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Tottenham slammed for signing £35m former Chelsea star ahead of Man Utd

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Chris Waddle is ‘really concerned’ Tottenham will be relegated from the Premier League and says it was foolish to expect a £35m January signing to turn the tide.

Spurs finished just 17th in the Premier League last season – 13 points above the relegation zone – and have slipped even further this term, sitting one point above the drop zone with seven games remaining.

Tottenham’s underwhelming form cost Thomas Frank his job last month but his replacement, Igor Tudor, lasted just seven games and 44 days before also losing his job.

Spurs are yet to appoint their third manager of the season but are expected to hire ex-Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, who left Ligue 1 side Marseille earlier in the year.

Waddle doubts a new manager will ‘change a single thing’, however, and has questioned if the Tottenham players ‘have the stomach’ to avoid relegation to the Championship.

The Spurs hero has also slammed the club’s business in the transfer market and says ‘alarm bells were ringing’ when Tottenham signed Conor Gallagher.

Gallagher was linked with Manchester United in January but Spurs spent £35m to sign the former Chelsea star from Atletico Madrid.

‘Where do Tottenham go from here? It’s looking like the Championship,’ Waddle told 10bet. ‘I’m really concerned and worried about what is happening at the football club.

‘I cannot believe a club of that size are in the position that they’re in. After the result against Forest, Tottenham are basically the favourites for that third relegation spot.

‘Hopefully three or four players will come back [after the international break], but are they good enough? Will it be enough?

‘That’s the big question for Tottenham: Are the players good enough and do they have the bottle for a relegation fight? Can they roll up their sleeves?

‘I’m not convinced that this group of players have got enough about them to stop the rot. Tottenham are miles off the pace.

‘The players need to take some responsibility, but the main culprit are the board and leadership of the club. They haven’t invested money in players; they’re always buying for the future, but Tottenham need better players for the now.

Ex-England winger Waddle added: ‘I don’t think a new manager at Tottenham changes a thing. The players aren’t good enough and that isn’t going to change if a new manager comes in.

‘I’m looking at the squad, looking at individuals that don’t look like they’ve got the stomach or the ability to pull the club out of the hole it’s in.

‘Tottenham have the best stadium in the country and the best training facilities. They don’t have the best players and until the board changes its recruitment policy, then the club will always struggle. They won’t ever be able to challenge at the top end of the table.

‘Look at the recruitment. £35m for Conor Gallagher in January. No disrespect to Gallagher, but if Atletico were happy to let him go after a season and a half, then alarm bells should be ringing.

‘Don’t blame the manager for Tottenham’s problems. It isn’t Igor Tudor’s fault. The people that run the club must take responsibility.

‘Tottenham are in a fight. They’ve got seven games to save their season. The only people that can save them now are the players.

‘Am I confident they will do it? Nothing I’ve seen from this group of players convinces me that Tottenham will be playing Premier League football next season.’

Tottenham face a huge match against Sunderland in their first game back following the international break on April 12.

Spurs’ final six games of the season are against Brighton, Wolves, Aston Villa, Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton.

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Spurs consider hiring club legend who hasn't managed for 20 years as next boss

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Tottenham are contemplating turning to a club legend to save them from relegation even though he hasn’t coached for two decades.

The crisis-ridden north London club have begun their search for a fourth coach in less than a year following the decision on Sunday to part company withIgor Tudor.

Spurs made the surprise decision to turn to the Croatian after Thomas Frank was dismissed on February 11.

Tudor had never managed in the Premier League, but had experience of sparking an upturn in form after mid-season arrivals and yet suffered five defeats from seven games, including four in a row at the start of his reign.

A catastrophic 3-0 home defeat against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest prior to the international left Spurs just one point above the drop zone which effectively rendered Tudor’s position untenable.

Indeed, should West Ham beat Wolves at home on Friday evening, Spurs will face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light 24 hours later firmly in the bottom three and staring an unthinkable relegation full in the face.

The likes of Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange now face arguably the biggest decision in Tottenham’s modern history and one that will likely define whether or not they face the ultimate ignominy of dropping into the Championship.

According to the Daily Mail, Spurs are contemplating a variety of different options and are giving thought to turning to Glenn Hoddle, even though he hasn’t held a senior management position since he was the Molineux helm back in 2006, but did have a brief stint as part of Harry Redknapp’s coaching team at QPR.

Speaking earlier this month, arguably Tottenham’s greatest ever player made clear he was willing to help out as doubts over Tudor’s credentials quickly began to emerge.

