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Tottenham’s new assistant coach, Justin Cochrane, spoke about Ange Postecoglou’s use of inverted full-backs a few months ago, explaining the advantages and disadvantages that come from the approach.

Cochrane, Frank’s trusted associate at Brentford, has followed the Dane to Tottenham Hotspur as the Lilywhites embark on a new era.

According to reports, Cochrane was in line to replace Frank as Brentford’s head coach had he remained with the Bees, with the West London club alleged to have fought hard to keep him.

Interestingly, just a few months ago, the 43-year-old had analysed the advantages and shortcomings of one of the quirks in Postecolgou’s system.

Justin Cochrane analyses Ange Postecoglou’s use of inverted full-backs

Cochrane had spoken about Tottenham’s use of inverted full-backs in the round of 16 second-leg win against AZ Alkmaar, with the interview being published in the Europa League final matchday programme.

The English coach pointed out that while it helps Spurs create overloads in midfield, it also means that the full-backs have a difficult time recovering when there is a turnover in possession.

He said about Tottenham’s use of Pedro Porro and Djed Spence in that fixture against Alkmaar: “The full-backs are often narrow, which creates more passing options and makes the opposition close the inside, opening up passing lanes for the wide players to go one-on-one. The narrow full-backs also create central overloads.

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“Once the ball goes wide, there is often a run into the half-space from an inverted fullback or the high No8 if the full-back is lower. The full-back who goes inside must be technically good and able to operate in tight areas. They need to be offensive. The problem they face is the distance of their recovery if the ball has been lost.

“A full-back must have the ability to receive and play in tight spaces between lines – to play like a midfielder – a key attribute for playing as an inverted full-back. The timing of runs forward into the half-space is also important, while recovery runs are too. A player has to get back into position if the ball is turned over. We saw Spurs’ full-backs doing all three of these.”

Cochrane says inverting full-backs also caused Tottenham issue

The new Spurs assistant coach pointed out that when full-backs play narrowly, it also provides a problem for Tottenham when building out from the back.

Cochrane pointed out that it limits the passing options that the Spurs centre-backs have when they are on the ball.

When asked how inverted full-backs can affect the other players around them, the 43-year-old said: “The centre-backs no longer have an easy pass to a full-back and can sometimes pass straight to a winger. The other midfielders fill the spaces, but there is not a clear pattern.

Thomas Frank is now set to begin work as the Tottenham head coach in what will be a new era at Spurs, and the Dane has identified three areas where Spurs need to strengthen this summer, depending on other transfer developments.

After weeks of heavy speculation, Tottenham confirmed on Thursday that Frank has signed a three-year contract to be the club’s next head coach.

The Dane has his work cut out at Hotspur Way this summer as he looks to undertake a mini rebuild and get the Lilywhites back up the Premier League table.

Some sources have said over recent days that Frank has already spoken to the Tottenham hierarchy about transfer targets, and a new report has now shed light on the positions where the Lilywhites may prioritise strengthening.

Tottenham may prioritise three positions under Thomas Frank

The Times have now claimed that Spurs have already identified three positions that they want to strengthen ahead of Frank’s first season in charge.

The outlet says that the Lilywhites are currently looking for a centre-back, a defensive midfielder, and a winger. However, it is pointed out that any moves would likely depend on which players leave Hotspur Way this summer.

Cristian Romero’s future at Tottenham is in doubt, while there have also been suggestions that Spurs are ready to listen to offers for Yves Bissouma, who is now in the final year of his deal.

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Frank will have to sort out the futures of three Spurs players

The Times also say that one of Frank’s first orders of business would be to have talks with Romero and Heung-min Son about their futures.

The Dane will also have to quickly decide on whether to sign Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich on a permanent basis.

Cristian Romero’s farewell message to Ange Postecoglou has sparked debate amongst Tottenham supporters, with some seeing it as a subtle dig at Daniel Levy and others questioning the Argentine’s future at the club.

