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Given Tottenham Hotspur's current situation on the pitch, it's fair to say that sporting director Johan Lange and CEO Vinai Venkatesham are not the most popular names among the club's fanbase.

Spurs remain outside the Premier League relegation zone by just a point ahead of the visit of Crystal Palace to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night, but it feels like them keeping their noses just above danger has been largely down to the form of the teams around them.

The north London club's defeat to Fulham on Sunday meant they have now gone 10 Premier League matches without a win for the first time since 1994, while they remain without a top flight win in 2026 with their last three points coming against Sunderland at the end of December.

New caretaker manager Igor Tudor has lost both of his matches in charge after Tottenham officials decided to go down that route, rather than making a permanent appointment.

Lange and Venkatesham will hope the club has enough to stay up in the next weeks, and then they can focus on making the right appointment to try and take Tottenham back to the top next season.

Tottenham Targeting Mauricio Pochettino Return

According to GIVEMESPORT sources, Tottenham have identified former boss Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi as two of the frontrunners for the job in the summer.

Spurs probably ideally would have tried to get the Argentine now for the run-in, but it was impossible with the 54-year-old focused on leading the USA at their home World Cup this summer.

If Tottenham do pick the 'world-class' Pochettino as their preferred candidate, they will likely have to wait until deep in the summer before a move can be completed and he can begin work at Hotspur Way.

Lange and Venkatesham have come under fire for recruitment and managerial decisions in recent months, and the duo will know they need to get the next permanent appointment right to keep their jobs safe.

Pochettino's last job in club football was with Chelsea, where he lasted less than 12 months before being dismissed in 2024.

The Appointment the Fans Want

Pochettino was a huge favourite among the Tottenham faithful during his five years in charge previously, which culminated in him leading the club to the Champions League final.

That love hasn't disappeared, and the supporters made their feelings for the Argentine clear as they chanted his name during what proved to be Thomas Frank's final match in charge against Newcastle.

Tottenham are in a dire situation with a real disconnect at the club between the fans and the players, and Pochettino has proved before that he can unite everyone and bring a feel-good atmosphere to home games - something that has been missing for a while.

The other potential advantage to hiring the 54-year-old is that, according to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs, the Argentine is even open to managing Spurs in the Championship should the worst happen, depending on the deal.

That proves his commitment to Tottenham, and the appointment is a no-brainer for the senior chiefs as they look to get fans back onside.

Barcelona have intensified their pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur star Micky Van de Ven for this summer, according to Sport.

The north London club have had an atrocious season so far, and currently sit just one place above the relegation zone in the Premier League, with Igor Tudor still looking for his first points as interim manager since replacing Thomas Frank last month.

Their form this season means that they will not be playing in the Champions League next season unless they somehow win it this year, and that means that several of their top stars are likely to be looked at for transfers elsewhere.

Barcelona Eyeing Van de Ven

One of those players being eyed up for a move is Van de Ven, with the star defender increasingly unhappy with the on-field performances of the club.

Barcelona are keen to bring in a top-level left-footed centre back this summer, with Inter Milan star Alessandro Bastoni widely considered to be their top target. However, Inter Milan are not in a position to sell and don't want to, meaning the asking price is high and a deal is difficult to do.

That has seen the Spanish giants increase their efforts to sign the Netherlands international this summer, and it's understood that it is 'very likely' that he will leave Spurs before next season begins.

Van de Ven is seen by Barcelona officials as a perfect fit for the profile they want to add to their squad this summer, and the player himself doesn't want to stay at Spurs, with the club 'in crisis'.

Barcelona also believe that the 24-year-old, who has been described as 'world-class', would prioritise a move to the Camp Nou over any other interested parties, including Premier League clubs, and his €65m (£56.5m) price tag isn't seen as a huge hurdle.

Tottenham May Have to Cut Their Losses

It's evident that all is not well with Spurs heading into the summer, and it will take an almighty effort from the owners to turn things around for everyone.