Asked if he would be willing to step up if Tudor was axed, Hoddle told Could It Be Magic, the FA Cup podcast sponsored by Carling: ‘I think it would actually. Particularly with Tottenham, as that’s my club.

‘I’ve supported them since I was eight years of age. So they were a massive part of my life.’

Hoddle spent two-and-a-half years in charge of Spurs between 2001 and 2003.

He added: ‘I managed them probably at the wrong time, I’ve got to say. Let’s put it that way. Politically and financially, it wasn’t money there. Certainly, it wasn’t what they told me I was going into didn’t succumb.

‘But I think something like that, I would have done.’

Assistant Bruno Saltor will lead training for the players not away on international duty at the moment, with the club aiming to appoint a new head coach in the coming days, in time for the full squad being back together and a crucial 10-day preparation period ahead of the April 12 fixture at Sunderland.

Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and ex-Burnley and Everton manager Sean Dyche are among the bookmakers’ favourites to take over, or they could turn to Ryan Mason, boyhood Spurs fan and player who has twice been caretaker before.

Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust responded to the news of Tudor’s departure by urging the club to now make a “wise choice” regarding his replacement.

Its post on X read: ‘With thanks to Igor and his team for their efforts, and wishing him and his family time to come to terms with their loss.

‘In a season of bad calls, let’s hope we now see a wise choice for the remainder of the campaign.

‘Someone who understands the club and is up to the task in front of them: retaining our Premier League status. Someone we can all be proud of and who can bring some much needed success and enjoyment to our long suffering fanbase.’

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Next Tottenham manager odds as Igor Tudor leaves Spurs after seven games

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Tottenham are in search of their third manager of the season after interim boss Igor Tudor left the club on Sunday.

The Croatian lasted just 44 days and seven matches in charge of Spurs, in what has been a disastrous stint in north London.

Tudor won just one of his seven games, which came in the second leg of a Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid, which Tottenham lost on aggregate.

His six Premier League matches at the helm produced one draw and five defeats, most recently a 3-0 loss at home to Nottingham Forest last weekend.

After 31 games of the top flight season, Spurs are 17th and just one point above the drop zone, with West Ham a place below them.

The possibility of being relegated from the Premier League for the first time is very real and a third boss of the season will try to avoid that, after Thomas Frank and Tudor’s reigns left them in the mire.

With seven games to go, who will ride to the rescue and try to keep Spurs afloat?

The betting market is for the next permanent Tottenham manager, so bookmakers will not pay out on anyone the club appoints as an interim or caretaker for the final few games of the season only.

It may be that Spurs are forced to bring in a permanent manager earlier than planned, though, to get in the calibre of manager they want now.

The joint favourites to be the next permanent Tottenham boss are Roberto De Zerbi and Sean Dyche.

Both are out of work, with De Zerbi leaving Marseille in February and Dyche axed by Nottingham Forest in the same month.

Dyche was asked if he was in talks with Spurs earlier this week, saying on TalkSPORT: ‘Ah, it’s brilliant, honestly. I was in the pub just up the way near my place, I’ve got down here and this guy goes: “Ah, you’re meant to be in talks with Spurs tonight?” And I say: “I’m sat next to you having a pint of Guinness, so it’s unlikely – unless you work for Spurs!”

‘I’m there in The Seven Stars pub having a pint of Guinness, so I said: “It’s highly unlikely”. No, I’m not [in talks].’

Fulham manager Marco Silva is thought to be in contention, as is former Monaco boss Adi Hutter, who left the Ligue 1 side in October last year.

Former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino had been favourite to return and be the next permanent manager, but that is now far less likely.

Tottenham may now move to make an appointment sooner than waiting for Pochettino to be available after the World Cup, where he will manager USA.

A club statement on Tudor’s exit on Sunday read: ‘We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed for Head Coach Igor Tudor to leave the Club with immediate effect.

‘Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci have also left their respective roles of Goalkeeping Coach and Physical Coach. We thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their efforts during the past six weeks, in which they worked tirelessly.

‘We also acknowledge the bereavement that Igor has recently suffered and send our support to him and his family at this difficult time.

‘An update on a new Head Coach will be provided in due course.’

If Spurs go down the path of another interim manager, a string of former players and managers of the club have been linked, including Harry Redknapp, Tim Sherwood, Robbie Keane and Ryan Mason.

