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Ange Postecoglou set to replace Nuno Espirito Santo as Nottingham Forest manager this week ahead of Arsenal clash

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Ange Postecoglou set to replace Nuno Espirito Santo as Nottingham Forest manager this week ahead of Arsenal clash - The Sun
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If the Nottingham Forest players are still feeling dizzy, you wouldn’t blame them.

They have spent the last 21 months playing risk-averse, counter-attack Nuno-ball.

Suddenly, overnight, they have now discovered the approach is defence-averse, “it’s who we are mate”, Ange-ball.

It feels like the footballing equivalent of reversing the polarity of the planet.

A total culture and attitude shift in the space of a few hours.

And given so much of Forest’s success is down to the strategy deployed by Nuno Espirito Santo, who galvanised his players into believing they added up to far more than the sum of their collective parts, even Evangelos Marinakis might accept it’s a roll of the dice.

Ange Postecoglou, of course, returns to English football just 95 days after being sacked by Spurs - and, ironically, barely 100 hours after the man who sent him packing, Daniel Levy, was himself given the boot in N17.

The Greek-Australian left Tottenham hailed by almost as many fans as those who wanted him gone.

He was, after all, the man who broke Spurs’ 17 trophy drought, that Europa League win over Manchester United in Bilbao unlocking nearly two decades of frustration, joy overflowing down the Tottenham High Road.

Yet he was also the man who took Spurs to 17th in the Prem, 10 places and 27 points adrift of the Forest side he has now inherited.

Even the Spurs supporters who mourned his forced departure did not hide from the mess of his second season, a midfield muddle, chaotic set-piece defending, a one-dimensional approach that was seemingly found out by all his domestic rivals - except Ruben Amorim.

Those early days of “I’m loving Ange-ball instead” transformed into a catalogue of jeers and demands for a change. And Postecoglou does not change.

Neither did Nuno, of course. He brought the same tactical approach that initially served him so well at Wolves, and less well i n his own short-lived spell at the Tottenham helm, to the City Ground.

Replacing Steve Cooper just before Christmas 2023 - in the aftermath of a 2-0 home defeat by Ange’s Spurs - he turned a side that looked set for relegation into one that should have been playing Champions league football this season.

His overall record of 26 wins in 62 Prem matches, securing 91 points, may not look spectacular.

But last season, sticking to his mantra, utilising a defensive blanket in front of Matz Sels, the guile of Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson, transition pace of Anthony Elanga and the campaign of Chris Wood’s career, Forest were the ultimate Nuno side.

They took four points off Liverpool, drew with Arsenal and Chelsea and beat both Spurs and United twice, only to fall away with just five points in their final five games, including the last day defeat to Enzo Maresca’s Blues which cost them that elusive place in the European elite.

That Ange, just a few days later, somehow steered Tottenham into the Champions League, delivering to Levy the prize Marinakis coveted, may have just been a further element in his appointment in Nuno’s place.

Yet where going for another available former Spurs man in the form of Jose Mourinho would have been more of the same, giving the gig to Postecoglou means a complete philosophical and tactical change.

Postecoglou sides cannot sit back and strike like a cobra. He wants them to dominate possession, press high, sprint like demons.

As for defending, especially at set-pieces - one of Forest’s strengths under Nuno - that’s not in the equation.

Last year, Forest were almost the best Prem fairy-story since Leicester’s title exploits a decade ago.

Now some fans may wonder if Marinakis is the wicked witch.

They might enjoy a loosening of the shackles under Ange. But perhaps clubs with limited resources have to play in a certain way. And that is not the Postecoglou way.

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'It hurts' - Tottenham star breaks silence on being snubbed from Champions League squad after £30m summer transfer

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'It hurts' - Tottenham star breaks silence on being snubbed from Champions League squad after £30m summer transfer - The Sun
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TOTTENHAM star Mathys Tel has admitted his disappointment at missing out on Thomas Frank's Champions League squad.

Spurs forked out £30million in June to make the Frenchman's initial loan from Bayern Munich permanent.

Despite the significant outlay, Tel was not selected in Frank's depleted Champions League squad, which was submitted to Uefa on Tuesday.

