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Ledley King has revealed how his temporary move from being club ambassador to a first-team coach came about at Tottenham a few years ago and has opened up on the emotions he went through during the 2020-21 season.

Ledley King had been a club ambassador for Tottenham Hotspur for a long time after hanging up his boots, but Jose Mourinho decided to add the Spurs legend to his coaching staff in the summer of 2020.

However, the Spurs legend’s foray into coaching was not to last long. Although he stayed on until the end of the season after Mourinho’s departure, he decided to return to his old role as a club ambassador at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

King has previously admitted that he loved working with Mourinho, and he has now explained how the former Tottenham boss convinced him to join his staff.

Ledley King reveals Jose Mourinho was keen for him to join his Tottenham staff

The 44-year-old said that he did not have any particular ambition to get into coaching, but it was Mourinho who was extremely keen to have him on the training ground.

The former Spurs centre-back confessed that he was not going to say no to one of the best managers in modern football when he asked him to join his staff.

King told OLGB: “So for me, I’ve kind of enjoyed popping in and out (of coaching). Obviously, I had a spell with Jose Mourinho and the way that came about was I just bumped into him in the corridors at Tottenham and he asked me what I was doing.

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“I explained to him I’m an ambassador and he said he wanted me on the training pitch. I said I’m not a coach and he said it doesn’t matter, he wanted me on the training pitch.

“You can’t turn Jose down. So initially I just started going in, watching a bit of training and eventually speaking to some players and eventually kind of watching video, breaking it down with them. This was just before COVID happened, so the season stopped.

“They had a break and then when they resumed and finished off the season, I kind of stayed away and they finished the season in the summer. I got a call from Jose saying he wants me to be part of his staff full-time for next season, so I couldn’t turn that down and yeah, I loved it. It was enjoyable.”

King admits he thought Spurs were going to win the Premier League

Tottenham started the 2020-21 campaign superbly and were sitting at the top of the table around December, and King admitted that he genuinely believed that the Lilywhites were going to win the league that campaign.

However, things would come crashing down over the next few months for the North Londoners, with Mourinho infamously being sacked just days ahead of Tottenham’s Carabao Cup final against Man City in April of 2021.

Speaking about his one season as a coach, King elaborated: “It took me back to my playing days and how it takes over your life. It really is a tough, tough, long season. The strange thing was that we started off the season unbelievably.

“We were playing in front of no fans, which was a shame. But I remember beating Arsenal 2-0 at home, Man City 2-0 at home, we went to Old Trafford and won 6-1.

“I thought we were going to win the league in December. I was actually starting to believe that we were going to win the league, but unfortunately, it kind of fell away and didn’t happen.

“But I enjoyed learning from Jose. I always just said to myself, if I ever go back into management or coaching, I’ve learned from one of the best. So I’ve got a good grounding to kind of fall back on and some great experiences to take me forward.

“So yeah, I did enjoy it. But again, you have to be so dedicated to it and I enjoy my role as an ambassador and that gives me a bit more flexibility at this moment. So I never say never, but at the moment I’m enjoying that.”

Kyle Walker has once again shown that he retains a soft spot for Tottenham Hotspur by revealing what he thinks of Sol Campbell.

Former Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate and captain, Sol Campbell, has never been forgiven by Spurs fans for deciding to run his contract down and sign for Arsenal in 2001.

Sol Campbell has previously accused Tottenham fans of treating him unfairly, but it is safe to say that the supporters are not going to change their behaviour, with his move across the North London divide being viewed as the ultimate act of treachery.

Walker clearly does not rate Sol Campbell highly

Walker is certainly aware of the intense nature of the rivalry between Spurs and Arsenal, having played in several high-profile North London derbies during his seven-and-a-half-year spell with the Lilywhites.

The right-back famously even scored a screamer to help Tottenham emerge 2-1 winners over the old enemy at White Hart Lane in 2013.