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Tottenham manager makes bold Arsenal claim after WSL derby defeat

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Tottenham manager Martin Ho hailed Arsenal as the ‘best team in the world’ after a one-sided north London derby in the Women’s Super League.

The Gunners secured north London bragging rights and moved up to second in the WSL with an emphatic 5-2 win over Spurs on Saturday.

Alessia Russo scored twice in the opening seven minutes at the Emirates Stadium on her way to a brilliant first-half hat-trick.

Tottenham still had hope at half time after Arsenal’s Frida Maanum headed into her own net but Caitlin Foord put the result beyond doubt with the hosts’ fourth on the hour mark.

Beth England scored a consolation goal for Spurs before Arsenal netted a fifth in injury-time through Stina Blackstenius.

The derby win sends Arsenal above Manchester United and Chelsea and into second in the Women’s Super League table, though they remain 11 points behind champions-elect Manchester City.

Arsenal also missed out on the WSL title last season – finishing 12 points behind Chelsea – but Spurs boss Ho nevertheless views the Gunners as the ‘best in the world’.

Renee Slegers’ Arsenal have one foot in the semi-finals of the Champions League after beating Chelsea 3-1 in the first leg last week.

Arsenal are the defending champions having beaten Barcelona in last season’s Women’s Champions League final to win the competition for the second time.

‘You come to the best in the world if we’re honest about the team, who they are and what they’ve achieved over the last six to twelve months, and we pushed them back for large moments,’ Ho said after Tottenham’s 5-2 defeat.

‘[In the] first half, we conceded two quick goals and that dented us. By doing that, it makes it difficult for you to get back into the game and with small individual passes, we have to be better at that as players.

‘For the Lize [Kop] one, I ask her to play a certain way and look for certain passes. When they happen, that’s my accountability and my responsibility.

‘I thought we then got back into the game, we got a goal, and then it goes into the second half where we conceded a really cheap goal again, which makes it 4-1.

‘We push back, Bethany gets a goal, really good finish, that’s 4-2. Then we were pushing the game, we make another individual error and we get punished.

‘I feel like every time we make one at the moment, the ball’s going in the net.’

Asked if the opening ten minutes of the game proved to be the decisive moment in the match, Ho added: ‘Yes, when you give two goals away like we have in those moments, you’re going to get punished for them.

‘They have world-class players and then it gives you a bit of a mountain to climb at times. I thought we came back into at 2-1, the game was in the balance and the third goes and that kind of then turns it back in their favour.

‘Small moments maybe change games and give you momentum. We just have to look at it, assess it, put it behind us and then focus on the Chelsea game going forward.

‘We can take lots from it in terms of with the ball and large parts of the press without the ball. Our performance, if we take out some of the individual parts, the game would change.

‘We have to make sure we do that because we don’t want to be a team and I don’t want to be a coach who concedes five goals a game. We’re not going to be doing that moving forward.’

Arsenal boss Slegers, meanwhile, singles out hat-trick hero Russo for praise after the north London derby win.

‘In training, she is communicating more and instructing more, driving the team more by being more vocal,’ she told Sky Sports. ‘You can see that she’s stepping up.

‘She is also part of the leadership group at Arsenal now. She is always herself, wanting to bring her best version, and she is very humble. She’s definitely developing that and we love to see it.’

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Liverpool in talks for £52m Tottenham defender as Chelsea join transfer race

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Liverpool have reportedly held internal discussions over a possible move for Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic ahead of the summer transfer window.

Tottenham reached a £12million agreement with Croatian outfit Hajduk Split for Vuskovic back in 2023, a deal that saw the youngster join up with Spurs last summer.

The 19-year-old hit the ground running in a Spurs shirt, scoring and providing an assist in his unofficial debut during a pre-season friendly with Reading.

And while Tottenham were keen to keep hold of Vuskovic this season, the player himself requested a loan move in order to secure regular first-team minutes so as not to hamper his development.

This saw Vuskovic complete a temporary switch to Hamburg, where he joined his brother Mario, and the teenager has been nothing short of a revelation at the heart of Merlin Polzin’s defence in recent months.

Vuskovic has started all but three of Hamburg’s games in the Bundesliga this term, earning rave reviews in Germany with his assured performances alongside Jordan Torunarigha.

This month, he was rewarded with a place amongst the nominees for the Rookie of the Month award in the Bundesliga.

However, off the pitch, Vuskovic’s future appears uncertain and there is mounting speculation that the Croatia international could be set to leave Tottenham without playing a senior competitive game for the north London club.

