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Tottenham's response to Chelsea transfer approach for Lucas Bergvall revealed

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Tottenham's response to Chelsea transfer approach for Lucas Bergvall revealed - Football London
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Lucas Bergvall is one player that has truly impressed at struggling Tottenham Hotspur since his arrival from Sweden, and he has attracted the attention of Premier League rivals Chelsea and Aston Villa

Tottenham rejected transfer approaches from Chelsea and Aston Villa for Lucas Bergvall in the January transfer window.

The 20-year-old was a key player at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season under Ange Postecoglou and was named the club's player of the year after helping them win the Europa League.

Under Thomas Frank, who was sacked earlier this week, Bergvall started just 16 games and has occasionally been used out wide.

According to The Athletic, Chelsea and Villa are among the long-term admirers of the Sweden international and made direct contact with Spurs last month. The report claims they enquired about a move, but Spurs are believed to have slammed the door on a departure.

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Villa reportedly made contact after Spurs beat them to the signing of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea's interest followed their minor interest in Douglas Luiz, who returned to Villa Park. Bergvall is now expected to be the subject of interest in the summer at Spurs, especially if they miss out on European football.

The midfielder joined the club in June 2024 from Djurgarden and signed a new contract just 12 months later. His current contract runs until the summer of 2031.

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Prior to his move to the Premier League, Barcelona attempted to hijack Tottenham's move to bring him to Spain.

However, Bergvall opted to move to north London and he has been a consistent player under different managers.

Bergvall is currently unavailable for Tottenham after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury. The midfielder is expected to miss up to three months after suffering the injury in the 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Igor Tudor's first words after completing Tottenham move as true feelings on players clear

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Igor Tudor is Tottenham's interim head coach until the end of the season with the former Juventus boss officially announced by the club

New Tottenham interim head coach Igor Tudor has insisted his priority is to improve the club's results and "energise" the squad after replacing Thomas Frank.

Tudor was announced as the Dane's successor on Saturday after his sacking earlier this week. Spurs are currently 16th in the Premier League table and in the Champions League last 16.

Speaking after his appointment, the former Juventus and Marseille boss said: “It is an honour to join this Club at an important moment.

“I understand the responsibility I have been handed and my focus is clear. To bring greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every match.

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“There is strong quality in this playing squad, and my job is to organise it, energise it and improve our results quickly.” Sporting director Johan Lange laid out the objective for Tudor in the same statement, pointing towards the club's necessity for improved results.

“Igor brings clarity, intensity and experience of stepping into challenging moments and producing impact. Our objective is straightforward – to stabilise performances, maximise the quality within the squad and compete strongly in the Premier League and Champions League.”

Tudor, 47, arrives in north London after leaving Juventus in October. football.london reported earlier this week that Spurs were confident in appointing an experienced head coach before Monday.

The interim boss will have the chance to stake their claim for the permanent job throughout the season. Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with a return to the club and his services are expected to be available only post-World Cup.

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Former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic and ex-RB Leipzig head coach Marcos Rose are also in the running. Roberto De Zerbi, who left Marseille this week, could also be an option.

Oliver Glasner was recently asked about the opportunity at Tottenham, shaking his head in disappointment. The Austrian is due to leave Crystal Palace in the summer.

Why Tottenham appointed Igor Tudor as seven-manager battle for permanent job begins

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Why Tottenham appointed Igor Tudor as seven-manager battle for permanent job begins - Football London
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Igor Tudor now has a shot of landing the Tottenham job on a permanent basis - and he believes he has a squad capable of helping him achieve his target.

Spurs appointed Tudor as new interim head coach on Saturday, just three days after sacking Thomas Frank.

The Dane was dismissed following a dismal display in a 2-1 defeat by Newcastle a day earlier left the club in 16th and only five points above the Premier League relegation zone.

The north Londoners have moved quickly and turned to the experienced Croatian coach in their bid to move away from the bottom three.

Tudor will take training on Monday, with the players due to return to Hotspur Way after being given five days off.

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"It is an honour to join this club at an important moment," said Tudor. “I understand the responsibility I have been handed and my focus is clear. To bring greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every match.

“There is strong quality in this playing squad, and my job is to organise it, energise it and improve our results quickly.”

He has a huge challenge ahead, with the former Juventus boss preparing his new players for next weekend's huge north London derby with Arsenal.

It's understood that Tudor's track record of going into clubs and making an immediate impact encouraged the Spurs' hierarchy to get the deal done.

The 47-year-old has gone into Lazio and Juventus midway through league campaigns in recent seasons and delivered an instant upturn in results.

