TBR Football

With Tottenham in freefall under Ange Postecoglou, the blame game is in full swing in N17. Is it a rotten football culture and fixation on all things commercial, or simply a biblical injury list?

In truth, the current soap opera at Spurs is probably a combination of all of the above coupled with umpteen other structural issues.

It’s hard to argue that the manager isn’t culpable for several of them, but it is Levy’s blood that fans are baying for – and with one trophy in the 21st century, who can argue with them?

Tottenham are without a win in their last seven Premier League matches.

Granted, that run was punctuated with a 1-0 League Cup semi-final first-leg win over all-conquering Liverpool, giving them a half-decent chance of a first trophy since 2008.

But although the last decade or so has been characterised by a belief that silverware of any description would change things at Spurs, the malaise in this corner of North London is now well beyond a quick fix.

Winning English football’s least prestigious ‘major’ honour probably wouldn’t stifle the calls for Levy to step aside as chairman.

Similarly, it probably won’t be a determining factor in whether Ange Postecoglou keeps his job as far as ENIC are concerned given the paltry prize money and prestige on offer from the League Cup.

For context, the difference between finishing in 15th (Tottenham’s current league position) and 14th in the Premier League is worth around 20 times more than the payout for winning the League Cup.

And if there is one thing that moves ENIC and Levy, it is money.

The owners have never taken a penny out of the club via equity, although Levy has been paid over £50m in his role as chairman since he took the position – initially on an interim basis – in 2000.

Having engineered the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, made the Spurs the most profitable club in Premier League history, and hiked revenue by over 1,000 per cent, Levy would argue he’s good value.

And while Tottenham fans – who measure success against wholly different criteria – would disagree in the most extreme terms, the 62-year-old has proved his business acumen once again in recent weeks.

Tottenham smash £250m barrier

Deloitte recently released their annual Football Money League, which ranks clubs according to official data based on various financial metrics.

In terms of revenue, Tottenham fell from 8th to 9th place, with their absence from the Champions League seeing turnover fall from £550m to around £515m.

However, commercial income has risen from £218m to approximately £250m.

And given that Spurs have struck nine new sponsorship deals since the start of the season, fans can expect to see that figure rise again when their 2024-25 figures are released.

In details that don’t make good reading for supporters desperate for more investment, Spurs also had the lowest wages-to-turnover ratio of any club in the Money League.

We can also confidently say that, although not every club’s accounts are out yet, that will translate to the lowest wages-to-turnover ratio in the Premier League for 2023-24.

Levy and ENIC would argue that their business model is sound and that they are simply spending within their means.

The more cynically minded among us, however, would contest that they have simply found that spending enough to compete four the top six places in the Premier League delivers the best income-expenses ratio.

In any case, it is not working this season, and no amount of commercial income will offset the ignominy that a bottom-half finish in the Premier League – or worse – would cause.

The Todd Kline mystery: Where is Tottenham’s CEO?

Although Spurs fans are sick of hearing about their commercial department, they may well be wondering who is steering the ship at present.

It has been almost 12 months since Tottenham announced that chief commercial officer Todd Kline would be exiting the club in a prosaic statement that suggested he may have left under a cloud.

Soon after, it emerged that Kline had defected to Chelsea.

Spurs are yet to announce his successor, although an unnamed official under the banner of ‘chief commercial officer’ did attend a leading sports business conference late last year.

Whoever it is, they could have a big hand in the future of the club as they will likely be given a seat on the board, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire.

Speaking exclusively to TBR Football, Maguire said: “Commercial revenue is one area where clubs have an element of control.

“Therefore, having someone with experience in the role and can communicate at ‘C’ level is essentially

“I would imagine the commercial director will have a board position because the decisions they make are significant financially in the long term.”

Tottenham Hotspur’s list of injuries is showing no signs of letting up with James Maddison the latest player to pick up an issue.

Maddison suffered a calf injury against Hoffenheim which ruled him out of Spurs’ defeat to Leicester City on the weekend and the full extent of the issue has now been made known.

Ange Postecoglou’s current list of injuries now extends to 12 players with Pape Matar Sarr and Richarlison also doubts to feature against IF Elfsborg on Thursday.

The Australian manager has now been made aware of how long he will be without Maddison after assessments revealed how bad his calf injury actually is.