According to Bild, Barcelona have Vuskovic ‘in their sights’ as they scour the market for a tall, ball-playing defender. His agent Pini Zahavi is said to have a good relationship with Barca president Joan Laporta and both Hansi Flick and Robert Lewandowski have spoken with the centre-back.

Real Madrid are another European giant circling for Vuskovic having previously explored a bid for the 6 ft 4 in centre-half when he was a youth player, before his move to Spurs.

But with Ibrahima Konate believed to be Madrid’s top target, Vuskovic has been identified a potential long-term replacement for the France international at Liverpool.

The report stresses that Liverpool are serious about Vuskovic and the teen’s name is ‘being discussed’ internally by the key decision-makers on Merseyside.

The Reds aren’t the only Premier League team mulling over a move for Vuskovic, though, with Chelsea also credited with a strong interest and waiting in the wings.

Vuskovic is said to have a market value of around €60million (£52m) which could rise further should he enjoy a strong campaign with Croatia at this year’s World Cup.

Whether or not Tottenham manage to avoid relegation is likely to be a significant determining factor when the time comes for Vuskovic to make a decision on his next steps at the end of the season.

In an interview with Tportal last month, Vuskovic admitted he was in the dark about his future – but talked up the possibility of extending his stay with Hamburg beyond the summer.

‘I don’t know what will happen, we’ll talk about that in the summer,’ he told the Croatian outlet.

‘Tottenham is also being talked about because I’m their player until 2030.

‘So, after the World Cup, we’ll see what will happen and how to proceed. As for me, I wouldn’t mind staying at Hamburg, in fact.

‘Mario (his brother, who is currently sidelined due to a doping suspension) should start playing in the autumn, so I’d get the chance to play with him, which is my biggest wish at the moment.

‘You know how football is, you never know what will happen.’

Vuskovic has maintained close contact with various people at Spurs during his loan spell in Germany, explaining: ‘I talk to their scouting chief, nutritionist and physiotherapist a lot.

‘When I was there for two months, they saw that I was a professional and that they didn’t have to watch me every step of the way.

‘They trust me with my diet, training and everything, and that means a lot to me.

Asked if he felt ready to test himself in the Premier League next season, Vuskovic replied: ‘The Bundesliga is also a very difficult league.

‘It’s hard for me to say about the Premier League now, but I tell you, I’m not thinking too much about it or stressing myself out.

‘Let’s do this season properly, and then we’ll see in the summer what happens next.’

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Man Utd enter race to sign Tottenham star with £52m transfer clause

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Manchester United are considering a move for Tottenham captain Cristian Romero, according to reports in Spain.

The Argentina international appears on course to leave Spurs this summer after taking aim at the club’s hierarchy earlier this season.

Atletico Madrid made an attempt to sign Romero last year but refused to pay Spurs’ €55 million (£47m) asking price.

According to Marca, Atletico have retained their interest ahead of the summer transfer window and are considering a new move.

The report claims that Real Madrid are also considering a deal for Romero as they are looking to sign a new central defender, but Manchester United’s interest in the 27-year-old also represents a ‘major problem’ for Atletico.

Romero is said to have a special clause in his contract with Spurs which would allow him to join Atletico, Real Madrid or Barcelona this summer if a €60m (£51.9m) bid is submitted.

Speaking before Atletico knocked Spurs out of the Champions League this month, Diego Simeone made it clear that he was a huge admirer of the Tottenham captain.

‘I speak from a point of view as an Argentina fan. I admire his personality, his character, his defensive work and his football ability on the ball,’ Simeone said.

‘As a fan of Argentina, I have seen him play more games for the national team than I have for Spurs, but I’m a big fan of him, for sure.’

When asked about his future after Spurs’ Champions League exit, Romero said: ‘The truth is that I’m focused on the situation we’re in.

‘I have a lot of respect and affection for the club and I want to finish the season in the best way possible. We’ll see later but the most important thing now is to recover energy.’

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Igor Tudor informed of family bereavement immediately after Tottenham loss

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Tottenham’s interim manager Igor Tudor did not attend the post-match press conference following defeat to Nottingham Forest on Sunday as he was informed of a family bereavement.

Spurs were beaten 3-0 by Forest in north London, with goals from Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awoniyi.