He has also managed Lazio and Galatasaray in a jam-packed managerial CV, with Spurs' becoming his 10th different club in the last 13 years.

With a wider pool of managerial candidates to pick from in the summer, Spurs have decided to go down the interim route for the final three months of this season.

If Tudor's spell proves successful, the club will consider him on a permanent basis.

Former boss Mauricio Pochettino is also a contender and could be available, with his current agreement with USA due to end following the World Cup this summer.

Roberto De Zerbi is another potential candidate, with the Italian having left Marseille by mutual content earlier this week - and he has Premier League experience with Brighton.

Two other names to have had success in England are Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner, who see their contracts with Bournemouth and Crystal Palace expire at the end of the season.

Former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic and ex-Red Bull Leipzig boss Marco Rose were considered for the interim role before Spurs pushed ahead to land Tudor.

The competition is fierce to land what is considered one of the biggest and most challenging jobs in English football.

Tudor now has his chance to stake a claim, but it will be not be straightforward with Spurs currently missing 12 players through injury and suspension.

Frank departed after only seven months, but following a run of two wins in 17 league fixtures, Spurs have been left in a scrap for survival.

Relegation to the second tier of English football for the first time since 1977 is a real possibility but Spurs have plenty to play for too, with a Champions League last-16 tie awaiting the north Londoners.

Tudor’s lack of Premier League experience hasn't gone down well with a fanbase already angry about a disastrous season. Now it's down to him to get Spurs fans back on side.

Tottenham's telling dig at Thomas Frank as Igor Tudor given six demands by Spurs chiefs

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Igor Tudor's appointment as Tottenham interim head coach until the end of the season has been confirmed with a clear goal before the summer

Tottenham Hotspur sporting director Johan Lange has explained why Igor Tudor has been given the job until the end of the season.

Tudor was announced as Frank's successor on Saturday after the Dane was dismissed on Wednesday. Spurs are currently 16th in the Premier League table and sit five points above the relegation zone.

Thomas Frank arrived from Brentford in the summer after Tottenham sacked Ange Postecoglou, despite the Australian having led them to the Europa League. However, eight months later, a disappointing run of results led Spurs to change their manager once again.

Tudor arrives after leaving Juventus earlier this season and has previously enjoyed spells with Marseille and Galatasaray. In the statement confirming his appointment, Lange explained the decision, listing six demands the Croatian has.

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"Igor brings clarity, intensity and experience of stepping into challenging moments and producing impact," he said, before adding what could be interpreted as a message regarding Frank. "Our objective is straightforward - to stabilise performances, maximise the quality within the squad and compete strongly in the Premier League and Champions League."

Under Frank, his football was often slammed for being too conservative, and when the going got tough, his team failed to take on the challenge. Lange's comments point toward Tudor addressing that in the remainder of the season.

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When discussing the objectives for Tudor, Lange calls for stabilisation of performance and an impact on the playing squad. Despite the injuries Frank suffered during his tenure, Spurs often underachieved despite the players available.

Finally, competing in the Premier League and Champions League were mentioned. Spurs' primary objective in the league is to avoid the relegation zone, and they have dropped ever closer in recent weeks as West Ham United has picked up form.

In the Champions League, Spurs won five of their eight league phase games, including victories over Borussia Dortmund, Villarreal and Eintracht Frankfurt. They will return to the competition next month following the knockout phase play-offs.

Igor Tudor has already made thoughts clear on one Tottenham player after attitude comment

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Igor Tudor has already made thoughts clear on one Tottenham player after attitude comment - Football London
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Igor Tudor has already been left heavily impressed by one Tottenham star ahead of his first match as interim manager

Igor Tudor will be looking forward to working with Randal Kolo Muani at Tottenham if his past comments at Juventus are anything to go by.

Tudor has been hired as Spurs' interim boss until the end of the season after the departure of Thomas Frank. He has been tasked with saving the club's domestic season, as they sit five points above the relegation zone.

Frank was sacked by the north London side following a poor run of results that has seen them drop to 16th in the Premier League table. As a result, Spurs had the aim of appointing an experienced manager who could make an immediate impact - and Tudor definitely fits that description.

He has had stints at Lazio and Juventus in recent seasons, where he worked with current Tottenham star Muani. Tudor was sacked within the year at Juve after replacing Thiago Motta, but not before he guided them into the Champions League qualification spot in the Serie A table.

Before this, he worked at Lazio. Although he last just 11 games before resigning, he won six, lost two and drew three of those, demonstrating the immediate impact he can have in a short amount of time.

As he began his reign in Italy, Tudor was quick to praise Muani in his opening press conference.

