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Tottenham return to UEFA Champions League action on Tuesday night and the familiarity of a competition they have performed well in this season.

Much like last year, Spurs' European form this year has been in stark contrast to their domestic form.

While they have lost nine of 15 games at their Tottenham Hotspur Stadium home in the Premier League this season, Spurs ended the Champions League league phase unbeaten in N17, winning all four games without conceding a goal.

A game in Europe's premier competition could come as light relief for the long-suffering supporters, as they take on La Liga giants Atletico Madrid in a two-legged last 16 encounter.

It will be interim head coach Igor Tudor's first European game in charge, having taken over from the sacked Thomas Frank in February.

Tudor will be hoping to be able to call upon as strong a squad as possible for the first leg clash at the Wanda Metropolitano, knowing one star he has not yet been able to call upon will be in the squad for the first time in his tenure.

Here GIVEMESPORT takes a look at the latest injury news ahead of the clash in the Spanish capital.

Key Tottenham Duo Back In Training

Djed Spence was missing from the squad that took on Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Thursday night, but he is in training ahead of the game in Madrid.

The same can be said for Radu Dragusin, who was also spotted in training before the team jetted off to Spain for the clash on Tuesday night.

Spurs have been handed further defensive boosts by their two first-choice centre-backs too. Cristian Romero will be back to wear the captain's armband for the first time under Tudor, with his Premier League suspension now ended and not valid for the Champions League anyway.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Tudor said of Romero: "He missed a lot. He was also not feeling good to be in the circumstances not to help the team. He has been doing a lot. He has been working with the fitness coach and doing a lot of running to be in a top condition. Now he can show tomorrow that he is a leader like always."

Meanwhile Micky van de Ven will also be available. His suspension for the red card he received against Palace is only valid for domestic football, so he will miss the game with Liverpool at the weekend.

Destiny Udogie is now into week five of the suggestion from former boss Frank that he would be out for "four or five weeks", so he could return for the game with Liverpool.

All The Spurs Players Unavailable

Lucas Bergvall is not far away from a return to action following surgery on his ankle injury, but it is likely to be another month before we see him again. After the March international break is the likely date for his return to action. Reports in Sweden have said that his rehabilitation is 'going in the right direction'.

That will be the same for Mohammed Kudus following his hamstring injury.

Dejan Kulusevski, Ben Davies, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison and Wilson Odobert all remain long-term injuries and may not be seen again this season.

There could be a firesale at Tottenham Hotspur this summer, if the worst was to happen and the Lilywhites were to be relegated to the Championship.

Spurs sit 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above the bottom three with nine games of the season to be played.

They are in horrendous form, failing to win any game in 2026, going on an 11-game winless stretch, while others in the battle to avoid relegation like West Ham United and Nottingham Forest have been picking up points here and there.

Tottenham Stars Prepared For Huge Wage Cut

Spurs have made a change in the head coach position, with Thomas Frank sacked in February to be replaced by Igor Tudor on an interim basis. And there will be wholesale changes in the playing squad in the summer if the club are playing in the second tier for the first time since 1978.

The Tottenham players are facing a huge wage cut if they are relegated, with former chairman Daniel Levy putting relegation clauses into all contracts to guard against the worst coming to fruition.

And that could lead to a number of high-profile players looking for a route out of N17 when the summer transfer window opens.

There is sure to be plenty of interest from other Premier League clubs and side in Europe's top five leagues for a number of the Spurs players and one is already being linked with a move away and could be the first to depart.

According to reports, Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is ready to make a move to sign Dominic Solanke this summer, to team up with the striker he had during his time at Bournemouth again.

Dominic Solanke Could Reunite With His Former Boss

Solanke has scored five goals in 12 Premier League and Champions League games this season, despite struggling with injury for much of the campaign.

Spurs would be reluctant to sell the striker, who could prove to be hugely beneficial to their hopes of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking. However, were the Magpies to stump up the £65million that Spurs paid Bournemouth for him in 2024, it may be too good to turn down.