Having since reported for international duty with France's Under-21s, Tel has spoken out on the situation.

Quizzed by French outlet Le Telegramme about how his snub felt, the forward said: "It's clear that when you're not on a list, it definitely hurts, but I'm someone who stays pretty positive, no matter the situation, because I think I've worked a lot on the mental aspect.

"Today it's definitely a disappointment, I would have liked to be there.

"But the coach's choice is the coach's choice, we can only respect it and we're going to work to come back in the best possible way."

On how Frank informed him of the news, Tel added: "Quite simply, with respect. He called me, he simply told me his choice and then you could see the list appear on the networks."

Further quizzed if he is seeking revenge, or whether he could even be looking to leave Spurs already, Tel said: "No matter, even if I was on the list, I would have had this desire, to be revengeful, to be able to be effective this season, to be able to start my season in the Premier League.

"Because now, it's a first long season that begins because last year it was in the form of a six-month loan.

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"A desire elsewhere? I am under contract with Tottenham, so I am a Tottenham player and I will do my best to be able to play quite simply."

The Europa League winners were only able to name 22 players, rather than 25, due to squad issues.

Of the customary 25 players that can be named for the Champions League, four must be eligible as club trained.

To be deemed club trained, a player must have spent three years on that team's books between the ages of 15 and 21.

Third choice goalkeeper Brandon Austin is Tottenham's only club trained player.

In addition to Tel, injured stars James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin have also missed out - as well as summer signing Kota Takai and forgotten man Yves Bissouma.

New boys Randal Kolo Muani, Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus have been included, as well as Tel's fellow attackers Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert, Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.

'ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT'

Asked to rate his first six months with Spurs, Tel said: "Knowing what I'm capable of, knowing all the abilities I have, I think I could have done better.

"In any case, we can all do better. But I would say that it's an encouraging setup. Why? Because it forces me to know the weak points, the things to improve, so there's always room for improvement that we have to aim for.

"Whether in life in London or on the pitch, I think it can be better, everything can be better, absolutely everything."

Tel made 13 Premier League appearances during his loan spell last term, scoring twice and laying on two assists - while he also made five appearances during Spurs' run to Europa League glory.

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Former Arsenal and Spurs star to fight ex-Chelsea ace in huge boxing card with TEN footballers stepping into ring

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Former Arsenal and Spurs star to fight ex-Chelsea ace in huge boxing card of with TEN footballers stepping into ring - The Sun
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IN a grudge match for the ages, a former Arsenal and Tottenham star will be squaring off with an ex-Chelsea ace in the RING for a historic charity event.

David Bentley, formerly of North London's Arsenal and Tottenham, and Jody Morris, formerly of West London's Chelsea, will step back into the public eye.

Only this time, instead of wearing football boots, they will don a pair of boxing gloves.

The pair are headlining a remarkable charity event created by Pro Project Promotions and spearheaded by ex-Gunners goalkeeper Graham Stack.

As many as TEN former footballers will be stepping into the ring on October 18 at the Grosvenor Hotel in Mayfair, London, for a night of intriguing action.

It is hoped this boxing gala will raise £500,000 for various charities, including Playskill, Sport In Mind, Willow Foundation, and Helping Hands.

The other names on the list include: Curtis Davies v Paddy Kenny, Leroy Lita v David Noble, Lee Trundle v Anthony Gardner and Greg Halford v Marvin Elliott.

Speaking on the project, Stack, 43, said: "Pro Project Promotions is where football’s fiercest rivalries meet boxing’s raw intensity.

"These legends are stepping out of their comfort zones to throw punches for a purpose.

"With a star-studded crowd, world-class entertainment, and a mission to change lives, this night will be etched in history."

Pro Project Promotions is backed by a catalogue of major stars.

Among them are former Premier League footballers Peter Crouch, Joe Cole and Ray Parlour, as well as former boxing world champion Darren Barker.

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Dele Alli could make shock return to UK with Wrexham as three clubs 'emerge as transfer frontrunners'

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DELE ALLI has been linked with three clubs amid his efforts to rekindle his struggling career - and could end up at Wrexham.

Dele, 29, was at one stage among the Premier League's top players after bursting onto the scene with Tottenham in 2015.