Tottenham Hotspur announced the appointment of new head coach Thomas Frank on 12 June, less than a week after sacking Ange Postecoglou.

The Danish manager arrives in north London with a reputation for overachieving on a limited budget, owing to the commendable work he carried out at Brentford, and he is now set to take charge of Spurs for the next three seasons, having signed a three-year deal.

Yet, Tottenham’s managerial announcement was not the only thing that caught the eye on that day, as vice-captain Cristian Romero took to social media to share a message regarding the departure of Postecoglou, just hours after Thomas Frank’s arrival was confirmed.

The Tottenham centre-back tweeted: “Ange, thank you for these two incredible seasons. You’re a fantastic coach, but above all, a great person who deserves the best.

“From day one you paved the way despite the many obstacles that always existed and always will exist. Beyond everything, we won a trophy and went down in the history of this beautiful club, which is the only thing that matters.

“I wish you the best because you deserve the best, and thank you for everything.”

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Tottenham fans react to Cristian Romero cryptic Postecoglou tribute

Romero’s message has drawn significant attention across social media, as his reference to the obstacles that “always existed and always will exist” left many Tottenham fans speculating about the real intent behind the post.

Of course, many Tottenham supporters interpreted the wording as a veiled swipe at chairman Daniel Levy, while others believe it was a signal of Romero’s desire to leave Spurs.

There is a growing feeling that the Argentine’s loyalty lies elsewhere, and his conduct in recent months has only added to the uncertainty surrounding his future.

One Tottenham supporter claimed: “People trying to claim it is some sort of dig at Levy or that he loves Ange so much he is forcing a move after the sacking make me laugh. He is just being tactical. He wants to go to Spain and he wants to force it without looking like the bad guy.”

Another fan was more direct: “The writing is on the wall with this guy. Tottenham need to offload early for as big a fee as possible and reinvest. Great player on his day but there is just not enough of them, not reliable. Best to cash in now and move on. Guehi could be an option.”

A similar sentiment was echoed elsewhere: “Sell him ASAP. Get best deal from Madrid and good riddance. Bloke turns it on in a final and that is it. Goes missing most games, and that is when he can be bothered to turn up. Give me Danso any day. Proper defender with a proper attitude.”

Another Tottenham supporter highlighted Romero’s previous remarks about his family’s struggles to settle in London, suggesting his mind is already made up: “He would leave under any circumstances after that interview about his family and how hard it is for them to live in London. He is a top player but when his heart is somewhere else he should go, he is replaceable.”

And finally, one Tottenham fan summed up the mood of indifference some now feel towards the centre-back: “Could not care less. Go if he does not want to play for the badge.”

Spurs set to open contract talks with Cristian Romero

Undoubtedly, Romero remains a high-level defender when at his best, and even Alexis Mac Allister recently referred to Cristian Romero as the best centre-back in the world for several years.

However, as several fans have already pointed out, no individual is bigger than the club. If a Tottenham player sees his future elsewhere and is no longer committed to the cause, then a parting of ways is often best for all parties.

Reports continue to link Tottenham with a desire to retain Romero’s services, with suggestions that new contract talks are expected to commence in the coming weeks.

Whether or not he signs remains to be seen, but this summer could be pivotal in determining his long-term future at Tottenham Hotspur.

Following the appointment of their 16th manager in the last 24 years, we have now sat down to analyse what Thomas Frank’s first five tasks at Tottenham could include.

Thomas Frank is set to begin his job as head coach of Tottenham Hotspur, following his appointment less than a week after Ange Postecoglou’s sacking.

The Danish manager has signed a three-year deal that is expected to keep him at Hotspur Way until the summer of 2028.

A few of Thomas Frank’s trusted backroom staff have also joined him in his switch to Tottenham, as the new manager aims to improve the club’s league fortunes after a dismal 17th-place finish last term under Ange Postecoglou.

But before Tottenham take to the pitch for their opening fixture of the 2025/26 season, the new Spurs manager has a handful of issues to address, and we have highlighted five that stand out.

