The Boy Hotspur

Scott Munn served as Tottenham Hotspur’s Chief Football Officer from 2023 to 2025, a role he left (being placed on gardening leave in June 2025, effectively ending his tenure) as part of a broader executive overhaul at the club.

His time at Spurs was mixed, with some notable positives but significant criticisms, particularly around off-field management and injury issues.

Here’s a balanced overview based on reports from his departure period and reflections:

Positive aspects and achievements: Munn was a key figure in appointing manager Ange Postecoglou and oversaw organisational changes in football operations.

In his first full season (2023-24), Tottenham improved from 8th to 5th in the Premier League. In the second season (2024-25), the club won the Europa League—their first trophy in over 15-20 years—and qualified for the Champions League.

Munn himself highlighted these as key metrics of success despite challenges, noting the club prioritised European success over a higher domestic finish.

Challenges and criticisms: The 2024-25 Premier League campaign was poor domestically, with ongoing and worsening injury problems under Postecoglou. Munn led a medical department review that resulted in changes (e.g., the exit of long-serving head of medicine Geoff Scott in 2024), but injuries persisted or worsened, drawing blame toward him and the processes he oversaw.

Some reports described his tenure as underwhelming overall, with limited lasting impact beyond the Europa League win (shared credit with Postecoglou and others), and he “ruffled feathers” in restructuring efforts.

Departure context: His exit aligned with Postecoglou’s sacking and the arrival of new CEO Vinai Venkatesham, amid Tottenham’s frequent structural changes. It was not framed as a voluntary success story but as part of addressing underperformance (especially injuries and league form). Post-tenure, Munn reflected positively on learning experiences and relationships (including with Postecoglou) while acknowledging shortcomings.

Overall, he was not considered particularly successful in a holistic sense—his stint delivered a major trophy but coincided with persistent issues that contributed to his departure after less than two years. The Europa League triumph stands out as a highlight, but broader evaluations (from fans, media, and club decisions) lean toward viewing his time as underwhelming or unsuccessful relative to expectations for the role.

Simon Hill is the voice behind some of the most iconic moments in Australian football over the last two decades, and he has now produced a fascinating interview with the former ENIC man, Scott Munn.

Whatever fans may think of Munn, it is worth considering that no executive can overrule a business’s culture, and Munn was certainly working with his hands tied to some extent. Munn was a key figure in appointing manager Ange Postecoglou and oversaw organisational changes in football operations. In his first full season (2023-24), Tottenham improved from 8th to 5th in the Premier League. In the second season (2024-25), the club won the Europa League, their first trophy in over 15-20 years, and qualified for the Champions League.

Munn himself highlighted these as key metrics of success despite challenges, noting the club prioritised European success over a higher domestic finish.

“History shows it has been 17 managers in 20 years – for me, it’s about actions along with the results. If you are with a club, and you don’t win anything, then that’s a pretty important measure.

I remember a CFG board meeting, and (Manchester City) had finished second in the Premier League the year before. The Chairman – Khaldoon Al-Mubarak – started the meeting by saying that wasn’t acceptable!

That was instilled in everything we did in the club. I didn’t have that same feeling at Spurs. At that level, the margin for error is so small that culture and mentality can be the difference between three points on a Saturday.”

It is frankly chilling that winning was not the be-all and end-all at Tottenham, but hardly a surprise.

Munn’s legacy at Spurs is certainly mixed, but it is fascinating that he raises the comparison between the two sides.

The 2024-25 Premier League campaign was poor domestically, with ongoing and worsening injury problems under Postecoglou. Munn led a medical department review that resulted in changes (e.g., the exit of long-serving head of medicine Geoff Scott in 2024), but injuries persisted or worsened, drawing blame toward him and the processes he oversaw. Some reports described his tenure as underwhelming overall, with limited lasting impact beyond the Europa League win (shared credit with Postecoglou and others), and he “ruffled feathers” in restructuring efforts.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the Wolves defender Hugo Bueno at the end of the season.

According to a report from TeamTalk, Newcastle United is also keen on the 23-year-old Spanish defender. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can get the deal done in the summer. They are looking to bring in a quality left-back, and they have recently tried to sign Andrew Robertson from Liverpool.

Even though they have signed Souza, they could use more experience and depth in that position.

Hugo Bueno could be a superb addition

Bueno has done well for Wolves this season despite their struggles. There is no doubt that the 23-year-old is good enough to play for a bigger club. The opportunity to join Tottenham will be exciting for him. Wolves are likely to be relegated at the end of the season, and he will not want to compete in the Championship next season. It remains to be seen whether the North London club can win the race for his signature. They have the financial muscle to get the deal done, and convincing the player will not be difficult either.