The midfielder went on to amass 269 appearances during an impressive seven-year stint at Spurs, for whom he played in the Champions League final six years ago.

However, the former England international fell out of favour during the latter stages of his time with the North Londoners.

That led to his departure in 2022 and three unsuccessful stints at Everton, Besiktas and most recently Como.

Dele left Serie A after Cesc Fabregas's side confirmed last Monday that the versatile midfielder's 18-month contract was terminated following a mutual agreement.

The ex-Tottenham star managed a mere nine minutes of football at Como.

That took place in a Serie A match at AC Milan in March that saw him get sent off after a challenge on former England team-mate Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Those are the only minutes of football Dele has played in the last two-and-a-half years.

But despite his lack of game time, the once football prodigy is looking for a dramatic comeback.

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According to The Mail, there is interest for the fallen star that could lead to a return to the Premier League.

Championship sides Wrexham, Birmingham City and West Brom have all been linked with Dele.

The Dragons could help him regain his star value thanks to Hollywood celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

The same goes for Birmingham as minority owner and NFL legend Tom Brady's star value could rub off on Dele.

And both teams have been enjoying tremendous success the last few years as they climbed up the ranks in the EFL and pose as legitimate contenders for Premier League promotion this season.

And West Brom are currently second in the Championship, which means they can wreck Wrexham and Birmingham's plans.

The Baggies are also coached by Dele's former Tottenham team-mate Ryan Mason, who brought him back in from the cold during his interim stint in charge of Spurs back in 2021.

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Tottenham REJECT two takeover approaches including one from former Newcastle owner after Daniel Levy's exit

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Tottenham REJECT two takeover approaches including one from former Newcastle owner after Daniel Levy's exit - The Sun
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TOTTENHAM have rejected two takeover approaches already since Daniel Levy's shock exit.

And one of those came from former Newcastle chief Amanda Staveley.

Levy's surprise departure as executive chairman last week fuelled speculation over a possible takeover.

ENIC - who hold 87 per cent of Tottenham - insist the club is not for sale and Spurs' statement on Thursday said there would be no changes to the ownership.

But Staveley submitted a "preliminary expression of interest" in the North London club through her PCP International Finance Limited company.

A second attempt - also coming since the Levy news - was made by a consortium led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng.

Tottenham confirmed both approaches with a statement on Sunday night - and revealed they had been "unequivocally rejected".

Spurs said: “The Board of Tottenham Hotspur Limited is aware of recent media speculation and confirms that its majority shareholder, Enic Sports & Developments Holdings Ltd, has received, and unequivocally rejected, separate preliminary expressions of interest in relation to proposals to acquire the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of Enic from (i) PCP International Finance Limited and (ii) a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited (the consortium).

“As a consequence of Enic’s majority ownership interest in Tottenham Hotspur, were any offer made to acquire Enic and complete, a mandatory offer would be required under Rule 9 of the code to acquire the shares of Tottenham Hotspur not already held by Enic.

“The Board of the Club and Enic confirm that Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale and Enic has no intention to accept any such offer to acquire its interest in the club.

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“In accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the code, each of PCP and the consortium is separately required, by not later than 5pm on 5 October 2025, to either announce a firm intention to make an offer for the company in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the code or announce that it does not intend to make an offer for the company, in which case their respective announcements will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies."

The Times report that UK takeover laws mean Staveley's PCP will need to put out of a statement on Monday to confirm whether or not they plan to submit a formal offer for Tottenham.

Staveley helped broker Manchester City's 2008 sale to Sheikh Mansour before playing a key role in the Saudi's £305million takeover from Mike Ashley at Newcastle in 2021.

Staveley and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi had a six per cent stake in the Magpies as the Public Investment Fund and Reuben family took the majority of the shares.

However, it was claimed the couple were pushed out of Newcastle last summer, with Staveley describing her exit as "painful".

Now she is evidently keen to get involved in another Premier League takeover at Tottenham.

ENIC used to be run by British billionaire Joe Lewis but is now headed up by his children Vivienne and Charles.