Van de Ven has already turned down talks over a new deal with the club due to all the uncertainty, and because of that they may well be forced to cash in and avoid a mutiny. He's one of their best players, so they can demand a big fee, and use that to strengthen their squad for the new season.

GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT who Spurs could sign as a viable replacement, and this was its response:

Dele Alli was once one of the most talented English footballers on the planet. Bursting onto the scene as a teenager with Tottenham Hotspur, he won the PFA Young Player of the Year award in back-to-back seasons in 2015/16 and 2016/17.

It wasn't long, however, before his career hit a bit of a wall. Having fallen out of favour at Spurs, the midfielder joined Everton in 2022, but failed to ever find any real form with the Toffees. He then spent a spell on loan at Besiktas, but again did not deliver his best.

Leaving Goodison Park in 2024, Dele eventually found a new club in 2025. Over in Italy, he signed for Como, got sent off on his debut and was then informed he would not be getting a new contract as he was released in September 2025.

Now in 2026, he remains a free agent but has at least been able to train with a Premier League club.

Alli Trains With Premier League Club to Build Fitness

As per The Athletic, Alli is training individually at his former club Tottenham Hotspur to maintain fitness while he searches for a new team. The report notes that the 29-year-old has been permitted to train on an academy pitch at Hotspur Way, their Hertfordshire base.

Spurs have confirmed the news, as it was revealed that he has actually been with the club for a few weeks now. He was even seen working with an individual coach on Wednesday.

Dele scored 67 goals and provided 59 assists in 269 Tottenham games during his six-and-a-half seasons in north London. He also made 37 England appearances, scoring at both Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup.

Dele was actually a guest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during the 4-1 north London derby defeat to rivals Arsenal in February, and even came onto the pitch at half-time. He told the crowd:

“I can’t wait to get back on the pitch playing, hopefully it won’t be too long now.

“I hope you’ve missed me as much as I’ve missed you. A lot has happened in our journeys since we were last together but I’m back today and I hope you know that you’ll always be my family.”

Dele will perhaps be hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow English midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who recently trained with Arsenal, even playing for the U21 team, before earning a move to Celtic.

In February, another former club, MK Dons were linked with a possible move for Alli. On top of that, four Spanish top-flight clubs, including Elche were also touted as possible destinations for the 29-year-old.

It will be interesting to see where he ends up next. For now, it remains unlikely that he would do enough to earn a second chance at Tottenham, who can't afford to take any risks on the pitch with the threat of relegation looming.

The sparkle we were starting to see from Xavi Simons in a Tottenham shirt has been lost since Igor Tudor arrived in north London.

Simons was Spurs' big £51milion signing in the summer, brought in to fill the creative void left by the injured James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

It took the Dutchman time to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League and early indications were that it was not money well spent, but slowly but surely the 22-year-old began to adapt and as the season wore on we started to see signs of the talent he has and what he had to offer in the Premier League.

Has Thomas Frank's Departure Had a Bigger Effect On Xavi Simons?

However, it seems like Thomas Frank's departure has hit Simons harder than others. The Dutchman was starting to find his feet, but that progress seems to have been curtailed by Igor Tudor.

Tudor was brought in as a firefighter, an interim manager to get Tottenham out of relegation trouble they had got themselves in under Frank. But so far, two games in, he has not made a difference.

The players still look bereft of ideas, with problems defensively, a lack of shape and no attacking intent. Simons was used in a two behind Randal Kolo Muani against Arsenal and then on the left of a front three against Fulham.

He had little joy whatsoever and little impact on either game.

He was hooked, alongside Conor Gallagher - a January big-money signing - before the hour mark in the defeat to Fulham, showing how ineffective he was.