It has been a disastrous season for Spurs, and they will look to bounce back strongly. They need quality additions during the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old is a hard-working defender who will help out at both ends of the pitch. He will help protect the central defenders and create opportunities for his teammates going forward. Bueno has been hailed as a “huge talent”.

Spurs move could be ideal for Bueno

The 23 year-old entering the peak years of his career, and this is the right time for him to take on a new challenge and join a bigger club. Tottenham could provide him with the opportunity to compete in Europe and fight for trophies in future.

Wolves will not want to lose a key player like him, but they will be powerless to stop him from leaving if they are relegated in the summer.

Tottenham Hotspur (who finished 4th in the league phase) will face either Atlético Madrid or Galatasaray in the round of 16. This stems from the knockout play-off round results: Atlético Madrid advanced by beating Club Brugge 7-4 on aggregate (including a 4-1 second-leg win).

Galatasaray advanced dramatically against Juventus, winning 7-5 on aggregate after extra time (they led 5-2 from the first leg, survived a comeback in the second, and sealed it with extra-time goals from Victor Osimhen and Barış Yılmaz).

The round of 16 draw (which also determines potential quarter-final and semi-final paths) is scheduled for Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:00 GMT in Nyon, Switzerland. That’s when we’ll know the exact matchup, home/away legs, and full bracket.

First legs of the round of 16 are set for March 10-11, with second legs on March 17-18. Spurs have a strong recent European home record (unbeaten in 24 games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium), which could be key whichever opponent they draw. Both potential foes are tough: Atlético under their defensive style, and Galatasaray boosted by stars like Osimhen and recent big wins in Europe.

The Premier League has an impressive six teams in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League round of 16, the most from any league this season. This reflects a strong campaign for English clubs in the new league phase format.

Here are the qualified Premier League teams (all advanced directly as top-eight finishers in the league phase, except Newcastle, who came through the knockout play-offs): Arsenal (finished 1st in league phase) — Seeded high, will face either Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen.

Liverpool (3rd) — Will face either Atlético Madrid or Galatasaray.

Tottenham Hotspur (4th) — Will face either Atlético Madrid or Galatasaray (as mentioned in your previous query).

Chelsea (6th) — Will face either Newcastle United or PSG (Paris Saint-Germain).

Manchester City (8th) — Will face either Bodø/Glimt or Real Madrid.

Newcastle United — Qualified via play-offs (strong aggregate win over Qarabag), will face either Chelsea or Barcelona.

The full list of 16 round of 16 teams includes these six from the Premier League, plus: Barcelona (Spain)

Sporting CP (Portugal)

Bayern Munich (Germany)

Atlético Madrid (Spain)

Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)

Bodø/Glimt (Norway)

Galatasaray (Turkey)

Atalanta (Italy)

Real Madrid (Spain)

Paris Saint-Germain (France)

The round of 16 draw takes place tomorrow, Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:00 GMT in Nyon, Switzerland. It will confirm the exact pairings, home/away legs, and paths through to the quarters and semis.

First legs are March 10-11, seconds March 17-18. With six English sides left, there’s huge potential for big clashes later on (though rules prevent same-league ties until the final in some cases, but not strictly here in early rounds).

Tottenham fans could do with some cheering up, and Tim Sherwood’s latest interview may be as close as it gets. The former player and interim manager has waded into the conversation about relegation with his usual brash manner, but in respect of Tottenham, the message is clear.

“I think they will get out of it. I still believe the next two games are so crucial because you can forget about the injuries, you can maybe hold your hands up and say that it was obvious in hindsight that Arsenal were too good. But having said that, Arsenal on paper would be too good for Wolves, especially with a two goal lead and Wolves still got something out of it.

“So, Tottenham should have done better, just trying to find a way, but they haven’t. They’ve got to dust themselves down, have a look for now, get calm heads, see where they are. You’ve got to go away to Fulham and home to Crystal Palace, if you get nothing from them two games, then the hole gets bigger. And you start looking up thinking, we’re never getting out of this.”

Time goes on to suggest that it’s West Ham that are more likely to get the drop, which is something Spurs fans ought to consider.

On a less upbeat note, the former gaffer has unleashed a scathing attack on the way the club is run these days. He highlighted issues like poor recruitment, lack of squad depth, and broader problems behind the scenes as reasons for the decline.

“Where’s the academy? They must have closed it and put a spa in there. Where’s the academy players? Tottenham Hotspur, where are they? There’s a few of them out on loan doing alright. Mikey Moore at Rangers? Bring them back and give them a chance to play. At least you gain something out of the season.”