Thomas Frank must convince Cristian Romero to stay at Tottenham

One of Thomas Frank’s first tasks will be to convince Cristian Romero to remain at Tottenham Hotspur, with the Argentine’s future uncertain following reported interest from Spain.

Tottenham are said to be keen on keeping Romero at the club, with fresh contract talks expected to begin in the coming weeks.

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However, Romero’s cryptic message hours after Frank’s appointment, which many viewed as a dig at the club, suggests that Frank may have his work cut out.

A frank discussion over Romero’s intentions will be essential before any decisions can be made about the 27-year-old defender.

Heung-min Son’s future must be clarified by Thomas Frank

Cristian Romero is not the only senior figure whose future is unclear, with club captain Heung-min Son also linked with a potential move to Saudi Arabia.

Reports have claimed Tottenham are open to selling Son forward this summer, as they look to cash in before his contract expires at the end of next season. That said, Spurs are not expected to push Son out, with the forward likely to decide his fate.

Last season’s 11 goals and 11 assists were underwhelming by his standards, and with his 33rd birthday approaching in July, Frank must quickly initiate talks to find the best solution for both sides.

Thomas Frank must rebuild Tottenham squad morale after Ange Postecoglou’s departure

Tottenham players were quick to pay tribute to Ange Postecoglou after his sacking, with many thanking him for his support and guidance, especially after he delivered silverware.

Given how several senior players, including Heung-min Son, who described Postecoglou as a Tottenham legend, paid their tribute, it is evident that the squad held the Australian in high regard.

Still, these Spurs players must now move forward, as some within the Tottenham squad are said to have been upset by the decision to part ways with the Australian, with speculation growing that certain players may be considering their futures.

Thomas Frank’s well-known player-first approach, where he likens his treatment of players to parenting, could prove crucial in winning over a group that was loyal to his predecessor.

Frank must align transfer plans with Daniel Levy and Johan Lange

With the summer window already open, Thomas Frank’s immediate focus will naturally turn to the transfer market and how best to strengthen this Tottenham side.

It is understood that Tottenham are looking to reinforce their defence, midfield and attack, with some of their early targets already being approached by rival clubs. Frank must now sit down with Daniel Levy, Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici to align on priorities.

While Frank may not hold the final say on transfers, he is expected to be involved in the recruitment process. Reports have already linked Tottenham with a move for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, a player Frank knows well, and an opening bid is believed to have gone in.

Tottenham vs PSG Super Cup clash presents first big test for Thomas Frank

Winning over the players and fans will be important, and an early opportunity to do so comes in the form of a major final.

Tottenham will face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup in Udine, Italy, marking Frank’s first competitive fixture in charge.

The Danish manager, who is yet to lift a major trophy in his career, will be eyeing this as the perfect stage to make an instant impact.

With belief already building among the Tottenham support, preparation for this clash will be high on his agenda, and a strong performance could set the tone for the season ahead.

Harry Redknapp has delivered a scathing verdict on Tottenham Hotspur players after several of them publicly praised Ange Postecoglou following his sacking, despite playing a part in the club’s worst-ever Premier League season.

Indeed, the past few weeks have been eventful for Tottenham Hotspur, who have been undergoing a series of changes, including the sacking of Ange Postecoglou, weeks after he won the club their first ever piece of silverware since 2008.

Of course, Postecoglou’s time as Spurs manager was not just about winning silverware, as the Australian manager led Tottenham to their worst ever Premier League campaign, with Spurs finishing the season fourth from bottom, after losing 22 games.

Undoubtedly, their Europa League triumph covered a lot of cracks, as Tottenham fans had something to cheer following this side’s abysmal display in the English top flight.

Harry Redknapp slams Tottenham players for hypocritical Ange Postecoglou tributes

Since the announcement of Postecoglou’s sacking, several Tottenham Hotspur players have all come out to thank Ange for believing in them and delivering a piece of silverware.