Xavi Simons' Best Position is Clear

But Simons is wasted on the left. He needs to be playing in the No.10 role, finding the space in behind the striker, to be most effective. He - and Spurs as a result - are being stymied in an attacking sense with this set-up.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, football.london's Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold said: "He (Tudor) took off Tottenham's two big, important signings, barring [Mohammed] Kudus who is obviously injured, their most expensive signings, barring him in Xavi Simons and Conor Gallagher, before the hour mark, it was about 58 minutes! There's £81million worth of talent there.

"They barely offered a thing between them against Fulham. I don't know whether it says a lot about the tactics, the starting lineup, or whether it just speaks of a wider sense about Tottenham's transfer activity, I don't know, but they were just pretty awful to be honest.

"Xavi Simons is an inconsistent player, we know that while he's still trying to adjust to the Premier League, but I'd also say his talents are wasted on the left flank. I don't like him there. I can understand it in certain games you're scared almost to play through the middle, but I'd love him to play behind strikers. I do think he can kind of do more there."

What's Next For Tottenham Hotspur?

Tottenham take on Crystal Palace on Thursday night in a huge clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. With Nottingham Forest and West Ham both playing on Wednesday night, they could be even further in relegation trouble by the time they kick off.

One thing is for sure though, if they have any chance of putting a string of results together, Tudor must starting putting square pegs in square holes and that starts with Simons in the No.10 role.

Tottenham take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Thursday night aiming to move away from the relegation zone.

To do that they will need to do something they have not done in 2026 yet - win a game of Premier League football.

Spurs are winless in 2026, with four draws and six defeat from their ten matches, which has plunged them deep into the relegation mire.

Going into Thursday's game they could be further in trouble, with West Ham United and Nottingham Forest both in action before them on Wednesday night.

Igor Tudor, like Thomas Frank before him, has struggled to get a tune out of the Spurs players since arriving in north London, but has been hamstrung by the huge number of injuries in N17.

Djed Spence Will Not Return For Palace Clash

And there is no help with returning players coming back for the game against the Eagles at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tudor has held his pre-match press conference ahead of the game on Thursday night and confirmed that one player who he might have hoped would return to action will not be available.

Tudor said: "Djed Spence is out. Kevin [Danso] came back in the last game."

When asked when Spence would be back, Tudor added: "We hope for the Champions League game."

Tottenham will be without nine other players for the home game with Palace - eight through injury and Cristian Romero through suspension, as the Argentine sits out the last of his four-match ban for his red card against Manchester United.

Destiny Udogie is now into week four of former boss Thomas Frank's assessment that it would be "four or five weeks" that he would be missing.

Meanwhile, Tudor hinted at an update on Dejan Kulusevski during his press conference last week, but offered nothing this time around.

"No other news," he said in response to a question about an update on Udogie and Kulusevski.

Spurs Still have a Number Of Players Out Long-Term

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.

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

The threat of relegation to the Championship is looming large over Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs have been in England's top flight since 1978, with that one season in Division Two in 1977/78 the only year the Lilywhites have spent out of the top flight in 76 years.

But with ten games of the current Premier League season to go, Spurs are just two places and four points above the relegation zone and in danger of dropping into the second tier.

There were warning signs last season, with Tottenham finishing 17th under Ange Postecoglou, although the Australian did prioritise Europe, with Spurs winning the UEFA Europa League title.

And domestic form - or lack thereof - has continued under Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor this season, following Postecoglou's sacking at the end of the season.

Tottenham have a huge number of international players in their squad and it has already been revealed that there would be a massive pay cut for players should they get relegated. Many of the highest profile players are unlikely to stick around for a year - and potentially more - in the Championship and would look to secure a transfer out of the club.

But there are certain stars who could be willing to put the work in and help the club back into the Premier League. Here GIVEMESPORT takes a look at predicting what the starting lineup could be in the Championship.

Tottenham Already Have The Perfect Goalkeeper

Guglielmo Vicario has already been linked with an exit from the club this summer, with plenty of interest from back home in Italy. He has endured a difficult relationship with the Spurs supporters and surely would be unwilling to drop down to the second tier with the club.