James Maddison ruled out for two to three weeks

James Maddison has been ruled out of action for two to three weeks with a calf injury, according to Paul O’Keefe.

Tottenham had been hoping that the 28-year-old was just struggling with fatigue, however, scans have revealed that he has a calf issue.

Three weeks on the sidelines could see him miss around four matches with three crucial cup matches due to be played during this period.

Spurs face Elfsborg in their final Europa League group-stage match and will likely need a win to ensure they finish in the top eight.

The Lilywhites then travel away to Brentford in what will be a tough Premier League clash and the need for a result has been heightened with Everton now close to overtaking them.

The following week Spurs will have crucial cup matches against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg and then Aston Villa in the FA Cup.

The North London club simply can’t afford to stand still in the January window with Maddison now adding their unprecedented injury woes.

What is the latest with Tottenham arrivals this month?

Tottenham are working to sign Tyler Dibling from Southampton with the winger expected to cost around £50 million, TBR Football can reveal.

Spurs have been looking to add to their attacking options and the impressive 18-year-old could be the player who arrives through the door this month.

Daniel Levy is keen for Tottenham Hotspur to replicate one thing their Premier League rivals have done exceptionally well recently.

Tottenham fans expressed their anger towards Levy during their defeat to Leicester as they chanted for the chairman to leave the football club and unveiled banners with similar messages.

In an attempt to steer the North London club back in the right direction, Levy wants the Lilywhites to copy the recruitment model of two Premier League clubs in particular.

Daniel Levy wants to replicate Brighton and Brentford’s recruitment model

Daniel Levy is keen for Tottenham to replicate Brighton and Brentford’s recruitment model, according to the Daily Mail.

The Spurs chairman wants the North London club to be ahead of the curve with the players they are signing just like their Premier League rivals.

The Seagulls have been particularly impressive over recent years having signed the likes of Karou Mitoma, Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Marc Cucurella.

Brentford are another club who have done impressive business with players like Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, David Raya and Ivan Toney.

The Lilywhites went young with their recruitment drive last summer as they brought in four teenagers and promoted Mikey Moore and Will Lankshear from their academy.

Their four teenage signings all look solid investments for the future, however, it’s left supporters questioning whether they got the right balance between experience and youth.

Spurs are looking to sign Tyler Dibling from Southampton this month as they continue to plough ahead with plans to sign the next generation of young talents.

How Tottenham’s teenage signings have faired this season

Ange Postecoglou has asked a lot of Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray during Tottenham’s injury crisis with the duo having played a lot of football over recent weeks.

The Swede has looked excellent in the midfield and been a real shining light in a rough patch for the team, meanwhile, the former Leeds midfielder has impressed many with his ability to play across the back line.

Wilson Odobert made a good start to life in North London only for a hamstring injury to halt his debut campaign with Spurs.

Min-hyeok Yang could end up being sent on loan this month with Postecoglou making it clear that the 18-year-old is not ready for Premier League football.

Tottenham Hotspur could be forced to change managers soon if Ange Postecoglou fails to turn things around at Spurs.

The Australian changed the atmosphere in and around the club when he first took charge at the start of the 2023/24 season. His style of football was like a breath of fresh air.

However, once the honeymoon period came to an end, Tottenham had to face a number of problems, and that has cost them dearly in the Premier League.

Spurs are now 15th in the league table, just eight points above the drop zone. Postecoglou is safe for now, but if things don’t get better, Daniel Levy will have no choice but to show him the door.

If that happens, Tottenham will need a replacement, and several names have been linked.

Mauricio Pochettino returning to Tottenham to replace Ange Postecoglou is unlikely

Mauricio Pochettino is still adored by many Tottenham supporters.

The Argentine, like most others, failed to win a trophy at Spurs, but he took them closest to silverware. No other manager in the last 15 years or so made them more competitive than he did.

Pochettino ruffled a few feathers among Tottenham fans when he became the manager of Chelsea, but several supporters still have a soft spot for him.

Many even feel that Pochettino would’ve done a much better job now if he was backed as much as Postecoglou has been over the last 18 months.

That has led to some fans dreaming of seeing Pochettino return, but Dean Jones has claimed that it is extremely unlikely even though it would be a tantalising prospect for the 52-year-old.

He told GiveMeSport: “A return for Mauricio Pochettino would undoubtedly excite Tottenham fans, but is very unlikely.