Howe is a huge fan of the 28-year-old striker, saying during his time at the Vitality Stadium: "He’s an outstanding player, I have said that from day one, and he’ll only continue to get better.”

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be seriously considering appointing former Juventus man Cristiano Giuntoli after he was spotted watching their game against Crystal Palace last week.

Spurs are in the market for a new director after it was confirmed that Fabio Paratici left the club following the conclusion of the January transfer window.

It could be a crucial summer transfer window approaching for Tottenham, regardless of what happens over the coming months.

If they are relegated from the Premier League, and they rip up any transfer plans they've already made, and if they survive, they will undoubtedly be looking to overhaul the squad after consecutive disappointing campaigns.

Getting the right people in place behind the scenes will be imperative, and they'll want them in as soon as possible so they can begin their work ahead of an important window.

Tottenham Seriously Considering Appointing Italian

According to a report from Napoli Magazine, Tottenham are seriously considering appointing former Juventus director Giuntoli.

The 54-year-old was recently spotted at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for their game against Crystal Palace, although Fabrizio Romano only claimed that he was only there to watch one of his former colleagues, Igor Tudor.

Tottenham are in the market for a new director, so it certainly wouldn't be a surprise if Giuntoli, who is currently without a club, was attending due to Spurs holding an interest.

A report from The Telegraph recently claimed that Tottenham's process of finding a new sporting director is underway, with former Crystal Palace chief Dougie Freedman one of the names on their shortlist.

Tottenham have some incredibly important decisions to make heading into the summer, and they could be heading into a new era with a new sporting director and manager.

Giuntoli an Award-Winning Director

Giuntoli is certainly a well-respected director in the game, and he even won the best sporting director at the Globe Soccer Awards in 2024.

The 54-year-old has also received some strong praise from John Elkann, describing him as someone who 'builds champions'.

"It’s the arrival in Turin of Cristiano Giuntoli, the new sporting director, who represents adaptation and innovation, in perfect continuity with our history. Giuntoli will bring to Juventus a way of working that enhances young talents and builds champions.”

It could be a bit of a coup if Tottenham are able to bring Giuntoli through the door, but there's no doubt they'll likely need to ensure they remain in the Premier League.

Giuntoli's Best Signings as a Sporting Director

GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT to name some of the best signings Giuntoli has made during his career.

Best signings by sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli

Gary Lineker has urged Tottenham Hotspur to do something 'mad' and make the shock re-appointment of Harry Redknapp as their manager until the end of the season.

Igor Tudor arrived as caretaker Tottenham manager last month with the Croat's goal to not only keep the club in the Premier League, but also move them up the table.

However, things have gone from bad to worse for Spurs since the 47-year-old replaced Thomas Frank, with the north Londoners losing three matches in a row and showing no sign of improvement.

Tottenham looked to be on course for a more positive result against Crystal Palace at home on Thursday as they took the lead through Dominic Solanke, before a disastrous 10-minute spell that saw stand-in captain Micky van de Ven sent off and three goals conceded.

Spurs now lie just one point above the relegation zone ahead of their trip to Liverpool this weekend, with the genuine unthinkable possibility that they will be playing second-tier football next term.

Lineker Suggests Another Tottenham Change is Needed

While you can point to the injury issues Tudor has also had to deal with since being appointed, what is most genuinely concerning is the lack of improvement in terms of performances from the players.

You are usually expected to get a new manager bounce when a coach arrives at a club, but it simply hasn't happened with Sky Sports presenter Marcus Buckland claiming on Sunday that there is chaos behind the scenes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and that the players are 'seething' with the situation.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Rest is Football podcast, Lineker urged the club to end the Tudor experiment and bring in the experienced Redknapp.

The pundit said:

"Honestly, I don't think it would be a bad idea to bring someone like Harry Redknapp in. Not someone like [him], but Harry Redknapp.