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He said: "We also have Kolo Muani, and their [alongside Dusan Vlahovic] presence is a big advantage for the team."

Muani continued to impress Tudor following Juve's 2-0 win over Monza, where the forward struck in the first half to double his team's advantage.

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Speaking after full-time, he added: "I liked Kolo Muani’s performance a lot, especially from an attitude perspective: he was able to understand the match well, it was a complete performance."

These comments show that Tudor expects big things from his familiar attacking man from now until the campaign's end. Muani is currently on loan to Spurs from Paris-Saint German and has made just six goal contributions in 27 appearances so far.

Fans will hope that Tudor can get the best out of the prolific star and steer Tottenham away from the bottom end of the table during the business end of the season.

The new boss will have some time to settle in with his new squad as FA Cup action takes place across England this weekend. But it'll be a baptism of fire for his first game in charge as he begins his spell in north London with a derby against Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 22.

Tottenham next manager candidate was subject of dressing room coup and huge revolt

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Tottenham's next permanent manager will have to contend with a difficult dressing room dynamic, something one candidate knows plenty about from his last job

Former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic is reportedly in the mix to take the reins from Igor Tudor at Tottenham.

Tudor, 47, has agreed to temporary charge until the end of the season. The former Galatasaray, Marseille and Juventus head coach bridges the gap while chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange explore a wider selection of candidates for a summer appointment.

Among them is German-Croatian coach Terzic, 43, who rose through the ranks at Dortmund after first working as a scout in the Bundesliga club's academy, reporting directly to then-manager Jurgen Klopp. An interim spell in charge of the first team for the second half of the 2020/21 season saw him win the DFB-Pokal.

And then after his replacement Marco Rose, who's also in the frame for Spurs' dugout vacancy, left by mutual consent at the end of the following campaign, Terzic finally got a permanent shot at the job himself.

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It remains the sole senior full-time position on his CV, albeit one that reads very well on paper. Dortmund came agonisingly close to ending Bayern Munich's decade-long dominance of the league in his first year.

They missed out on the title on goal difference after being held to a 2-2 draw by Mainz on the final day. The following season was far less impressive domestically as they could only manage a fifth-place finish, but they reached the Champions League final before a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid broke Black and Yellow hearts again.

However, behind the scenes, Terzic had been contending with a player revolt. In December 2023, Sky Germany reported that a large section of the squad wanted him gone because of his lack of influence in training.

While they were fond of his character, they felt he was lacking in the tactics department, including a distinct deficiency in pressing. His defensive play style wasn't proving popular, with certain players even going behind his back and stating their case to then-CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.

According to Bild, club legend Marco Reus was one of the leading figures behind the coup. The pleas fell on deaf ears, with Watzke refusing to wield the axe on Terzic midway through the season.

It was merely a stay of execution, though. As is often the case, player power won out eventually, with Terzic requesting his own exit at the end of the campaign, presumably deeming his position untenable amid such rife untrust.

That could perhaps ring alarm bells for Spurs, who the Telegraph say have added him and Rose to their list of managerial candidates. Roberto De Zerbi, who departed Marseille this week, and fan favourite former boss Mauricio Pochettino, who's committed to leading the United States at their home World Cup this summer, are also in contention, as well as Ferencváros head coach and ex-striker Robbie Keane.

Terzic is said to be keen on a Premier League job, having turned down several positions across Europe in the last 18 months. Time will tell if that interest is mutual.

Igor Tudor can build dream Tottenham XI for Arsenal clash with two changes and new formation

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Igor Tudor will only need to make a couple of changes to the starting lineup when Tottenham Hotspur face Arsenal in the North London Derby later this month. The former Juventus and Lazio boss, who has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Thomas Frank, could even change the formation too in a desperate effort to get off on the right foot.

football.london understands that the Lilywhites are confident they will appoint an experienced interim boss ahead of the players' return from a five-day break on Monday. Spurs want to bring somebody in until the end of the season before selecting a permanent option from a wider pool of candidates in the summer.

As it stands, it remains unclear who exactly Tottenham will bring in, but Tudor looks set to fill the vacancy. The 47-year-old, who's been without a job since October 2025, will have the opportunity to stake his claim for the job.

Tudor may only have a few days on the training pitches at Hotspur Way, but he'll be eager to put his stamp on the team. So, with that being said, football.london has looked at how Tottenham could set up under new management.

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Tudor could trial new formation

Tudor largely deployed a back-three at each of his last four clubs, with a striker and two inside forwards; a 3-4-2-1. Fortunately for the Tottenham squad, it's not an entirely foreign system, having previously set up similarly on a few occasions under Frank.