“He has recently taken charge of the United States men’s national team and while a north London comeback remains a tantalising prospect, his current commitments make it improbable in the near term.”

Postecoglou could save his job with one result

Tottenham have lost four games on the bounce in the Premier League and things are not about to get easy for Postecoglou.

Spurs’ next five games in the league are against Brentford, Manchester United, Ipswich Town, Manchester City and Bournemouth.

Tottenham could end up dropping points in all of those games, but if Postecoglou can hold off Liverpool and make it into the final of the Carabao Cup, we think his job will be safe.

Tottenham need a new striker before the February 3rd transfer deadline.

The centre-back department was the main issue for Ange Postecoglou at Spurs heading into January, as Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero were both sidelined, meaning Archie Gray had to step in as cover.

Tottenham are yet to sign a new central defender, and amidst their hesitance in the market, more injuries have occurred, with Dominic Solanke now out with a knee problem, while Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner are also absent.

Spurs currently sit 15th in the Premier League – and face a defining period in the cup competitions – so a new striker would be very much welcomed in N17 at this difficult time.

Now – according to Mike Verweij of De Telegraaf – Brian Brobbey is keen on a move to Tottenham.

Brian Brobbey wants to join Tottenham

The reliable Dutch journalist has now made an interesting comment about the Ajax No.9 when speaking on the Kick-off podcast for De Telegraaf.

Voetbal Primeur quote Verweij as saying: “If a Premier League club like West Ham United or Spurs comes along, he doesn’t really want to go to Everton, then he wants to leave. If Spurs goes for it, then he wants to go there, yes.”

TBR Football understand West Ham have held talks with Ajax about Brobbey – although the deal has stalled after the Eredivisie outfit decided to push for a loan with an obligation to buy instead of an option to buy.

The Netherlands international has scored three goals and provided seven assists in 29 appearances across all competitions so far this season.

TBR Football have been told by sources close to Spurs that Tottenham are yet to open talks with Ajax over Brobbey – who rejoined the Dutch giants after a stint at RB Leipzig for £13.8m back in July 2022.

What Virgil van Dijk has previously said about Brian Brobbey

If Brobbey does join Tottenham, the move would presumably come with Virgil van Dijk’s approval.

The Liverpool No.4 is a big fan of his fellow countryman.

Yang Min-hyeok was one of several exciting youngsters that Tottenham Hotspur were able to sanction a deal for in the summer.

In addition to Min-hyeok, Tottenham also recruited Archie Gray, Wilson Odobert and Lucas Bergvall, a significant investment in the club’s future.

Of course, Ange Postecoglou will currently just be hoping that he’s still manager of Spurs when those players begin to fulfil their potential, an exciting prospect for the club during a difficult period otherwise.

On his part, Min-hyeok arrived at Tottenham officially a few weeks ago, and the 18-year-old has now appeared on the bench for Postecoglou three times, even if he’s yet to play a minute.

Postecoglou has been excited by Min-hyeok, but perhaps didn’t expect to include him so early on, even if an unprecedented amount of injuries at the club has now forced his hand.

Tottenham could send Yang Min-hyeok out on loan after change of plans

That being said, Tottenham journalist Alasdair Gold shared an interesting update on the club’s potential plans for Min-hyeok on his YouTube channel recently.

Gold was discussing the club’s injury crisis and the lack of options available to Postecoglou, before then sharing some insight into a potential change of plan with Min-hyeok.

Gold said: “You’ve got Yang Min-hyeok who’s clearly not seen as an option for now.

“It looks like there’s no even intention to get him near that pitch right now and that speaks volume again about the transfer policy about bringing in players for the future, not the now.

“There’s a decent chance he could end up getting loaned out this January transfer window, just to get him some development opportunity.

“A, if they can get attackers in, and B, if they can you know, choose a place where he’s going to get game time, where he’s going to develop well enough.

“Whether that is lower down the English leagues in the physical nature of it, I don’t know, or wherever it would be somewhere like, I don’t know, like Belgium, the Netherlands, something like that, just to get him some kind of experience of European football I suppose which is going to be different to what he’s used to in the K League.”

Yang Min-hyeok was determined to score his first Tottenham goal this season

Of course, the reason a loan move would represent a change of plan for Min-hyeok is because the youngster seemed pretty set on making minutes for Tottenham this season.