"I know it sounds a bit mad and he's been out of the game for a while, but you know what he's like, that big personality, lifting everybody in a moment of crisis. A little bit like Martin O'Neill's done on a couple of occasions at Celtic and lifted them."

Redknapp a Risk Worth Taking

While there is no doubting the quality of some of the players in Tottenham's squad, what is a big issue right now is the lack of confidence.

Redknapp is known for being a strong man-manager who knows how to get the best out of his team.

Of course there will be concerns that he has been out of management since leaving Birmingham City in 2017, but this nine-game run is almost a one-off where Spurs just need confidence and results.

There is no sign of that happening yet under Tudor, and if Spurs are to pivot to another option, then an experienced club legend like Redknapp might not be the worst shout.

Tottenham are preparing to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, and Igor Tudor has been boosted with two of his stars returning to training after missing the game against Crystal Palace.

Tudor has endured a difficult start to life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but he's not exactly been dealt a strong hand.

Spurs have a host of injury problems to contend with, and that has undoubtedly contributed to their disappointing form this season, particularly since the turn of the year.

Since joining the club, Tudor has lost all three of his games in charge, meaning every fixture is now crucial with the threat of relegation looking more serious week after week. The distraction of the Champions League might not help their chances of survival in the Premier League, but Tudor's side need to find some momentum from somewhere.

Tottenham's Double Injury Boost

According to journalist Ryan Taylor, both Djed Spence and Radu Dragusin have returned to training ahead of their Champions League clash against Atletico.

Both Spence and Dragusin were missing from the squad to face Crystal Palace last week, so it's a huge boost for Tudor having two senior players return.

Whether the game against Atletico comes too soon or not remains to be seen, but it's important that they are available for the Premier League at the weekend, especially with Micky van de Ven suspended.

Archie Gray and young left-back Souza started as Tottenham's wing-back options against Palace, so it certainly wouldn't be a surprise to see Spence come straight into the starting XI vs Atletico.

Atletico Madrid: A Lose-Lose Situation?

Tottenham's one and only priority right now has to be to stay in the Premier League ahead of next season.

Unfortunately, that might mean the Champions League takes a back seat, and in reality, it's probably an unwelcome distraction for Spurs at the minute.

If Spurs win the two-legged tie against Atletico, they'll have more games to contend with, which isn't easy to deal with considering their injury situation.

If they lose, it's more pressure on the players to turn things around, and they could do with gathering momentum ahead of returning to Premier League action at the weekend.

It's somewhat of a lose-lose situation for Spurs.

Tottenham Hotspur can stun Premier League rivals Manchester United and get one over on them by winning the race to hire Roberto De Zerbi, after holding talks over hiring the Italian.

Both clubs have interim managers in place until the end of the season, although they have had differing fortunes with Spurs in a much worse position than United heading into the final nine matches of the 2025-26 campaign.

Tottenham have lost all three matches of Igor Tudor's caretaker reign and lie just one point above the Premier League relegation zone, with Championship football next term a real possibility after the north Londoners have gone 11 games without a win.

Meanwhile, United are flying high in third with Carrick winning six of his eight top-flight fixtures at the helm, although he tasted defeat for the first time against 10-man Newcastle United at St James' Park last week.

Tottenham Hold Talks Over De Zerbi Appointment

The Telegraph reported last week that Tottenham have held talks over appointing De Zerbi as their next permanent manager.

GIVEMESPORT sources had revealed last month that the Italian was willing to travel to London to hold face-to-face talks with Spurs over the job to see if the project would work for him now, having turned down the role previously.

Of course, Tottenham being in the Premier League and Tottenham being in the Championship are two totally different propositions, so Spurs making an attractive pitch would surely depend on preserving their top-flight status.

De Zerbi, described as 'one of the best managers in the world' by Arne Slot and 'world-class' by Adam Lallana, is open to making a return to the Premier League having left his job at Marseille earlier this year, after his success at Brighton and Hove Albion in England previously.

Spurs Could Stun Man United With De Zerbi Hire

While an appointment is most likely at the end of the season, Tottenham could be forced to make a permanent hire earlier than that if Tudor's poor form continues.