The latest player to come out and pay tribute to Postecoglou was Cristian Romero, whose message contained a subtle dig at club chairman Daniel Levy, with the player highlighting that during Ange’s term, there were obstacles that existed and will always exist at the club.

Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who is one of 15 managers to have been sacked by Daniel Levy, has now come out to take a swipe at the players, stating that their tribute is the same old message that we are used to seeing, and if they cared, they should have put in the work.

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Redknapp said the following after Tottenham’s sacking of Ange Postecoglou: “Well, they all are, that is football, that is what footballers do. Oh, we loved the previous manager, well, why did you not try a bit harder, you may not have finished fourth from bottom. You know that is the same old message.

“You know the king is dead, long live the king. You know, I mean, that is football. They all come out, the manager was great, the new manager comes, he will be great, and when he goes, yeah, sorry to see him go. That is football.”

Thomas Frank will be hoping that particular prediction doesn’t come true any time soon at Tottenham.

Spurs players failed Postecoglou in the Premier League

Of course, Redknapp is right, as in the majority of the messages sent by the players following Postecoglou’s departure, many of them seem to ignore the fact that they just did not do enough in the Premier League to give the Australian a chance of remaining in the dugout.

Many of them failed to take accountability, because as the club stated, Postecoglou was sacked because of the poor domestic campaign that Tottenham had, with a record of 78 points from the last 66 league games being highlighted by the club’s top brass.

No matter the silverware won, a club of Spurs’ stature should not be wallowing in the bottom four of the League. For the wages these Tottenham players collect, being good in 15 Europa League games, while not bothering to show up in the Premier League, is very poor.

Paul Robinson has now offered a reason why Tottenham might not sell Heung-min Son to a Saudi Pro League club this summer and may instead offer their captain a contract extension.

Tottenham have sacked their Europa League-winning head coach and they may also soon part ways with their captain, who proudly hoisted the trophy aloft in Bilbao.

Son has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, with reports indicating that the Lilywhites may cash in on the 32-year-old if a big-money offer arrives from the Middle East.

The South Korean’s recent comments have added further fuel to the speculation, with Son refusing to rule out a Tottenham exit this summer.

Paul Robinson does not think Tottenham will benefit from Heung-min Son’s sale

While getting a big fee for a player who will turn 33 next month would be tempting for Tottenham Hotspur, Paul Robinson pointed out that Saudi clubs are not as willing to throw huge money at older superstars as they once were.

The former Spurs number one suggested that if the Lilywhites are only able to get a modest transfer fee for their captain, they will get more value from keeping him around in the squad as they embark on a new era.

When asked about the speculation over Son’s future, Robinson told Football Insider: “I think with Tottenham and the Saudi Pro League, I’m not so sure they’d necessarily get the offer that they would want with Son coming into the last year of his contract.

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“The Saudi Pro League, the recruitment has been excellent in the last 12 months, and they’re looking at younger players a lot. “The South American market is utilised, and it’s not a retirement home for ex-Premier League stars who are trying to cash in.

“That league’s getting better, it’s getting stronger. So, for Tottenham to cash in on Son, it would be unwise. You look at the value that he brings to the squad, you look at the value that he has in the dressing room, and his reputation among the players, his relationship with the supporters.

“Another big thing with him is the commercial value as well, he’s got his own individual commercial value as an international player, he’s huge to Tottenham and the support that they’ve got there.

“I think for what they would get for him, with 12 months left on his contract, to keep somebody like him around in a Champions League campaign, while trying to compete domestically as well, whilst also trying to restructure a squad to have some kind of stability in there who knows the club and the relationship that they’ve got.

“Listen, there’s always a big enough fee that will turn Tottenham’s head. But I think when you’ve got to weigh up the commercial value and what he brings for the next 12 months to the squad, I wouldn’t be surprised if he extends for another year.”

Son is prepared to work with Thomas Frank

Thomas Frank’s arrival at Tottenham is now confirmed and he will be accompanied to Spurs by three members of his staff at Brentford.