Tim has a point; there appears to be a situation at Spurs whereby there’s a huge reluctance to expose youth players in the Premier League, which doesn’t sit well with most supporters.

Despite the doom and gloom, Sherwood still backs Tottenham to survive, suggesting interim manager Igor Tudor needs around three wins from the remaining games to secure safety. He noted that Spurs have a points buffer over teams below them, but warned that the fixtures and current mentality could make it close.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the Real Madrid playmaker Franco Mastantuono.

The 18-year-old Argentine midfielder is highly rated across Europe, and he has a bright future. He is expected to develop into a world-class player, but he has struggled for regular opportunities at the Spanish club. He needs to play more often, and it would be ideal for him to join a club, where he will be a regular starter.

Spurs eye Franco Mastantuono

Tottenham are prepared to provide him with an exit route, and a report (h/t CaughtOffside) claims that he could cost around €50 million. Even though he’s a promising young player, Real Madrid will find it difficult to turn down a substantial offer. It will be interesting to see whether Tottenham is willing to make an official proposal at the end of the season.

They could use more cutting-edge creativity in the final third. The 18-year-old is capable of operating on the flanks and in central areas. He will help create opportunities for his teammates.

Even though the €50 million investment might seem expensive right now, the player has the potential to justify the outlay in future. He has all the attributes to become a star for Tottenham with the right guidance. Regular football in England could bring out the best in him and accelerate his development.

Mastantuono is highly rated

The midfielder is highly rated across Europe, and he has been described as a “warrior” with a “lovely technique”.

Xabi Alonso said of him: “He’s a warrior, but he’s got quality, too. He’s a combative player and he’s got a beautiful left foot, both from set-pieces and in the final pass. He’s got lovely technique and he’s very young. We have to guide him, but he’s already playing at a very decent level.”

There is no doubt that he has the quality to play in the Premier League, and he will look to hit the ground running in English football if the move goes through. Tottenham could be the ideal move for him right now. He should look to improve with regular football. He will get plenty of opportunities to join elite clubs in future.

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to sign RC Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser.

The 21-year-old French goalkeeper has done well this season and is being considered a potential replacement for Guglielmo Vicario. The Italian has been quite underwhelming since joining the club. He can be quite error-prone, and Tottenham need a more reliable option at their disposal.

Vicario has made multiple mistakes since joining the club, but he is “always blaming” his teammates, as Jamie Carragher rightly pointed out earlier this season.

Tottenham to replace Vicario with Robin Risser

According to a report from TEAMtalk (h/t CaughtOffside), Tottenham are prepared to cash in on the Italian, and they want to sign the Frenchman as a replacement. He’s a young player with a lot of potential, and he could develop into a top-class goalkeeper for Tottenham. The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for him as well.

It will be interesting to see if Spurs follow up on their interest with an official proposal to get the deal done. Vicario has been linked with a return to Italy, and clubs like Juventus are keen on him.

A return to his comfort zone would be ideal for the Italian international. He needs a fresh start in order to regain his form and confidence. He has struggled with the physicality of the Premier League, and Tottenham would do well to replace him.

Risser could be a superb addition

“Tottenham Hotspur are intensifying their search for a new goalkeeper. 21-year-old Lens shot-stopper Robin Risser has emerged as an option to replace Guglielmo Vicario, who the club have decided to offload in the summer. Tottenham’s hierarchy has already made the decision to move… pic.twitter.com/JjxZC7rfHq

— Chris Cowlin (@ChrisCowlin) February 24, 2026

He will hope to compete at the highest level with Tottenham and fight for major trophies in the near future if the move goes through.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the Real Madrid playmaker Franco Mastantuono.

The 18-year-old Argentine midfielder is highly rated across Europe, and he has a bright future. He is expected to develop into a world-class player, but he has struggled for regular opportunities at the Spanish club. He needs to play more often, and it would be ideal for him to join a club, where he will be a regular starter.

Spurs eye Franco Mastantuono

Tottenham are prepared to provide him with an exit route, and a report from Fichajes (h/t CaughtOffside) claims that he could cost around €50 million. Even though he’s a promising young player, Real Madrid will find it difficult to turn down a substantial offer. It will be interesting to see whether Tottenham is willing to make an official proposal at the end of the season.

They could use more cutting-edge creativity in the final third. The 18-year-old is capable of operating on the flanks and centrally. He will help create opportunities for his teammates.

Even though the €50 million investment might seem expensive right now, the player has the potential to justify the outlay in future. He has all the attributes to become a star for Tottenham with the right guidance. Regular football in England could bring out the best in him and accelerate his development.

Mastantuono is highly rated

The midfielder is highly rated across Europe, and he has been described as a “warrior” with a “lovely technique”.