It remains to be seen whether De Zerbi will be willing to arrive in the next weeks and try and keep Spurs in the Premier League, but if not, it is something that will be more likely if and when they guarantee their spot in the top flight for 2026-27.

Nevertheless, Tottenham know they will be getting a replacement for Tudor in the summer, but Carrick's success as a caretaker means there is more uncertainty over the permanent position at Old Trafford.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to want to appoint United's next boss before the World Cup kicks off on June 11, which would rule out the likes of Julian Nagelsmann, Carlo Ancelotti and Mauricio Pochettino, who will all be managing at the tournament.

According to GMS sources, De Zerbi is one of United's preferred external managerial candidates, alongside Nagelsmann and Roberto Martinez, with the Spaniard another manager set to appear at the World Cup.

If Carrick continues with the same results he's had so far and secures Champions League qualification, it could be difficult to look beyond him, but Spurs may have the chance to act quicker and more decisively in the coming months for a manager they should be able to land earlier than another candidate in Pochettino.

Tottenham are interested in appointing former Juventus manager Thiago Motta as a replacement for Igor Tudor, according to a report from TuttoSport.

Spurs will certainly be looking for a new manager in the summer, with Tudor only signing a deal until the end of the season. Tudor is already under heavy pressure after losing his first three games in charge, and it doesn't get any easier for Spurs as they travel to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Tottenham might have to consider changing their manager once again if their current form continues, particularly in the Premier League, where they are in serious danger of being relegated to the Championship.

Tottenham Eyeing Former Juventus Manager

According to a report from TuttoSport, Tottenham are showing an interest in appointing former Juventus boss Motta as a replacement for Tudor.

It's claimed that Roberto De Zerbi is another serious contender, while reports have also linked Mauricio Pochettino with the job after the World Cup later this year.

Motta has been out of work since being sacked as Juventus manager back in March, and interestingly, he was replaced by now-Tottenham boss Tudor.

Juventus were the fourth Italian club Motta has managed, but he's now been out of action for around a year. Being a free agent, it should be a relatively straightforward appointment if Spurs do make a move, but he's among a host of names currently being linked with the job.

Motta, described as 'one of the best managers in Europe' by CBS Sports journalist Francesco Porzio, is yet to ply his trade in the Premier League, or even outside of Italy, so it will be interesting to see if he's keen on a move to England in the summer.

Tottenham Have Big Decision to Make

After some impressive recent results for Nottingham Forest and West Ham, Tottenham are in serious danger of being relegated from the Premier League unless they turn things around fast.

If their form continues under Tudor, Tottenham are going to have to consider making another change in the dugout. Relegation would be a complete disaster for the north London club, and considering they are still yet to win in 2026, their chances of going down are strengthening every single week.

Thiago Motta's Record as Manager

Genoa (2019) — 20% win rate (2 wins in 10 games). Short stint; dismissed after poor early results.

Spezia (2021–2022) — 28% win rate (11 wins in 40 games). Kept the club in Serie A despite a limited squad.

Bologna (2022–2024) — 43% win rate (35 wins in 82 games). His standout spell, guiding Bologna to a historic Champions League qualification.

Juventus (2024–2025) — ≈43% win rate (18 wins in 42 matches). Dismissed despite relatively few defeats due to too many draws.

The situation behind the scenes at Tottenham Hotspur is 'desperate' with key players 'seething', according to Sky Sports presenter and Spurs fan Marcus Buckland.

Tottenham would have been hoping to react to a win for West Ham United and a draw for Nottingham Forest with a positive result at home to Crystal Palace, but instead they were beaten 3-1 and lost Micky van de Ven to suspension following his red card for bringing Ismaila Sarr down.

Spurs are now without a Premier League win in 11 games and lie just one point above the relegation zone with a trip to Liverpool next.

Igor Tudor has lost all three of his matches at the helm with no sign of improvement from the Thomas Frank era, which means that Championship football next term is a real possibility.