It was reported by TBR Football this week that Son is open to working with Frank at Tottenham as the forward believes that he still has a lot to offer the Lilywhites.

The outlet explained that the South Korean is also open to an exit, with a decision expected on his future once he has met with the Danish coach.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly set their sights on a Nottingham Forest wide-man, but they face intense competition for the player, including from their North London rivals, Arsenal.

With question marks remaining over the future of Heung-min Son, Tottenham could enter the market for a top-class wide forward this summer.

Over recent weeks, we have heard that Spurs are plotting a move for Bournemouth winger Antonie Semenyo, who they view as a potential heir to Son.

A fresh report has revealed that a prolific Nottingham Forest forward, who registered 17 goal contributions in the 2024-25 season, has also emerged as a target for the Lilywhites.

Tottenham want Anthony Elanga but could face intense competition

TBR Football have now revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are one of the clubs who have been watching Anthony Elanga closely this season, but they are far from the only ones.

Arsenal have also taken a keen interest in the Forest man as they aim to bolster their forward line this summer, while Chelsea and Aston Villa also have their eye on the 23-year-old.

The report adds that Newcastle United are also ‘confirmed admirers’ of Elanga, with the Magpies failing with a move for the winger last summer.

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It is revealed that while the Sweden international is happy at the City Ground, he is very much aware of the growing interest in his services.

How much would Tottenham have to pay to sign Elanga?

TBR Football explains that Forest are of the opinion that Elanga is one of the best players in his position across the Premier League.

They are thus expected to demand a fee in excess of the deals that Matheus Cunha and potentially Bryan Mbeumo will go for this summer.

It is alleged that Nuno Espirito Santo’s men will want more than £60m for the former Man United man if any side were to make a concrete approach for the player.

Tottenham Hotspur fans will be very excited with what one senior coach has said about Luka Vuskovic ahead of the defender’s linkup with the Spurs squad for the first time this summer.

The young centre-back would have been waiting for the opportunity to showcase his quality at Hotspur Way from the time he signed for the Lilywhites two years ago, and having turned 18, he will now finally get the chance to do so this summer.

The Croat came on leaps and bounds during his loan spell at Westerlo last season, with reports indicating that the Spurs decision-makers have been very impressed with Vuskovic’s development.

Vuskovic made his senior debut for Croatia earlier this week, which is further evidence of just how highly he is thought of in his home country.

Tottenham will love what Croatia coach said about Luka Vuskovic

HNK Gorica manager Mario Carevic, who has watched the Tottenham Hotspur defender from a young age, has now revealed that Luka Vuskovic was always cut from a different cloth from the rest.

He insisted that Vuskovic is blessed with leadership qualities that cannot be taught, and revealed that the youngster possesses a skillset that one rarely sees in centre-halves.

Carevic told Sportske Novosti (as relayed by Sport Witness): “I’ve have known Luka practically since birth and he has a specific character. He has great leadership qualities, he was a leader in the Hajduk juniors and is three years younger than all his teammates. You have to have the courage to impose yourself as a leader.

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“As for his playing qualities, he has incredible technique, excellent with both feet, and reacts in a completely different way than other defenders in some situations where he doesn’t take risks.

“You can see his total security and control of all those situations. He also has a good feeling for the goal. He is the future of Croatian football, he is a miracle.

“I talked to a lot of scouts from big clubs when he was leaving Hajduk. They said that this leadership trait cannot be learned, you have to be born with it. As a coach, I always like to have a centre-back who leads, who talks a lot, who is assertive, and he, regardless of his age, is already doing that in senior football.”

Mario Carevic reveals big clubs want to sign Vuskovic this summer

It was reported a week ago that Luka Vuskovic is attracting loan interest from the Bundesliga this summer as Tottenham contemplate his next move.

Carevic has now shared that some big clubs from Belgium are also keen on having the centre-back on board for the 2025-26 season in light of how he performed at Westerlo.