New Tottenham signing gets debut

Assuming that Tudor chooses to operate a back-three, like he has done fairly recently at Juventus, Lazio, Marseille and Hellas Verona, Souza could be given his first start for the club at left wing-back. Tottenham signed the 19-year-old defender from Santos in January, and he made his debut off the bench in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Guglielmo Vicario will likely remain between the sticks, while Djed Spence mirrors Souza on the opposite flank. The north Londoners are, of course, short on options at centre-half, so Archie Gray, Radu Dragușin, Micky van de Ven could make up the back-three.

Tudor reunites with former Juventus star

Tudor enjoyed a fruitful relationship with Randal Kolo Muani at Juventus. The 27-year-old striker, who was on loan at the Italian giants from Paris Saint-Germain, scored five goals in 11 appearances across all competitions under the Croatian.

Kolo Muani often led the Juventus frontline, flanked by two inside forwards. Under Tudor at Spurs, he could, however, play a support role, with Dominic Solanke unlikely to be omitted from the starting lineup.

With Xavi Simons also unlikely to be dropped, Conor Gallagher will be left fighting Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma, and Joao Palhinha for a place in the midfield pivot.

Tudor's dream Tottenham XI vs Arsenal: Vicario; Souza, Van de Ven, Gray, Dragusin, Spence; Gallagher, Palhinha; Simons, Kolo Muani; Solanke.

Tottenham have dropped Mauricio Pochettino hint with Igor Tudor agreement

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Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with a return to Tottenham Hotspur this summer after the decision to sack Thomas Frank this week

Tottenham Hotspur are set to appoint Igor Tudor as interim head coach until the end of the season - potentially offering a hint that they may look to bring Mauricio Pochettino back this summer.

Spurs are in crisis as they seek a steadying presence to guide them through the season. They may be through to the Champions League last 16, but their worrying Premier League form has set alarm bells ringing in north London.

Tottenham sit 16th in the top-flight table - just five points clear of the bottom three. If finishing 17th last season wasn't a wake-up call - Spurs are being dealt a harsh lesson which could see them sleepwalk into the Championship.

It's why Tudor's arrival will create so much intrigue. The Croatian has a good track record of success in the short-term which should reassure Tottenham that they won't get sucked into a relegation battle.

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But his record after getting the Juventus job on a permanent basis - after impressing in the interim role - suggests his impact is limited beyond a short period of time. That will indicate that unless he leads Spurs to an improbable deep run in the Champions League, such as a final or even victory, he won't be at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium beyond this summer.

Which raises questions about what's next at Spurs? Pochettino will always have a special place in the hearts of fans.

Few, if any, managers in the club's recent history have been as popular as the Argentine. Of course, getting him in before he leads the USA at their home World Cup was always unlikely if not impossible.

However, could there be an agreement in place for after the tournament finishes on July 19? If Spurs come calling, it's hard to see Pochettino turning them down, whatever happens with the USA this summer.

A move back to the club he made his name at would be hugely popular among the club's fanbase. But managers very rarely enjoy success at a club the second time round.

Of course, Pochettino would see it as unfinished business, having never won a trophy at Spurs despite being their most successful manager in terms of league finishes in the 21st century. And yet his stock hasn't risen since he left in November 2019.

If anything, Pochettino's reputation as one of the game's great managers has diminished after underwhelming spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. The 53-year-old has hardly been pulling up trees in his current job with the US national team either.

Tottenham's next decision over who leads them going into the 2026/27 season will be vital. There are already plenty of warning signs that more mistakes are to come at a club which has badly lost its way.

Antonio Conte has already given green light to new Tottenham manager who is 'really strong'

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly appointing a good friend of Antonio Conte's as their replacement for Thomas Frank on an interim basis until the end of this season

Tottenham Hotspur are said to be appointing a good friend of Antonio Conte as their interim head coach until the end of this season.

Igor Tudor has reportedly reached an agreement to replace Thomas Frank for the rest of this campaign, three-and-a half months after being sacked by Juventus. The former Croatia international previously played for the Turin-based club alongside Conte from 1998 until the Italian retired in 2004.

Their paths first crossed as coaches in 2019, when Conte's Inter beat Tudor's Udinese. They then met twice during the 2022 Champions League group stages, when they were in charge of Marseille and Tottenham.

Before the first of those fixtures, Conte told SPURSPLAY: "Marseille are a really good team, and they have a really good coach who I know very well… Igor Tudor is a friend, we played together for many years in Juventus.