The result sees Nottingham Forest climb above Tottenham, leaving Spurs in 17th, just one point and one place above West Ham, who lost at Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

While it was a disappointing result, football will seem insignificant for the Tottenham boss after the sad news he received about an immediate family member.

Posting on X shortly after the game, football.london’s Alasdair Gold wrote: ‘Igor Tudor will not be undertaking post-match media duties as he has just been informed of an immediate family bereavement.’

Bruno Saltor, Spurs’ assistant coach, handled media duties in Tudor’s absence, explaining: ‘It’s a personal family issue and obviously it’s a difficult moment for him and we’re just trying to support the best way we can.’

Asked when Tudor learned of the situation, he said: ‘I’m going to leave it there. As I said, it’s a personal matter.’

On the contest and crushing defeat, Saltor told the BBC: ‘If we focus on the result today, it’s a tough one to take. It’s a really difficult one.

‘If you focus on the last two games and the performance in the first half today, we were much better. But small details are going against us right now. The key is how we can be consistent with our performances throughout the 90 minutes.

‘The players care and they get affected. We need to be stronger than that. We need to be focussed on what we want to do. We need to keep improving and getting better.

‘We are in a relegation battle. Everyone knows. We are conscious of it. The players, they know. The most important thing is to be together. The fans showed they were next to us. From the start to the finish, they were outstanding. We felt the support. For us, we need to be stay connected.

‘We need to get even closer when there are problems like a family. That’s the message.

‘Still 21 points to play for. We have shown we can compete against any team. We need to keep improving and getting better to get those points.’

After a huge three points for his side, Forest boss Vitor Pereira told the BBC: ‘We started with a good level. But after 15-20 minutes, we started to lose a lot of possession, second balls and duels. We conceded a lot of set-pieces. We suffered until half-time.

‘In the second half, I asked them to be themselves and play at our level. I asked them to play the same way we started the game and told them something will happen. And I am happy that they played with personality and organisation. It was an important win.

‘I have a team that have the quality to play with the ball. But it’s difficult to play in our way if you lose the ball often. Tottenham were very aggressive in the duels. It was not our intention to defend but they pushed us.’

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Dominik Szoboszlai sends message to Liverpool fans who booed team off after Spurs draw

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Dominik Szoboszlai urged his teammates to ‘wake up’ after Liverpool conceded a last minute equaliser against Tottenham and squandered two points in the race for Champions League qualification.

The Hungary international looked likely to condemn Spurs to an eighth straight defeat when he opened the scoring with a first half free kick that Guglielmo Vicario should have saved.

Liverpool failed to build on that advantage, however, and Igor Tudor’s relegation threatened side were well worth the point they eventually earned when Richarlison scrambled home a late leveller.

Arne Slot’s outgoing Premier League champions are still well in the hunt for a top four place but with games running out they simply cannot afford to be so charitable.

The swagger and high-octane football that were hallmarks of last season’s team that swept to the title appear to have been lost and Szoboszlai struggled to explain another display that Sky Sports’ pundit Jamie Carragher called ‘a disaster’.

‘That is a huge disappointment,’ said the Liverpool midfielder who was deployed at right-back by Arne Slot.

‘I don’t know what happened, I have nothing to say. In the last minute, again, I don’t know how many times this season already. We have to wake up.

‘I feel flat. We have to wake up because if we carry on like this, we should be happy with the Conference League. I don’t know why this is happening, I honestly don’t know.

‘I think in the first-half we played very well, we controlled the whole game and they hardly created chances apart from one or two headers. Second half we just didn’t so the same things.

‘We will sit down together, and this is the most difficult time, but we have to stick together.’

Liverpool were booed off at the end of the game by a section of the Anfield faithful and Szoboszlai admitted he understood their frustations.

He said: ‘I didn’t hear the boos, but we can understand them. We are not performing how we should.

‘They should stand behind us because last season we became Champions four games before the end everybody was happy. Support us in a difficult time.”

‘There is still time to show how much we want it, we have to stick together and fight for the club.’

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Jamie Carragher urges Man Utd to snub Michael Carrick for ex-Arsenal manager

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Jamie Carragher has urged Manchester United to overlook Michael Carrick and give Unai Emery the Old Trafford job.

United’s resurgence under Carrick has made the caretaker manager the standout candidate for the permanent job.

Carrick’s return to his former club was only expected to be temporary but he has turned a struggling Manchester United side into one of the most in-form teams in the Premier League.

The Red Devils were fifth at the time of Ruben Amorim’s sacking in January but United are third ahead of Sunday’s crucial game against top-four rivals Aston Villa.