He added: “I know that all the big clubs from Belgium want him, Club Brugge wanted him already halfway through the season. The only question is what Tottenham will decide, whether it is good for him to change leagues or not.”

Alfie Whiteman has spoken about the ten years he spent at Tottenham Hotspur as a player without playing a single Premier League game, and his experience of working with some of the big-name stars who have been at the club.

It is often joked that the role of a reserve goalkeeper is the best career out there, with the privilege of being paid handsomely to train and travel the world, without needing to cope with the pressure of being on the pitch during matchday.

Whiteman is perhaps the best illustration of that, with the boyhood Spurs fan spending the last eight years at Tottenham, but failing to make a single appearance for the club.

Whiteman exited Spurs along with three other first-team stars two weeks ago, and he has now shed light on his experience with the Lilywhites.

Alfie Whiteman speaks about demanding Tottenham schedule

The 26-year-old has now pointed out that while his dream was always to get on the pitch, backup goalkeepers work just as hard as everyone else in training.

The Tottenham academy graduate has trained under the likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Ange Postecoglou, and he made it clear that the backup players have a key role to play in the squad.

Whiteman told The Times: “Some people think it’s just training and then going home at 1 pm and watching movies, but it’s prepping for games tactically, intense training for the subs the day after while the starters are on recovery, it’s very hard work every day.

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“The games are what people see, but the day-to-day you feel part of it. It might not be in my appearances column on Wikipedia, but I don’t think you get to a final if you’re not one big team working to achieve something. I feel extremely lucky, but there is always that conflict because the dream is to be out there.”

Whiteman admits he learned a lot from the world-class goalkeepers at Spurs

Whiteman had the privilege of working with some of the best goalkeepers in the modern era throughout his stay at Hotspur Way.

He confessed that he learned a lot from watching the likes of Hugo Lloris go about their work and used the opportunity to pick the brains of many of his teammates.

Whiteman added: “I was training with Hugo and he won the World Cup [with France in 2018]. I watched how he evaluated his performances and asked him lots of questions and got advice.

“I had a lot of interesting conversations with Joe Hart too. When he came to Spurs, he’d had a little bit of a turbulent time and seeing the human side, because I saw them almost as God-tier people who nothing could faze, made it seem a bit more, not normal, but attainable.

“You just have to believe in yourself as they do. When I look back at the goalkeepers I’ve been able to work closely with and learn from — Michel Vorm is someone I stay in contact with, Fraser Forster in the last couple of years — it has huge benefits.”

Tottenham Hotspur are now contenders to land Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest this summer after a big development regarding the midfielder’s future.

According to various reports, Tottenham are expected to sign reinforcements to their midfield this summer, with Yves Bissouma potentially on his way out of the club.

It was reported a few months ago that Gibbs-White was firmly on Tottenham’s radar, with Forest willing to cash in on him for €60m (£50.6m).

However, it subsequently emerged that Man City had emerged as the front-runner to land Gibbs-White, and the speculation linking the England international with a move to Spurs has since died down.

Tottenham handed a lifeline in Morgan Gibbs-White pursuit

However, The Daily Mail have some good news for Tottenham Hotspur, revealing that Man City, who previously showed ‘strong interest’ in the Forest star, are no longer as keen on the 25-year-old.

It is revealed that the interest of Pep Guardiola’s men in the player has cooled after the Midlands club demanded £70m for his services.

The report says that Gibbs-White now faces a decision on whether to sign a new deal at the City Ground or hold out for a Champions League club to approach.

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The outlet adds that in that respect, Tottenham’s interest in the player is ‘worth keeping an eye on’ this summer.

Can Spurs convince Gibbs-White to make a move to N17?

Even with the offer of Champions League football, it may be a challenge for Spurs to be able to attract the Forest star.

The midfielder would take some convincing to leave a side which finished seventh in the table for a side which finished 17th, a full 27 points below Forest.