They have been the pair behind the shake-up at Spurs in recent months, which also saw former Arsenal chief Vinai Venkatesham brought in as CEO, before pushing Levy out.

However, ENIC is owned by the Tavistock Group, of which Levy's son Joshua is the co-chief executive, leading to comparisons to TV show Succession due to the family power and dynamics at play.

Rather than look to sell, though, SunSport understands the Lewis family are weighing up putting in more cash themselves.

Spurs are now believed to be worth around £4BILLION, thanks in part to the building of their £1.2bn stadium which Levy oversaw during the 2010s.

They were valued by football number-crunchers Deloitte in January as the ninth richest club in the world, making £520m in the 2023-24 campaign.

Tottenham also made the most profit of any Premier League club over the course of Levy's 25 years in charge, £167m up.

Levy handled the transition to one of the world's best football stadiums and earned a reputation as a tough negotiator when it came to transfers.

But his hard-line approach was arguably his undoing, refusing to spend big on transfer fees or wages.

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Daniel Levy sacked me as Tottenham boss at 10:30pm the night before a game - Spurs don't realise what they're losing

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Daniel Levy sacked me as Tottenham boss at 10:30pm the night before a game - Spurs don't realise what they're losing - The Sun
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GUS POYET has lifted the lid on his brutal Tottenham sacking, revealing Daniel Levy booted him at 10.30pm the night BEFORE a game.

The former Premier League star, 57, spent one year as Spurs’ assistant boss under Juande Ramos between October 2007 and 2008.

Poyet, who also played for Spurs between 2001 and 2004 after achieving cult status at rivals Chelsea, helped the north Londoners to League Cup glory over the Blues.

He also oversaw the arrival of fan favourite and future Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric.

But Poyet and Ramos were given the boot after Tottenham picked up two points from eight Premier League matches.

And the Uruguayan has now opened up over the brutal decision made by Levy, whose time as Spurs’ executive chairman came to an end on Thursday.

Speaking exclusively to Oddspedia, Poyet revealed that Levy dumped him and Ramos at 10.30pm ahead of the next day’s game against Bolton before hiring Harry Redknapp.

The FA Cup and Copa America winner admits the decision came as a major shock.

But Poyet believes it showed just how ruthless Levy was.

And he feels Spurs may live to regret his exit after the ex-chief gave them a shiny new stadium, a stunning training ground and a first-ever European trophy in May.

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Poyet, now manager of South Korean side Jeonbuk, said: “My relationship (with Levy) was professional, very respectful. We didn't have any issues. From day one to the last, he was very honest with me.

“It was a little bit strange how we left. We were sacked the night before a game. We were at the hotel.

“We were ready to sleep and play a game the next day, to manage the game, and we were called down after 10 o'clock to be informed that we were leaving.

“It was quite a strange feeling leaving that hotel at 10.30 at night. Which means he was ruthless, proper.

“I felt miserable when I was leaving the hotel with my luggage. I was supposed to be thinking about tomorrow and going home. It was strange.

“If it was Monday morning after a game and you get a phone call from the chairman, you're thinking, oh, oh, oh… Maybe we'll get in the sack.

“But you have a phone call in your room. You're thinking, oh, something happened, you know, maybe the game is called off or maybe something, but you will never expect to get sacked the night before a game at the hotel.”

On Spurs’ future without Levy, Poyet added: “The real Spurs fans, the ones that go every two weeks to the magnificent new stadium - they know what he did for the club.

“They complained and they were trying to change the chairman. I think they know deep inside them that he did terrific things.

“You have to be proud when you go to the best stadium in the country. You have to be proud that your players are training in one of the best training grounds in world football. So there are plenty of things that have been done and you have to give him credit.

“Let's give the new people two or three years to see if they can really do what the fans think Daniel Levy didn’t do.

“So I would say to the fans, say thank you for what you've done and move on. Nothing else.”

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Daniel Levy's stunning Tottenham downfall like a plot from TV hit Succession with his son still holding top role

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Daniel Levy's stunning Tottenham downfall like a plot from TV hit Succession with his son still holding top role - The Sun
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DANIEL LEVY'S Tottenham exit was like a plot from hit TV show Succession with his SON the co-chief executive of the company that forced his father out of the club.