The 35-year-old, who will be playing under his former Spurs teammate, Scott Parker, at Burnley, this season, has now expressed his dislike for Sol Campbell by immediately putting him at the bottom while doing a blind ranking of legendary English defenders.

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Kyle Walker reveals what he would give up to have won a trophy with Tottenham

Speaking after Tottenham’s Europa League win last month, Kyle Walker said he would trade one of his league titles with Man City for a trophy with Spurs.

While that did not make him very popular with Man City fans, it showed just how much the Lilywhites mean to the right-back, even though he won so much at the Etihad Stadium.

The way Walker left Tottenham in 2017 left fans with a bad taste in their mouth, but it does seem like the Spurs faithful have warmed to the England international over the last few years.

It has been leaked via the social media post of one Tottenham player that Thomas Frank and his coaching staff are testing the Spurs squad for one important attribute in training today.

Frank now has almost a full Tottenham squad to work with at Hotspur Way after the majority of the internationals returned to training last week.

The Dane and his new-look coaching staff have their work cut out to get their tactical ideas across to the side and help the squad understand their principles of play.

Stats suggest that Thomas Frank could fix Tottenham’s set-piece shortcomings, with his Brentford side being one of the best across the Premier League when it comes to both scoring from and defending set-pieces over recent years.

Thomas Frank runs an interesting Tottenham long-throw audition

Set-pieces do not just mean corners and indirect free-kicks, with throw-ins also becoming an area where clubs are starting to get specialised coaching.

A few sides across the Premier League use a long throw as a weapon, and we might get to see Frank’s Tottenham do the same next season.

Destiny Udogie’s Snapchat story from the training ground showed Monday’s training schedule on a whiteboard, which had the words ‘long-throw audition’ written.

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That means that the coaching staff would have tested the Spurs squad to see who has the longest and menacing throw.

We will find out soon who the Spurs long-throw specialist is

It would be ideal for one of the full-backs to finish near the top in the test, as they are the ones usually tasked with throw-ins for the sake of easy tactical organisation.

Frank would want the centre-backs and the strikers inside the box, and the test might just exclude them. We will find out very soon who is selected as the club’s designated long-throw specialist.

While Nottingham Forest are trying their best to halt Morgan Gibbs-White’s switch to Tottenham, the midfielder has made it clear to the club’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, that he wants to complete a move to N17.

Tottenham activated Morgan Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause last week and the midfielder was due for a medical at Hotspur Way last Friday, but the deal has been held up.

This is because Nottingham Forest have officially filed a legal complaint against Spurs for approaching the midfielder without their permission.

The Midlands club are questioning how Tottenham Hotspur found out about the 25-year-old’s release clause when they had not authorised them to speak to the player or his agent.

Morgan Gibbs-White’s Tottenham message has angered Evangelos Marinakis

Gibbs-White has begun pre-season training with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side but a new report has suggested that the player has made it clear that he wants to leave the City Ground.

This update comes from TBR Football, who say that despite reporting to training, the England international has informed Marinakis that he wants to move to Spurs.

The attacking midfielder is said to be keen on playing under new Spurs boss Thomas Frank and to get a taste of Champions League football.

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That is thought to be part of the reason Marinakis is angry, as he is annoyed that the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich didn’t make a move for Gibbs-White.

However, the outlet confirms that Tottenham remain confident that a deal will be done as they think that there is nothing Forest can do to stop the transfer when the release clause has been activated and the player wants the move.

Are Nottingham Forest merely trying to send a message to their fans?

It was reported by The Athletic over the weekend that Forest do not expect their legal challenge to stop Gibbs-White’s move to Spurs.

They are aware that at best, it may just delay the move, but they want to send a message that they will now allow their best player to leave the club without a fight.

Their decision makes sense in light of the fact that Forest fans were raging when it emerged that Morgan Gibbs-White was on his way to Tottenham.

Marinakis may simply be attempting to subdue the fan anger by showing them that he did all he could to stop the transfer.