Antonin Kinsky is just 22 years of age and was signed for the future. He needs game time and a drop to the Championship would see that come to fruition, with the Czech getting used to English football in the second tier before becoming a more established Premier League regular afterwards.

Brandon Austin has been with the club since he was a boy and is likely to be kept on to play second fiddle to Kinsky.

Big Changes Will Be Required At The Back

Let's be brutally honest about this, World Cup winner Cristian Romero and Dutch international Micky van de Ven will not be playing Championship football. If Spurs are relegated, both will be looking to move on.

Radu Dragusin has been linked with an exit ahead of the summer transfer window with Spurs in the Premier League currently, so he is likely to move on too. Kevin Danso is an interesting one though, who could stick it out.

Tottenham do have two young centre-backs out on loan who could easily slot into the side in the Championship and gain huge experience of the English game. Luka Vuskovic has been brilliant for Hamburg and there are plenty of teams after him but at 19 and with a big contract in north London, a year in the Championship might not be the worst thing in the world. Kota Takai is another who needs English football experience and would have a key role to play.

At full-back, you can't imagine Pedro Porro sticking around, but Djed Spence has experience of the second tier already under his belt and could be convinced to stay for a season. Souza is new to England and will get a good run in the side if Spurs are in the Championship to get used to a new country. Destiny Udogie has had so many injury problems he may stay as well with clubs potentially not taking a punt on signing him, so he could still be around too.

The Midfield Conundrum Awaits

Conor Gallagher was a big-money signing in the January transfer window and chose Spurs over Aston Villa. He is on big wages - which would be cut naturally - and would not have signed for Spurs to play Championship football. However, he does have experience of the second tier and is the sort of character who could stay and fight.

Archie Gray came from Leeds in the Championship when he was 18, so he knows the league well and could really ignite his Tottenham career with a season in the second tier playing in his favoured central midfield position.

It would be a huge boost for Spurs to have Lucas Bergvall in the middle too, but it remains to be seen if the highly-rated 20-year-old would be willing to stick it out in the Championship.

Yves Bissouma is at the end of his contract and you've got to think Rodrigo Bentancur and Xavi Simons would have no interest in playing second tier football.

James Maddison, having been out injured all season, could be the sort of player to stick around.

Pape Matar Sarr has always been on the fringes of the starting XI and could get an extended run in the team to make the position his own in the Championship.

The Forward Line Is A Concern

Wilson Odobert, while injured now, is just 21 years old and was relegated to the Championship with Burnley. While he left the Clarets to sign for Tottenham, he will not be back from injury until the summer is over so he will take one of the positions in the forward line.

Mathys Tel came in from Bayern Munich for big money, yet has failed to tie down a regular starting spot under Postecoglou, Frank or Tudor. He may not want to play in the Championship, but he would be a regular starter in the side.

Mikey Moore will return from his loan spell at Rangers, where he has shone and will be expecting to start Premier League games, but if Spurs are in the Championship he would surely relish a regular starting spot to prove his worth.

You can't imagine Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison and Dominic Solanke wanting to play in the Championship, given their standing in the game.

Young forward Yang min-hyeok has had Championship experience on loan and would come straight into the first-team picture at Tottenham.

Mauricio Pochettino would be open to a return to Tottenham Hotspur even if they get relegated to the Championship, GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs has revealed.

The north London club are set to be on the lookout for a new permanent manager after the season and are believed to have included Pochettino, as well as former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and ex-striker Robbie Keane, on their shortlist.

With Igor Tudor tasked to steer Spurs out of the relegation battle, the Croatian tactician is highly unlikely to remain in the job beyond the season, no matter the outcome.

Pochettino’s contract with the United States only runs until the end of this year’s World Cup, and the Argentine has recently revealed he is ‘open to everything’ when discussing his next role.