Levy, 63, announced he was leaving Spurs on Thursday in a shock decision that was initiated by the Lewis family, who are behind the club’s majority owners, ENIC.

British billionaire Joe Lewis, 88, used to be at the head of ENIC but now it is his children Vivienne and Charles who are calling the shots.

They are understood to have driven a number of changes at Tottenham in recent months, in a bid to improve results on the pitch.

ENIC is majority owned by private investment company, the Tavistock Group, of which Levy's son Josh is the co-chief exec.

Levy Jr works alongside fellow CEO Nick Beucher at the company, which is controlled by the Lewis family trust and has Vivienne and Charles Lewis in place as managing directors.

Beucher is the son-in-law to Vivienne Lewis.

According to The Telegraph, insiders have compared Levy's exit to HBO show Succession due to the heavy family involvement at the top of a successful business empire, with one saying the similarities are "uncanny".

It's been claimed that Tavistock were part of the operational and sporting review carried out by American consultants Gibb River that got things moving for Daniel Levy’s Tottenham exit.

While Vivienne and Charles are understood to have been big figures in decisions that have seen the likes of head coach Ange Postecoglou, chief football officer Scott Munn and long-serving director Donna Cullen all leave North London.

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Josh Levy is expected to continue in his role at Tavistock where he oversees various other parts of the group’s wide-ranging portfolio away from Tottenham Hotspur.

Levy Jr has regularly been seen sitting next to his father at Spurs matches but has no involvement with the club - and is believed to have played no role in his old man’s exit.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Spurs are still searching for extra investment despite Daniel Levy’s exit - with the Lewis family considering the option of pumping more money into the North Londoners.

Talk of a takeover following Levy’s shock departure has been quashed by sources close to Vivienne and Charles.

They are believed to be committed to the long-term future of the club and not looking to sell.

But it has not altered the long-running desire to source an investment boost.

That could come externally but SunSport understands the Lewis family are weighing up putting in more cash themselves.

ENIC already own 86.91 per cent of the North Londoners.

That percentage is a considerable rise from the 27 per cent they originally purchased for £22million from Sir Alan Sugar in 2000, which took their ownership of the club back then to 29.9 per cent.

Spurs are now believed to be worth around £4BILLION, thanks in part to the building of their £1.2bn stadium which Levy oversaw during the 2010s.

They were valued by football number-crunchers Deloitte in January as the ninth richest club in the world, making £520m in the 2023-24 campaign.

Speaking at last season’s fans’ forum a year ago, Levy said: “Some form of minority investment is what we’re looking for.

"We’ve got nothing to announce at the moment but we are in the market.”

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‘It’s a blessing’ – Djed Spence proud that he is set to become first Muslim to play for England

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DJED SPENCE is proud that he is set to become the first Muslim to play for England.

The Tottenham full-back has been called up to the senior squad for the first time by Thomas Tuchel ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.

Spence, 25, said: “It’s a blessing. I was surprised, really - first ever.

“It’s just amazing. I don’t have the words, really. It’s a big thing for me, my faith.

“First things first, God is the greatest. I pray a lot, I give gratitude to God.

“In the toughest moments of my life, the darkest moments, I’ve always believed that God has always been by my side.

“When I’m winning, when I’m in a good moment, I promote God as well.”

Spence, 25, is conscious of the powerful message that being the first practising Muslim to play international football for the England’s national men’s team would send to children of Islamic faith.

Around 3.9million Muslims live in England and Wales - 6.5 per cent of the population.

The Spurs star said: “Of course. If I can do it, you can do it. Not just Muslim kids, any child of any faith.

“Put your mind to something and you can do it, man.

“Is there pressure? Maybe, maybe not. I don’t really feel the pressure for certain things.

“I just play football with a smile on my face, be happy, and the rest will take care of itself.”

ANTONIO CONTE, Neil Warnock, Daniel Farke and anyone else who once doubted Djed Spence . . . he remembers you.

And the Tottenham full-back is very happy to have answered your criticism by earning his first senior England call-up.

When Spence, 25, was asked if he kept a black book of those who had wronged him on his roundabout journey to the top, he could not keep the smile off his face.