Ashley Young has questioned why Nottingham Forest inserted a release clause in Morgan Gibbs-White’s contract in the first place if they did not want the midfielder’s agent to reveal it to Tottenham.

Nottingham Forest have launched a legal challenge against Tottenham after it emerged that Spurs had activated Gibbs-White’s £60million release clause.

While various sources indicate that Tottenham still expect to complete the signing of Gibbs-White, the Midlands club’s actions have halted the deal for the time being, complicating matters for Daniel Levy and the North Londoners.

As we await to find out what happens with this deal, Gibbs-White has started pre-season training with Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.

Ashley Young questions why Nottingham Forest inserted a release clause

According to reports, Forest are questioning how Tottenham got to know of Gibbs-White’s confidential release clause when they did not give Thomas Frank’s side permission to speak to the midfielder.

However, Ashley Young has now questioned the idea of keeping a release clause confidential, insisting that agents and players are always going to let other parties know of such clauses.

When asked about Forest legally challenging Spurs regarding the clause, the former Aston Villa and Man United man told Sky Sports News: “You think to yourself about Nottingham Forest – they’ve put that release clause in there.

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“Is it written in the contract that they say: ‘Nobody’s to know’? Well, the player knows that, his agent knows that… surely you’re gonna let people know about it. Or, if you don’t want him to leave, then don’t put it in there.

“Obviously, Tottenham have found out about the release clause, and like you say, Gibbs-White has probably gone down to Tottenham Hotspur and been told that they’ve activated his release clause. So, he’s gonna be thinking: ‘Right, that’s it. I’m going now.’

“And, obviously, something’s happened where Nottingham Forest are not happy about it. But, like I said, if they weren’t that happy about it, they wouldn’t have put the release clause in there.”

Tottenham told they would have to pay more than £60m for Morgan Gibbs-White

According to one super agent, Tottenham may have to pay more than £60m to get Gibbs-White after Nottingham Forest’s legal challenge.

However, he also asserted that it would be very difficult for the Midlands club to prove that Spurs spoke directly to the attacking midfielder.

There may not be much that Nottingham Forest can do to stop Morgan Gibbs-White from becoming a Tottenham player, but the City Ground hierarchy will make the North London club work hard to get their hands on the player.

Nottingham Forest have legally challenged Gibbs-White’s move to Tottenham after the North London club activated the midfielder’s £60m release clause last week.

According to reports, Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis, is furious that Gibbs-White’s release clause was leaked, and is not pleased with the way the North London club did their business.

While reports continue to indicate that Spurs remain confident of landing Gibbs-White, it appears clear that Marinakis is expected to make Daniel Levy work to get the deal over the line.

Tottenham will not find it easy to push through Morgan Gibbs-White deal

The Sun have now explained that the Midlands outfit are arguing that Tottenham Hotspur should not have known about the midfielder’s release clause since they never gave the North London side permission to speak to the 25-year-old.

Marinakis is demanding to know how Levy was made aware of the £60m purchase clause in Gibbs-White’s contract.

The outlet adds that while the former Wolves man is expected to eventually complete a move to Tottenham, Forest will not make it easy for Spurs to finalise the transfer.

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Thomas Frank is extremely keen on having Gibbs-White on board

The Sun also point out that new Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank is extremely keen on bringing a dynamic number ten to Hotspur Way and sees Gibbs-White as a perfect fit for his side.

In fact, it is alleged that the Dane even wanted to take the England international to the Gtech Community Stadium when was in charge of Brentford.

Given that Frank sees the midfielder as a key signing, one would not expect Tottenham to be put off from the deal due to Forest’s legal challenge and do what is needed to get it over the line.

Mohammed Kudus is already a popular figure among Tottenham fans, and his popularity will only grow when they hear what the attacking midfielder said during his medical at Hotspur Way last week.

Mohammed Kudus became Tottenham’s third signing of the Thomas Frank era, following Mathys Tel and Kota Takai, with the Lilywhites paying £55m to land him from West Ham.