Pochettino Open to Tottenham Return

Jacobs, speaking exclusively on GIVEMESPORT’s YouTube channel, revealed that Pochettino would be open to a Tottenham return even in the event of relegation, although affording his wage could prove difficult at that point:

“The good news for Tottenham fans is that, I’m told, Pochettino is open to returning, and would not necessarily be put off even if Spurs got relegated to the Championship.

“But if they were a Championship club, they’ve obviously got to be able to still afford Maurizio Pochettino’s wage, which wouldn’t necessarily drop significantly.”

Pochettino initially took charge of Tottenham in 2014 and led the club to the 2019 Champions League final.

Spurs also finished second in the Premier League under the Argentine in 2016/17 – their highest top-flight position in over 50 years.

The north London club’s lowest finish under Pochettino was sixth in the 2014/15 season, his first year in charge.

Pochettino’s Career After Tottenham

Pochettino was relieved of his duties at Tottenham in November 2019 after winning just five of his first 17 games of the season.

The 'world-class' 54-year-old returned to management in January 2021, when he took charge of Paris Saint-Germain, winning the Ligue 1 title and the French Cup during his 18-month stint at Parc des Princes.

Pochettino oversaw an even shorter tenure at Chelsea, managing the club for just 51 games during the 2023/24 season and winning 27 times.

The Argentine took charge of the United States in September 2024 and has won 14 of his 22 matches so far, including a 2-1 defeat to Mexico in the Gold Cup final in July last year.

Should Tottenham Re-Hire Pochettino?

Amid Spurs’ interest in re-hiring Pochettino, we asked ChatGPT whether the Argentine would be a good fit for the club in the current circumstances:

Tottenham could sign their own version of Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze in the summer transfer window, as an update on their search for a sporting director has emerged.

Fabio Paratici was heavily involved in Spurs' recruitment last summer and in January, but the club confirmed that he would be departing in February to join Fiorentina.

Tottenham are now in the hunt for a new sporting director to arrive in the near future, as they'll be hoping to plan ahead for an important summer transfer window.

After such a disappointing season for the north London club, it looks set to be a crucial summer window, providing they stay in the Premier League.

Avoiding relegation is the number one aim as it stands, but they'll be hoping to have one eye on recruitment for the summer.

Tottenham Could Raid Championship With Freedman

According to a report from The Telegraph, Tottenham are now working on bringing in a new sporting director following Paratici's departure last month.

Former Crystal Palace man Dougie Freedman is believed to be a target for the role, despite only joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Diriyah last year.

If Freedman does arrive through the door, we could see a shift in Tottenham's recruitment strategy. During his time at Palace, Freedman had plenty of joy in buying from the Championship.

Freedman brought in Eze, Michael Olise, and Adam Wharton from England's second tier, selling the former two for a significant profit.

That could see Spurs sign their own Eze from the Championship in the summer, bringing in a young talent for a reasonable fee who goes on to flourish.

Eze, Olise, and Wharton all became some of the most sought-after players in Europe after just a short period at Selhurst Park, and there's no doubt Tottenham would be in a different league position if either of the three were at the club.

Tottenham Linked With Championship Star

One Championship star Tottenham have been linked with in recent months is Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney. The north London club were reportedly exploring a move in the January transfer window, so he could be one they look to target in the summer under Freedman.

There is a host of talent in the Championship season after season, and only certain clubs tend to take risks on them. Palace were certainly one of them under Freedman, and it will be interesting to see if he continues his recruitment strategy if he does land the role at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the coming months.

Tottenham Hotspur players are set for a double cut in pay this summer if they are relegated from the Premier League, GIVEMESPORT understands.

The Athletic's David Ornstein revealed on Monday that the Spurs stars would see their wages cut in half if the club are relegated to the Championship at the end of the season.

But that is not the only wage cut that would be coming their way if the drop to the second tier of English football is confirmed.

Spurs are perilously close to the bottom three in the Premier League after a second successive poor season of domestic football. Interim head coach Igor Tudor has failed to turn around the club's fortunes after replacing the sacked Thomas Frank.