Speaking from England’s camp yesterday, he said: “I wouldn’t say I particularly have a list or anything.

“But I do have a mental note of people who doubted me — and it does feel good to prove them wrong.”

After England boss Tuchel named Spence in his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia, veteran manager Warnock, 76, told SunSport how he warned the young defender about his attitude when he was his boss at Middlesbrough.

Spence left on loan for Nottingham Forest in the 2021-22 season, helping them win promotion to the Premier League.

He then famously posted a message to Warnock on social media next to a photo of him with a cigar and the Championship Play-Off trophy.

His form under then-Forest boss Steve Cooper earned him a £15million move to Tottenham.

But Spurs boss Conte brought Spence down to earth by immediately making it clear it was the club who wanted to sign the England Under-21 defender, not him.

And Spence admits it was probably the biggest hurdle of his career.

He said: “Especially as a young player at the time. I did well, got promoted with Nottingham Forest, I am buzzing, I am going to sign for Tottenham.

"So to hear comments like that wasn’t nice. And it does shatter your confidence a bit.

“I was on such a high going into the club. Then I almost came crashing down because of comments from the manager and not playing.

“I was in a difficult space then. But I am a fighter.

“So, whatever I do, I will try to do my best in everything I can. Fast forward, I am here now, so I am happy.

It has been a long road to the top. An already tough loan spell at Rennes in 2023 ended with an injury that kept Spence out of England’s victorious European Under-21 Championship campaign.

In the following campaign, Leeds cut short his planned year-long stay at Elland Road, with boss Farke citing concerns about Spence’s attitude.

He spent the second half of the 2023-24 season at Genoa — and this time last year his Tottenham future was in real doubt.

Previous Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou did not name Spence in his Prem starting line-up until last December.

It’s just amazing. I don’t have the words, really. It’s a big thing for me, my faith."

Djed Spence on being the first Muslim to play for England

But injuries, particularly to left-back Destiny Udogie, gave the London-born defender his chance.

Spence went on to start 19 top-flight games and play a part in the club’s Europa League triumph.

And the defender has warm words for Postecoglou, who brought him on as a late sub in the 1-0 final victory over Manchester United in Bilbao.

Spence said: “He made me a champion, so I always have gratitude to him for that.

“And he was a good manager, good guy. I’ve got respect for him.”

But the England new boy is even more enthusiastic when discussing Postecoglou’s replacement at Spurs, Thomas Frank.

Spence added: “He’s been amazing to me, fills me with confidence, very open and just a down-to-earth manager. I think he’s going to be amazing for the club.”

Frank seems already to have taken Spence to a new level.

The full-back’s performances in the Uefa Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain and in Tottenham’s 2-0 win at Manchester City convinced Tuchel he was worth a call-up.

Spence said: “I feel I’m improving and that’s down to me staying focused, being a sponge and listening to my coaches and the staff.

“I want to be the best in my position and to do that you’ve got to keep working hard and keep taking on advice. You’ve got to do everything to the maximum.”

Which is basically what Warnock tried to tell Spence back at Middlesbrough — and he is pleased for his former player.

But not as delighted as Spence’s dad, Simon, mum Aisha and three older sisters.

Spence said: “I’m the youngest, so I guess I’m the golden child!

“We’re all very close. My mum supports Tottenham.

"She has taken me to every single training session and been by my side every step of the way. I can’t thank her enough.

“My dad is a football fanatic and has been there for me every step of the way too. I’ve got a real good family behind me.”

Sister Bria does TikTok posts following Spence’s career. The next one could feature him winning his first senior England cap.

Spence laughed: “She’ll probably be at the games vlogging away.”

And who knows, perhaps at next summer’s World Cup, too?

Spence said: “It would be a blessing, an honour to play at a World Cup.

“It’s definitely one of my goals. It’s a long, long season ahead.”

Maybe Spence can end the campaign with his best celebration photo yet.

He repeated the cigar-trophy combination from his Forest success after Spurs won the Europa League.

So, how about one with football’s most important bit of silverware next July?

Spence flashed yet another smile, before adding: “A third in the series? For sure. That would be nice.”

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