The fact that West Ham fans were raging when Kudus joined Tottenham has already made the Ghanaian a popular figure among the Spurs faithful.

In his first interview as a Tottenham player, Kudus said that the size and history of Spurs is what attracted him to the club, which has already made him villain number one for Hammers supporters and endeared him to Tottenham fans.

Mohammed Kudus jokes that Tottenham are in his heart

Tottenham have now released a video of the winger’s first day at Hotspur Way, which involved the new signing being shown around the training ground and performing his media commitments ahead of the announcement of his signing.

In the video, Kudus is also seen having his medical examinations ahead of the transfer and there is a very interesting moment which Spurs fans will be thrilled with.

While the doctor is examining the 25-year-old’s heart, the winger joked: “You’ll find Spurs there.” The Spurs doctor replied: “I can hear the cockerel.”

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Kudus put pressure on West Ham to push through Spurs move

Another thing that will delight Spurs fans is that Mohammed Kudus even took extreme measures to force through a move to Tottenham.

The winger allegedly reported late for training twice at the East London club last week and even put in a transfer request after hearing of the Lilywhites’ interest.

A super agent has revealed why Tottenham Hotspur might have to pay more than Morgan Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause to actually push a deal with Nottingham Forest through.

Tottenham activated Morgan Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause last week, but the deal has been held up as Nottingham Forest have officially filed a legal complaint against Spurs for approaching the midfielder without their permission.

The main bone of contention has to do with the confidential nature of the release clause, with Forest not happy that the information regarding Gibbs-White’s clause was leaked to Spurs.

Gibbs-White has reported for pre-season with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side as Tottenham look to navigate the legal challenge and get the transfer over the line.

Tottenham may have to pay over £60m for Morgan Gibbs-White

Now, super-agent Sky Andrew, who has been involved in many big transfers over the years, has proposed one way Spurs can overcome this legal challenge and reach an understanding with Forest.

He claimed that it would be difficult for the Midlands club to prove that Tottenham directly approached Gibbs-White but suggested that the North London club may have to pay more than the £60m clause to land the 25-year-old.

Andrew said on talkSPORT about Forest’s legal challenge against Spurs: “Here’s the thing, guys, it’s very difficult to prove that a club went directly to a player without the permission of the club. We’re getting into all sorts of things here — phone records and everything.

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“If it goes to arbitration, where it must go within the football rules and regulations, then Forest will have to prove that the club went directly to the player or to the agent. Most clubs know that it is very difficult to prove.

“So, this is a case now of how much will the buying club pay for the player. It won’t be £60 million, it will probably have to be more.”

Spurs remain confident that they will sign Gibbs-White

Despite the steps that Forest have taken, various sources, including Fabrizio Romano, have said that Tottenham are confident the Morgan Gibbs-White deal will go through.

Meanwhile, Alasdair Gold has pointed out that there will be legal complications involved if any club now tries to hijack Spurs’ deal for Gibbs-White, given that the Lilywhites had an agreement in place before Forest cut off communications.

Nottingham Forest fans have been left divided after Morgan Gibbs-White made a return to training amid growing speculation linking him with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham Hotspur have shown genuine interest in signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White this summer.

The north London club are understood to have activated his release clause, as they look to tempt him to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with the lure of UEFA Champions League football.

Forest’s ownership has not taken kindly to Tottenham’s approach, which they believe has crossed legal boundaries. Meanwhile, Gibbs-White, who was part of England’s off-season duties, had been granted an extended break and was away from the club’s training ground.

Nottingham Forest left divided after Gibbs-White’s return to training

Gibbs-White has now returned to training, with Nottingham Forest’s official X account sharing images of him alongside several teammates on their first day back.

Some sections of the Forest fanbase had already expressed their discontent last week, following claims that Morgan Gibbs-White had a medical with Tottenham scheduled.

His return to training has not softened the mood, with fans still uncertain about his commitment to the club.