Carrick began his reign with back-to-back wins over local rivals Manchester City and title favourites Arsenal and has only lost one game since taking charge.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe heaped praise on Carrick in a recent interview and the ex-England midfielder is now believed to be the frontrunner for the permanent Manchester United job.

Carragher has been impressed by Carrick’s impact at Old Trafford but nevertheless views Emery as the ‘perfect’ candidate to take over at United.

Emery, 54, won trophies in Spain and France before a disappointing spell in charge of Arsenal following Arsene Wenger’s retirement.

The Spaniard has recovered his reputation at Aston Villa, however, taking a team that was batting relegation into the Champions League last year and briefly threatening to mount a title challenge this season.

‘Unai Emery should be heading to Old Trafford this weekend as the frontrunner to become the next Manchester United manager,’ Carragher told The Telegraph.

‘I suspect he does not rank high among the candidates. That is good news for Aston Villa, but it must be frustrating for one of the best, and still most underrated, coaches in Europe.

‘For Emery not to be under serious consideration says plenty about modern football. By any metric, he would be the perfect coach to revive United. For me, only Pep Guardiola ranks higher of those currently managing in England.

‘Here is a manager who wins trophies, has a clear football vision, a track record of revitalising clubs in need of a mini-revolution to break into the Champions League, and who demands respect while leading with authority.

‘Add the fact he is now proven in the Premier League, and such coaches are in short supply. Emery is not part of the conversation but he should be. The puzzling question is why?

‘Sadly for Emery, and happily for Villa, the Spaniard is painted as an overachiever at clubs trying to challenge the elite, and an underachiever at those who consider themselves already part of it.’

Discussing Carrick’s impact since his appointment as caretaker manager, United co-owner Ratcliffe said the former England midfielder was doing an ‘excellent job’ but refused to discuss the chances of him getting the job on a permanent basis.

Speaking publicly for the first time about Carrick since his appointment, Ratcliffe told Sky Sports: ‘He is doing an excellent job, yes, absolutely.’

But Ratcliffe refused to be drawn on appointing Carrick in a long-term role, saying: ‘No, not going there.’

Manchester United will be looking for revenge against Aston Villa after losing 2-1 to Emery’s side in the reverse fixture.

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Wayne Rooney makes Tottenham relegation prediction ahead of Liverpool vs Spurs

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Wayne Rooney makes Tottenham relegation prediction ahead of Liverpool vs Spurs - Metro.co.uk
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Wayne Rooney believes Tottenham will be relegated from the Premier League this season and has urged Robbie Keane not to take the job at Spurs.

Igor Tudor suffered his fourth defeat in charge of Spurs this week as his side were beaten 5-2 by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Spurs now turn their attention to the Premier League where they sit just a point above the relegation zone and play Liverpool at Anfield this Sunday.

Tudor’s position as interim manager is already under scrutiny but Rooney believes Spurs will be relegated from the Premier League this season, regardless of whether they sack the Croatian.

‘The players need to look at themselves because I think they’ve been an absolute disgrace,’ Rooney said on Stick to Football.

‘The performances, the attitude, the lack of desire, the lack of fight and there’s a lack of everything in them.

‘Last week I didn’t but after seeing what’s happened in the last couple of games I think they will go down.’

Gary Neville added: ‘I don’t think they will go down. I think if you’re going to make another change that, for me, probably needs to be today or tomorrow because you don’t wait.

‘My view is they will make a change and stay up just. That’s what I think will happen.’

Rooney replied: ‘I think they’ll go down.

‘That’s what I’m saying, if I’m Robbie Keane I wouldn’t leave a job to go into Tottenham now.

‘If it was Sherwood or whoever who is out of a job I’d go in, but if I’m Robbie Keane there’s no way I’d leave a job to go into Tottenham.’

Neville then said: ‘I don’t think that group of players will buy into the idea of bringing someone in who’s not been a coach for a long time just because they used to play for the club. They’ll just see right through that. It’ll have to be someone who’s been coaching recently.

‘Sean Dyche would take that job now, 100 per cent. To be in the game and have a chance to manage a top-six team, I know they’re not at the moment, I know it’s ridiculous saying that, but they are a massive club.

‘Tudor’s tried to go in a bit harder, be a bit more regimented and disciplined. It’s not working, they’re 100 per cent rejecting him. They will need someone to go in who’s got more of a man-management ability.’

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