Xabi Alonso said of him: “He’s a warrior, but he’s got quality, too. He’s a combative player and he’s got a beautiful left foot, both from set-pieces and in the final pass. He’s got lovely technique and he’s very young. We have to guide him, but he’s already playing at a very decent level.”

There is no doubt that he has the quality to play in the Premier League, and he will look to hit the ground running in English football if the move goes through. Tottenham could be the ideal move for him right now. He should look to improve with regular football. He will get plenty of opportunities to join elite clubs in future.

Teddy Sheringham is widely regarded as a Tottenham Hotspur legend.

He had two spells at the club: first from 1992 to 1997, where he became a standout performer in the early Premier League era, and then a return from 2001 to 2003. Across both periods, he made around 236 appearances in league play (with totals varying slightly by source, but often cited at 277 games including cups) and scored approximately 97–125 goals depending on the competition breakdown—making him one of the club’s most prolific forwards in the modern era.

Key highlights of his Tottenham legacy include:

Winning the Premier League Golden Boot (top scorer) in the inaugural 1992–93 season with 22 goals (21 for Spurs after his move from Nottingham Forest).

Forming memorable partnerships, notably with Jürgen Klinsmann.

Earning huge popularity among fans for his intelligence, technique, goal-scoring consistency, and leadership (he even captained the side during his second spell).

In official recognition, Sheringham was inducted into the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame in 2008 (alongside Clive Allen), a clear marker of his legendary status at the club. Media outlets, fan discussions, and Tottenham-related content frequently refer to him as a “Spurs legend,” and he’s often ranked among the club’s greatest players of the Premier League era.

While he achieved his biggest trophy successes at Manchester United (including the 1999 treble), his longest top-flight stint and most appearances/goals came at Tottenham, and that’s where he’s most fondly remembered by many supporters.

Martin Lipton is the chief sports reporter for The Sun and one of the few old-school journalists still covering Spurs, and so his voice carries far greater gravitas than the run-of-the-mill mob that infest the modern era of reporting. He’s mature, informed, and understands football. Lipton’s piece about the perilous state of Tottenham makes tough reading, but not a word is out of place.

Spurs could realistically get relegated from the Premier League this season, though it’s still considered unlikely by most statistical models. Tottenham has been in abysmal form: winless in the Premier League in 2026 and there’s the stark reality of zero wins from their games this calendar year, including a heavy 4-1 loss to Arsenal in the recent North London derby.

They’ve won only 2 of their last 18 league matches overall. Thomas Frank was sacked in February after poor results (including a home loss to Newcastle), with Igor Tudor appointed as the new manager, but the immediate impact hasn’t turned things around yet.

Injuries have plagued the squad, contributing to the slump.

Lipton called the first team squad an Invertebrates XI, which feels true, especially when one notes the mindless shouting of Vicario, and the appalling losses of possession from the likes of Xavi Simons, against the Gunners.

The relationship between the board and the fans, never that great, is now fractured beyond repair. That is despite last week’s welcome freeze on ticket prices and extension of reduced costs for younger supporters.

Arsenal obliterated Spurs, who now look on at the once-admired ENIC, and the gloss has well and truly come off the multipurpose stadium operation.

The fan ire stems from perceptions that ENIC prioritises financial stability and profit over on-pitch ambition and success. Fans point to chronic underinvestment in the squad (e.g., low wages relative to revenue, reactive rather than proactive transfers, and a “sell-to-buy” or penny-pinching approach), which they blame for the club’s current poor form and serious relegation threat.

Years of appalling recruitment, leaving Tudor to work with the worst toolbox the club has offered in more than a decade.

Many describe the club as mismanaged for decades, with ENIC accused of treating Tottenham as a business asset rather than a football club with winning aspirations. Phrases like “sucking the life out of our club,” “greed,” and “lack of ambition” appear frequently in fan discussions.

Betting markets have shifted dramatically: Spurs’ relegation probability is now around 16-18%, and Supercomputer models (like Opta) put the chance lower, around 3-4.5%, but it’s been creeping up after recent defeats. Media and analysts describe it as a genuine relegation battle now, with Spurs in the mix alongside Forest, West Ham, and Leeds.

Fans are no longer asking, with a sense of worry, “if” Spurs could be relegated. They are wondering “how” the spiralling club can avoid it.

Many outlets call it a “very real possibility” or even warn of “catastrophic” financial consequences if it happens (massive revenue drop, player exits, etc.), given Spurs’ status as a historically big club that hasn’t been relegated since the 1970s and never in the Premier League era.

One senses that ENIC may step up its search to find a buyer while they still have something worth selling.