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One supporter commented, “Pathetic to put him in the photos, what are you doing?” while another defended the midfielder’s professionalism, saying, “Bad egg apparently, been nothing short of sensational on and off the pitch. Hopefully, he stays.”

Other fans remained sceptical. One post read, “Leave my football club👍,” while another offered a more balanced view: “At the end of the day, none of us know the circumstances regarding MGW. Fair play to the lad to turn up.”

One fan added, “What do you expect? Not turning up will result in a fine and loss of wages. Hoping the deal is done this week and the recruitment ramps up now.” Another insisted, “Either he signs a new contract to show his loyalties or get rid – No player is ever bigger than the club.”

Morgan Gibbs-White shows professionalism amid Tottenham transfer speculation

It has been reported that Nottingham Forest have formally filed a legal complaint against Tottenham Hotspur, following the activation of Morgan Gibbs-White’s release clause, which was supposedly confidential.

While Fabrizio Romano previously reported that Gibbs-White is open to joining Tottenham, it is notable that the midfielder has not tried to force an exit by refusing to report back for training.

Luis Enrique may be banned from the UEFA Super Cup clash against Tottenham and may not even be allowed to coach Paris Saint-Germain in the lead-up to the match after he was involved in a controversial moment after the Club World Cup final loss to Chelsea.

Thomas Frank’s first competitive game in charge as Tottenham’s head coach will be the Super Cup clash against PSG in Udine on August 13.

Spurs will take a lot more confidence into that game after witnessing how their London rivals demolished the Parisians on the counter-attack in the Club World Cup final, scoring three goals while also managing to keep a clean sheet.

What is under the scanner is what followed the full-time whistle, with tensions boiling over at the MetLife Stadium following an altercation between Gianluigi Donnarumma and Andrey Santos.

New Chelsea signing Joao Pedro arrived to protect Santos, and he fell to the ground after being shoved in the face by Enrique, who had to be held back by PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe.

Luis Enrique could be hit with a total coaching ban

The Sun reveals that FIFA is now set to open a formal disciplinary probe into Enrique’s behaviour after the Club World Cup final.

However, the world football governing body will not be able to impose any specific match sanctions as PSG will not play any games under their jurisdiction until the InterContinental Cup in December.

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The Super Cup, including all other European competitions that PSG play, falls under the jurisdiction of UEFA, while their domestic matches are administered by the French Football Federation.

As a result, FIFA are set to impose a time penalty, which would see Enrique banned from all training grounds and matchday work for a fixed period, which will come as a massive boost to the Lilywhites ahead of the Club World Cup final.

Referring to Enrique’s behaviour at the MetLife Stadium, Spanish referee Eduardo Gonzalez told The Sun: “Of course, you can be sanctioned. There’s a difference, the red and yellow cards in the tournament will expire. But FIFA can sanction him with time.

“So, if Luis Enrique is given a one-month ban, he would miss any games in that month. What’s more, he wouldn’t even be able to train the team. You can’t touch an opponent’s face. That’s already a humiliating issue, that you have to go over and punch a player in the face when the game is over.

“I don’t look at names, I look at the action, and if we look at the action, it’s punishable. Fifa is above Uefa. If FIFA tells you there are three matches it’s in their competition, but since in this tournament the yellow and red cards ended, FIFA can, on the other hand, sanction players based on time.”

Luis Enrique plays down the incident ahead of Tottenham clash in UEFA Super Cup

Tottenham Hotspur fans will certainly be hoping FIFA come down hard on Enrique as the North Londoners are going to need all the help they can get in the Super Cup clash against the European champions.

However, in his post-match press conference, the PSG boss played down the incident and insisted that he only intended to prevent both sets of players from brawling.

Enrique said (via The Metro): “At the end of the match, there is a lot of tension. There was a situation that I believe could have been avoided by everyone. I think that is logical.

“I am going to prevent my players from going any further in that brawl and from then on there is pushing and shoving by everyone. I think and I repeat, that is not the best thing to do. It’s the result of the tension, the result of the situation of the match and I have nothing more to add.”