Speaking shortly after arriving in north London, Min-hyeok declared that he was ready to make his Premier League bow straight away, something the club might now disagree with.

Min-hyeok said: “I’d like to get into a match before the season ends, and hopefully score a goal or get an assist.

“Because I am joining the team in midseason, I’ve been focusing on rest and recovery, so that I will stay healthy going forward.

“Personally, I feel that I am ready [for my Premier League debut]. I’ll put on a good performance there and I hope fans will continue to support me.”

When Tottenham Hotspur decided against sacking Ange Postecoglou even a few weeks ago when results were waning, it felt as if Daniel Levy needed to either back his manager or get rid.

Under Postecoglou, Tottenham seem to be in a relentless cycle of injuries destroying any optimism that is fostered as a result of their manager’s forward-thinking football.

Postecoglou has had some brilliant highs in charge of Spurs, but the lows and defeats are now proving pretty deafening in N17.

To stop the sequence of events mentioned, it simply seems as if Tottenham need a bigger squad, as well as addressing any issues that are contributing to so many injuries.

That being said, there are now some murmurings of discontent behind the scenes at Spurs because of the club’s approach to the January transfer window.

Tottenham staff concerned that Ange Postecoglou hasn’t been backed in January

According to the Telegraph, staff at Tottenham are said to be ‘frustrated’ about the lack of outfield signings at the club so far this month.

Postecoglou has publicly appeared quite calm about Spurs’ January business, but the club have only recruited goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky amid their unprecedented injury crisis.

According to the report, staff at Spurs thought more players would have been brought in by now to help Postecoglou, who has only won one game in his last 10 in the Premier League.

As mentioned, Tottenham are continuing to back Postecoglou in terms of keeping his job at the helm of the club, however, the Spurs boss isn’t necessarily receiving the same help when it comes to the transfer market.

TBR Football recently shared that Tottenham are interested in a non-league defender, but he’s not someone who’s going to help the club’s perils immediately.

Who will Tottenham sign before the end of January?

It’s currently believed that Spurs will make at least one more addition to their squad before the end of the month.

Tottenham could sign Barcelona’s Ansu Fati on loan if desired, a player who the Catalan club are desperate to offload this month.

Although a defender has often been considered as the priority signing for Tottenham, both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven should be fit for Spurs very soon.

On the other hand, both Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke are still a little bit further away, perhaps stressing the need for a forward instead.

Ange Postecoglou could soon be sacked by Daniel Levy at Tottenham.

Spurs currently sit 15th in the Premier League after 23 games – having suffered six defeats in the last seven outings under the Australian.

Postecoglou is expected to be given time to turn the situation around, with Tottenham believed to be willing to wait until the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool before making a decision.

Despite that, names of potential replacements are already emerging.

Edin Terzic has been linked to Tottenham as Ange Postecoglou struggles – the German who guided Borussia Dortmund to the UEFA Champions League final last season.

In the meantime – however – a manager Daniel Levy already agreed terms with back in 2021 is no longer an option.

Lyon agree Paulo Fonseca deal

Tottenham actually agreed to hire Paulo Fonseca back in 2021 – before Fabio Paratici arrived and pushed for the arrival of Nuno Espirito Santo instead.

The Portuguese tactician told the Telegraph: “The agreement was done. We were planning the pre-season and Tottenham wanted an offensive coach. It wasn’t announced but we planned pre-season players. Things changed when the new managing director arrived and we didn’t agree with some ideas and he preferred another coach.

“It’s what the chairman (Levy) and the sporting director (Steve Hitchen) asked for, to build a team who can play attractive and offensive football and I was ready for that.”

Levy clearly liked Fonseca – although the man born in Nampula is now on the verge of joining Lyon to replace Pierre Sage, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Therefore, if Levy does hand Postecoglou his P45 in the coming weeks, the 51-year-old he wanted back in 2021 will not be among the options to consider.

Other coaches Tottenham admire amidst Ange Postecoglou struggles

Despite Fonseca being off the table, there are other managers Spurs admire.

Tottenham like Niko Kovac – according to the Daily Mail – the Croatian who has previously managed Bayern Munich.

Tottenham Hotspur may be on the verge of making another managerial change.

Indeed, as Spurs sit 15th in the table having lost six of their last seven league games, they could look to change their manager.

Spurs have chopped and changed their managers a fair bit in recent years as the likes of Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte have all come and gone since the turn of the decade.