Tottenham Hierarchy Described as 'Clueless' by Source

While there is quite rightly a lot of anger towards the first-team management and players right now, things are not good at a board or ownership level either.

According to Buckland, posting on X on Sunday, Tottenham's hierarchy have been described as 'clueless' by a source inside the club, with the presenter revealing that they tried to appoint Igor Tudor prior to hiring Thomas Frank, before turning back to him last month.

Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange were targeted by some supporters during the defeat to Oliver Glasner's men on Thursday, for their role in the club's downfall this season.

Tottenham Players 'Seething' With Situation

According to Buckland, Tottenham's players are said to be 'seething' with the current situation at the club, with the presenter naming Cristian Romero and Van de Ven as two players who fans shouldn't expect much from when they return to the pitch.

Spurs skipper Romero will be available following his four-match suspension for the trip to Anfield, while Van de Ven will miss the same game having been red-carded for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Pedro Porro was visibly angry when he was taken off against the Eagles during the week, while Guglielmo Vicario is said to be determined to secure a move back to Serie A this summer.

It's no real surprise that Tottenham's players would be furious with the club finding themselves in a genuine relegation battle, but they are the ones who can get the club out of it.

The current lack of spirit and know-how in a relegation battle, which West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United all have, could prove costly.

Supercomputer Predicts Final Premier League Table

According to Opta's supercomputer prediction, there is good news for Tottenham as they are tipped to remain in 16th position and survive the drop by three points.

London rivals West Ham will go down, according to Opta, in what would be a double celebration for Spurs.

Let's see how the next few weeks pan out because there are likely to be more twists and turns, including when Tottenham host Nottingham Forest later this month.

We are now into the final stretch of the 2025/26 Premier League season, and while there is plenty of interest in the title race between Arsenal and Manchester City, there is just as much excitement in the relegation battle. This is mainly because Tottenham Hotspur are now one of the prime candidates to go down.

At the foot of the table sit Wolves, and despite a recent resurgence, Rob Edwards' men look all but set to finish in the bottom three. As do Burnley, who have just three more points. The final spot, however, is up for grabs.

West Ham United and Nottingham Forest both have 28 points, with the Hammers in 18th due to goal difference. Tottenham sit just one place and one point ahead with nine games to play. Leeds, in 15th, then place another spot higher and two points clear of Spurs.

Fans of each team will be desperately checking the fixtures list, trying to work out which games they might have a chance of picking up a few vital points in. With that in mind, their final run of matches have each been ranked.

Leeds United

The good news for Leeds United is that they have, on paper, the easiest run of fixtures. Across their final nine games of the season, Daniel Farke's men hold an average league position of 13.2. While away trips to Manchester United and Bournemouth could be tricky, the 'strongest' team they will face at Elland Road is now Brentford, currently 7th.

A 1-0 home loss against Sunderland last time out wouldn't have helped nerves, but Leeds are masters of their own destiny here. The main worry, though, will be that they have to travel away to Tottenham and West Ham in two of the final three games of the season. That final-day trip to the London Stadium could be a relegation decider for the two teams.

Tottenham Hotspur

While many are shocked to see Tottenham languishing in 16th with just nine league games to finish, it should not be forgotten that the north London outfit finished 17th in 2024/25. Perhaps relegation would be a natural regression for a team that appears to have got so much wrong both on and off the pitch in the past few years. The club will be desperate to avoid the drop, and fortunately, they have an easier run-in than the two teams directly below them.

While an away trip to Liverpool next up is especially daunting, seeing as interim coach Igor Tudor has lost all three league games so far, Tottenham can fix things just a week later. Indeed, a home visit of Nottingham Forest could help Spurs wrestle back some control. Leeds also have to visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which could make for a pivotal encounter. Trips to Aston Villa and Chelsea in two of their final four games, however, almost guarantee a nervy end to the season.

