ruthless decision as harsh.

However, comments from the Australian made in the wake of Erik ten Hag's dismissal as Manchester United boss last October suggested he may have already known his fate.

Ten Hag won trophies in each of his first two seasons at the club, with victories over Newcastle United and Manchester City in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals respectively.

But the Red Devils' performances in the league had noticeably regressed from the Dutchman's first season in charge, when they came third in the Premier League.

United finished the 2023/24 season in eighth but qualified for the Europa League by virtue of their FA Cup upset over Manchester City.

The club sat an embarrassing 14th by the time Ten Hag left and ended the 2024/25 campaign one place below under his successor Ruben Amorim.

Speaking shortly after Ten Hag's dismissal, Postecoglou was 'not really shocked' at the news.

But he did question whether his two trophies in as many seasons amid faltering league form would be enough to keep his job had Ten Hag been in charge at Tottenham.

"Disappointing as it was, it was almost inevitable with the scrutiny he (Ten Hag) had," Postecoglou said last October.

"If you look at Erik, he was there for two-and-a-bit years. He won a trophy in each year. They finished third in his first year.

"If he was here with that record, would he have lost his job? I don't know.

"Would he be under the same scrutiny? I don't know, because everyone tells me all I have to do is win a trophy, but I have got a feeling it would be the same because, just the nature of the world today."

Postecoglou was evidently proven right, as silverware and a spot in next season's Champions League was not enough to retain his role.

"Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the club’s greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph," the club statement confirming Postecoglou's departure read.

Postecoglou's side lost 22 of their 38 league games in the 2024/25 Premier League season, the most by any team avoiding the drop in the competition's history.

After guiding Spurs to a fifth-placed finish in his first year in charge, the Aussie found his progress hampered by injuries to a number of key players this year.

However, it was the manner of their defeats saw him come in for plenty of criticism.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank remains the favourite to succeed Postecoglou and become Tottenham's fourth manager in as many years.