Igor Tudor Has Not Changed Anything At Tottenham

They have failed to win either of his two games in charge, losing 4-1 to north London rivals Arsenal before being beaten 2-1 by Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Tottenham have not won a single game in the league in 2026, losing six and drawing four of their ten matches in the top flight since the turn of the year.

Their form leaves them just four points above the bottom three in the Premier League and knowing that by the time they play against Crystal Palace on Thursday night, they could be as little as one point above the drop zone, with West Ham and Nottingham Forest both playing before them on Wednesday night.

Tottenham Facing Up to Life In The Championship

Were the unthinkable to happen and Spurs drop out of England's top flight for the first time since 1977, the players will not only be in for a rude awakening when it comes to the EFL Championship and the volume of games and the stadiums they will have to travel to, but they will have to do so on a hugely reduced salary too.

GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs revealed in his newsletter - which you can sign up to receive here - that Spurs players would be getting another wage cut on top of the relegation clause cut - for failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.

He said: "In addition [to the relegation clause], there are reductions in wages if Tottenham don't get Champions League football. That's obviously not going to happen next season via them qualifying through the league, but in theory is still a possibility if they go all the way and win the Champions League this season."

Tottenham Face Major Overhaul In The Summer

As Ben points out, Spurs are still in this year's Champions League and could go on and win it to qualify for next season's competition, but with Atletico Madrid standing in their way in the last 16 and the form they are in, it would take something close to a miracle for that to happen.

A huge squad overhaul would be required if Tottenham were to be relegated from the Premier League, with a number of high-profile players unlikely to stick around on massively reduced wages as well as the prospect of playing Championship football next season.

Tottenham have been heavily linked with a move to appoint Mauricio Pochettino in the summer in what would be a fairytale return for the Argentine, and he could be exactly what they need to save one of their struggling stars.

Spurs will be in the market for a new manager at the end of the 2025/2026 season, with current boss Igor Tudor only appointed on a deal until the summer.

Tottenham opted to appoint a new manager on a short-term deal, giving them time to find a permanent and longer-term replacement heading into the 2026/2027 campaign.

A host of managers are already being linked with the soon-to-be vacant role, and one name that keeps popping up is Tottenham's former boss Pochettino, who is a key target for the club according to GMS sources, but currently with the USA national team heading into the World Cup.

Tottenham Star Struggling Since Signing

One player who is particularly struggling at the moment is midfielder Conor Gallagher. The England international signed for Spurs during the January transfer window, but he's failed to make the impact expected of him.

Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor suggested that Gallagher is a 'shadow of his former self' since joining the capital club, while he's also been widely criticised by other pundits and Spurs supporters.

The Englishman was labelled as 'woeful' and given a 3/10 rating by Football London correspondent Alasdair Gold after his latest display at Fulham.

It's safe to say it's not worked out for Gallagher at Spurs so far, but it wasn't an easy club to come into and make an impact.

The north London outfit are struggling with Gallagher, but they were also struggling before his arrival, and he's certainly not the only one to blame for their poor form this season.

Spurs needed a midfielder in January, but so far, Gallagher hasn't proven to be the answer.

Pochettino Can Fix Gallagher

One man who could help fix Gallagher is Pochettino. The former Spurs boss implements a high-energy, heavy pressing system, something which would suit Gallagher's style of play.

The former Chelsea midfielder is known for his work rate in midfield, and Pochettino will know him well from during their time spent at Stamford Bridge together.

When at Chelsea, Pochettino even said Gallagher was 'priceless' to his team, praising his commitment.

"He is a player with a great commitment to the team. He is always trying to compensate in every situation, in offensive and defensive situations. It's priceless to have a player like him. He is in the starting XI nearly every game and one of the captains. For me, he is the type of player that the club need to have."

Pochettino even said he's 'one of the captains', something he will have had a say in, so there's no doubt the Argentine could be the one to help save Gallagher.