"We lifted trophies together; at the same time, we also lost trophies together." They won back-to-back Serie A titles in the early 2000s but lost the 2003 Champions League final to Milan after a penalty shootout at Old Trafford.

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Conte continued: "I've known him a long time. He's a really good guy, a strong person, also, as a player, he was really strong.

"The last time I saw him was when he was an assistant coach at Juventus with Andrea Pirlo. He's a good friend; sometimes, we message on the phone.

He added: "I am really happy to see him on the bench at an important club in Europe like Marseille. He did very well last season in Verona (coaching Hellas), and yeah, he's doing a really good job. I wish for him the best, apart from these two games against us!"

Tudor was similarly complimentary of the then-Spurs coach. He said: "Antonio, I know him as a human being, as a person. When I came to Juventus, I was only 20, and I found a dressing room with players like him [Ciro] Ferrara, [Paolo] Montero, [Alessandro] Del Piero, players who have value, not only as a player but as a person.

"He was one of the guys who was always exemplary, not by speaking but by his behaviour. In the end, the best way to look is to behave the right way.

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"Then, after I had him as assistant coach, when I went to play at Siena, he was assistant coach to me there for one year. Then, after I started trying to be a coach, he was at Juventus - the first time he was there - he let me see all the training for one week, and I learned a lot from him. Now he's one of the best in the world.

"Tomorrow, coaches are there, but I think always decided by players. They are the protagonists, and in the end, they are the ones who will decide the game."

Tudor had his Marseille team train in France the day before their Champions League match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, rather than at the away team's stadium, as is customary in UEFA competitions. He explained their decision not to utilise the access they are allowed 24 hours before the match.

The then-Marseille coach said: "We took this decision because we think it's a better option. We could prepare better this morning, as here we don't have much time to prepare for the game.

Tudor then joked: "Because if we prepare the training here, Antonio will see all the training and [managing director of football, Fabio] Paratici from Juventus, they will be there with the camera! So, better prepare this morning in Marseille."

Tottenham star has already given 'green light' to appoint new favourite to replace Thomas Frank

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Tottenham Hotspur could reunite one of Europe's most exciting partnerships ahead of the North London Derby

Xavi Simons has previously claimed that he and Marco Rose are a 'top combination'. The former RB Leipzig boss has recently emerged as one of the many potential candidates to fill the vacant head coach position at Tottenham Hotspur.

According to The Telegraph, the Lilywhites have shortlisted Rose and Edin Terzic as potential successors to Thomas Frank, with the interview process now underway. The report claims that the duo are of interest to Spurs, but it remains unclear whether they are viewed as interim or permanent options.

It's said that Roberto De Zerbi, Mauricio Pochettino and Robbie Keane are also thought to be 'prominent' in internal discussions. Despite strong competition, Rose has been named as the new bookies' favourite to take the reins.

The 49-year-old has been without a job since March 2025, when he was sacked by Leipzig. Rose enjoyed a fruitful two-and-a-half-year stint at the Red Bull Arena, winning the DFB-Pokal.

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Simons worked closely with the German at Die Roten Bullen, scoring 18 goals and providing 22 assists in 68 games across all competitions. Together, they won the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, smashing Bayern Munich in a three-goal thriller at the Allianz Arena.

In an interview with the Bundesliga website before they parted ways, Simons showered Rose with praise. The 22-year-old midfielder, whom Tottenham signed from Leipzig for £51mILLION in the summer, said: "Top combination, I would say. No, he's a coach.

"I heard from him before I came here, and, yeah, really honest coach, if things go well and things don't go too well, he would tell you, for sure. He really wants you to improve and, at the end of the day, being successful with the team, that's the most important thing for him."

Rose was just as complimentary of Simons during their time together. Speaking to German outlet Kicker in September 2023, as quoted by Liga Insider, the former Leipzig boss said: "He's almost a prototype for what we want in our style of play.

"Our scouting department recognised this brilliantly and presented him accordingly. He enjoys chasing the ball and winning tackles, radiates tremendous energy both with and without the ball, and is also a gifted footballer."

Rose added: "The lad has a lot to offer, and yet I'm cautious with terms like 'superstar.' We should let him remain as carefree in the new league as he is right now.

"He doesn't give the impression that he needs the hype. Xavi is already showing how well he fits our playing philosophy."

Then, in January 2025, Rose welcomed Simons back from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a classy message. As quoted by Bulinews after a 4-2 win over Werder Bremen, he said: "We know that Xavi is a difference-maker.

"I said to him right after the game: ‘Great job’. And I don't mean today's game, but the way he came back from his injury. The way he worked after his injury and the way he came back."