When those managers have left Spurs in recent years, the man Tottenham have often turned to is Ryan Mason.

Ryan Mason has been tipped as a future Spurs manager and a lot of Spurs’ players like Mason.

However, there is another member of Tottenham’s backroom staff who could now take the reins if Ange Postecoglou is sacked.

Matt Wells could get interim Tottenham job

Speaking on Last Word on Spurs, Sami Mokbel has shared what he knows about Tottenham’s plans if Ange Postecoglou is sacked.

Postecoglou is safe at the moment, but, recent results are poor, and he could leave before too long.

According to Mokbel, there’s a lot of admiration for Matt Wells at Tottenham and he could be in line to get the caretaker job if Postecoglou does leave.

Wells is highly-rated, and he could be in line to get a chance at senior level soon.

“There is admiration for the way Matt Wells has conducted himself within the backroom, and I think there is plenty of respect for Matt Wells behind the scenes at the club,” Mokbel said.

“Just through a few conversations I have had recently, I think perhaps he would be the one they would look to to fill the void on an interim basis if they were to dispense with Ange Postecoglou, that raises the question of whether Matty Wells, having worked so closely with Postecoglou would want to do that job if Postecoglou was to leave.”

Matt Wells’ record as a manager

This would be an outlandish decision for Tottenham to make. After all, Matt Wells has very little experience as a manager.

Wells has spent most of his career as an assistant coach, currently to Ange Postecoglou and previously to Scott Parker at Fulham, Bournemouth and Club Brugge.

However, Wells has had one managerial job in the past.

Indeed, Wells was the manager of Tottenham’s U18 team at one point, and the 36-year-old’s record when managing the youth side was incredible.

Of course, youth management are senior management are two very different things, but we’ve seen in recent times that many top managers can come up via this route.

Zinedine Zidane cut his teeth as the Real Madrid B team manager, Pep Guardiola had a similar route through Barcelona B, while Kieran McKenna and Thomas Frank were both assistant coaches before becoming full-time managers in the Premier League.

Who knows? Perhaps Wells could be just the change of pace Tottenham need to get back on track.

There are just a few days left in the transfer window, and Tottenham have plenty of work to do.

Tottenham have now lost six of their last seven league games, and, in all honesty, it can’t go on like this for much longer.

Tottenham need help on the transfer front, and they have looked at a few options already this month.

Tottenham have already signed Antonin Kinsky in this window, while Spurs have also looked at a new striker.

Tottenham targeted Randal Kolo Muani earlier in this window, but he’s gone to Juventus instead.

Kolo Muani scored for Juventus on his debut, while Spurs still don’t have a new striker.

Luckily, there are still some options out there for Tottenham, and according to Alasdair Gold, speaking on the Gold and Guest Talk Tottenham Podcast, Spurs do have some interest in Jonathan David.

Tottenham have Jonathan David interest

The journalist shared what he knows about Spurs and their interest in David.

Gold says that Tottenham have looked at David in the past and they retain some interest in the Canadian.

Tottenham have been linked with David before, and they could go back in for the Lille forward.

“Yeah. For me, if you’re looking at a striker, do you just go for Jonathan David at Lille? He’s out of contracts in the summer,” Guest said.

“Just, yeah, it’d be better financially to sign him in the summer when he’s on the free. But you need a striker now. So just get him on the cut price deal.”

“And he can play at wide, can’t he? As well. So I think it’s on the left, maybe,” Gold said.

“I’m trying to remember now when we did all our research on him. Because Spurs have looked at him, he’s a player they’ve got some interest in. And I agree with you.

“If you can get him for a cut price deal now, why are they not going for it? And Leal surely would take some money more than nothing.””

Jonathan David stats this season

Tottenham do retain some interest in David, and this would be a smart signing.

Indeed, David has been brilliant this season once again, he’s been amongst the goals on a regular basis over in France, and he could be just the striker Spurs need.

David is a player who is blessed with plenty of pace too, and that should suit Ange Postecoglou’s style of play to a tee.

Indeed, Postecoglou’s system worked best at Celtic when he had Kyogo Furuhashi leading his line using his pace to stretch defences, and David could bring that to Spurs.

Tottenham are still backing Postecoglou, so if they are to sign a new striker, why wouldn’t they go for an attacker who suits their manager’s style of play?