Nottingham Forest

It says something that Nottingham Forest are on their fourth manager of the campaign, with Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche all sacked before Vitor Pereira came in. The Portuguese manager has been tasked with steadying things on the pitch, but with Forest chief Edu Gaspar also now fired, the City Ground is not exactly a picture of stability right now.

With all that chaos in mind, the club will be concerned by a fairly tricky run of fixtures to come, with the average league position of their final nine opponents being 9.8. A surprise point against Manchester City will have boosted spirits and the upcoming home match against Fulham will be targeted as a big opportunity to pick up just an eighth win of the season. After that, all eyes will be on Forest's trip to Tottenham – whatever happens there could be a turning point for either team.

West Ham

West Ham United have has a strange season which started miserably under Graham Potter and has only marginally improved under Nuno Espirito Santo. As a result, which nine games to play, they are stuck in the relegation zone and may have a tricky time as they try to escape.

The host Man City next before then going away to Aston Villa. Any kind of result against either team will be seen as a big bonus, with fans likely pessimistic about their team's chances. At least Wolves' visit will be viewed as a welcome opportunity to come into a game as favourites for once, but the remaining fixture list from that point on isn't too friendly. The only direct relegation rival West Ham play from then on is Leeds at home on the final day of the season. The loser of that may well find themselves playing Championship football in 2026/27.

Guglielmo Vicario is 'drained' by his experience in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur and wants to return to Italy as soon as possible, according to Tuttosport.

Rumours prior to Thursday night's defeat at home to Crystal Palace suggested that the Italian goalkeeper was going to be dropped for the first time in the Premier League this season by caretaker boss Igor Tudor, but he did remain between the sticks.

It was another night to forget for the 29-year-old and his Spurs teammates with relegation now a genuine possibility, as they lie one point above the relegation zone and without a win in their last 11 Premier League matches.

Whether they remain in the top flight or do go down to the Championship, it appears as though Vicario is determined to force his way out.

Vicario Doesn't Have Good Relationship With Tudor

According to Tuttosport, Vicario is determined to make a move to Serie A as soon as possible, following his previous spell in the Italian top tier with Empoli.

The exit of Thomas Frank and arrival of Tudor on an interim basis hasn't improved the Italian's mood, with the duo said to have a 'less than idyllic relationship'. It has only increased Vicario's desire to leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The report says that the 29-year-old's wish is to join Juventus, Tudor's former club, in the summer, given the confidence he has in coach Luciano Spalletti.

Spalletti promoted Vicario to Italy number one over Gianluigi Donnarumma, and while negotiations are yet to take place, initial contact has been made over a summer transfer.

Tottenham are said to be willing to sell for €20m (£17.3m), with his salary in London no problem for Juve.

Time for Both Parties to Move on

While Vicario will have been Tottenham's undisputed number one for three seasons come May, it is time for a parting of the ways, no matter which division Tottenham find themselves in.

Even though Frank labelled him 'exceptional' earlier this season, the 29-year-old has never really convinced people that he is a top number one who is irreplaceable, while rumours surrounding him wanting to return to Italy have increased tenfold in recent months.

Vicario is seen to have a weakness when it comes to penalty kicks, having only saved five out of a possible 43, while other parts of his game have come under scrutiny too.

Tudor was visibly annoyed when the Italian hit a free-kick straight out of play during defeat to Fulham last weekend.

Who Should Tottenham Sign to Replace Vicario?

GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT who Tottenham should sign to replace Vicario if he leaves this summer, and this is what it said:

'Tottenham should target a reliable, modern goalkeeper if replacing Guglielmo Vicario. The most realistic option is James Trafford, currently linked with Spurs and considered their top target due to his strong distribution and Premier League potential.

'Other credible options include Dean Henderson, who offers proven Premier League experience, and highly rated young prospects such as Robin Risser. Trafford would provide long-term stability, Henderson immediate reliability, and Risser future upside.

'Overall, Tottenham should prioritise Trafford: he fits a modern build-from-the-back style and could become a long-term No.1 for the club.'