Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in bringing Ryan Mason back to the club if Igor Tudor is sacked.

The Croatian head coach is under major pressure already in North London following a poor start to his interim reign.

Tudor has lost three straight Premier League matches to Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace, worsening his side's survival chances.

The relegation-fighting Spurs back currently just a single point above 18th-placed West Ham United with nine games remaining.

The Lilywhites take a break from domestic struggles this week as they visit Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Spurs eyeing Mason as Tudor replacement?

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are already eyeing a change in the dugout just three matches into Tudor's stint.

The report states that the former Juventus head coach is under immense pressure to turn things around quickly in North London.

If not, Tudor is believed to be at serious risk of dismissal, with Spurs looking at a familiar face to potentially steer the ship.

It is understood that the Lilywhites could bring former player and interim boss Mason back to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The 43-year-old has taken charge of Spurs on two separate occasions in 2021 and 2023, firstly following the sacking of Jose Mourinho in April 2021.

Mason's managerial experience

Since stepping down as Spurs interim boss in 2023, Mason has since completed a stint as a permanent first-team manager for the first time in his budding career.

The 43-year-old was given the West Bromwich Albion job at the beginning of the 2025-26 Championship campaign.

After struggling to get the Baggies competing near the playoffs, Mason was relieved of his duties in December.

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to achieve a first-time clean sheet feat when they travel to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.

The North Londoners are down in the dumps as they have failed to win any of their 11 Premier League matches in 2026 and are hovering just one point above the relegation zone heading into the final few months of the campaign.

In stark contrast, Spurs secured fourth place in the 36-team League Phase table in the Champions League after accumulating 17 points from eight games (W5 D2 L1).

Prior to the sacking of Thomas Frank, Tottenham won their final three League Phase fixtures against Slavia Prague (3-0), Borussia Dortmund (2-0) and Eintracht Frankfurt (2-0), most recently beating the latter at the end of January.

Spurs head into Tuesday’s clash with Atletico having never previously won four successive games in the European Cup/Champions League, nor have they kept four straight clean sheets before.

Can Spurs achieve clean sheet first in UCL battle with Atletico?

Tottenham will be buoyed by the fact that they have only lost one of their last five Champions League meetings with Spanish opponents (W2 D2), a 4-2 home defeat to Barcelona in the 2018-19 group stage.

However, it is worth noting that Atletico have never lost a Champions League knockout stage match under head coach Diego Simeone at either their former home, the Vicente Calderon (W7 D4), or their current stadium, the Riyadh Air Metropolitano (W6 D2).

The La Liga giants have also advanced from two of their three previous UCL last-16 ties against English teams, beating Liverpool in 2019-20 and Manchester United in 2021-22, losing the other to Chelsea in 2020-21.

Igor Tudor is preparing for his first Champions League game as interim head coach of Spurs and his first match in the competition since losing 1-0 at Real Madrid as Juventus boss in October 2025.

The 47-year-old will be able to use captain Cristian Romero for the first time since his arrival, with the centre-back available to start on Tuesday after serving a four-match domestic suspension.

"He missed a lot. He was also not feeling good to not be able to help the team. Now he's back,” Tudor told reporters at a pre-match press conference on Monday.

Spurs receive Romero, Spence defensive boost before Atletico clash

“He was working these two, three weeks a lot, even with the fitness coach, he did separate running sessions to be in better shape now that he's back. We are happy. I'm sure that tomorrow he'll be a leader like he's always been."

Spurs have also been boosted by the return to fitness of full-back Djed Spence, but January recruit Souza and midfielder Yves Bissouma are both ineligible after being left out of the club’s updated Champions League squad.

“We are happy that Romero is back, Djed is back, Bissouma and Souza are not because of the rules of the Champions League, so the players are coming back, that's important,” said Tudor.

"It's the first time since I'm here and we'll have, let's say, available the players to play in defence, the players who usually play. So, in all three games, we missed the players on their positions, and we missed the players who are usually playing.

“Beautiful game to play tomorrow, a totally different competition than the Premier League. There is a good experience from this season, past games. So, let's see what happens tomorrow."

Linked to Tottenham Hotspur, is Thiago Motta a coherent bet or yet another risk amid the chaos?

The Italian-Brazilian manager's name has emerged as a potential replacement for Igor Tudor, but his playing style raises questions about how quickly he could fit in at Spurs.

Motta's name has been circulating with growing insistence behind the scenes at Tottenham amid the turbulent start to Igor Tudor's tenure. The Croatian manager has lost all three of his matches in charge — all derbies, against Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace — and his future is already being called into question as Spurs battle against relegation in the Premier League, sitting just one point above the drop zone.

While a dismissal is not considered imminent, the British press has already begun identifying potential replacements. Motta features on a list that also includes Sean Dyche, Ryan Mason, Robbie Keane and Roberto De Zerbi.

What makes the situation particularly curious is that last year Tudor took over the very role that Motta had vacated at Juventus — and now the reverse move could materialise in London. Italian outlets including Corriere dello Sport and SportMediaset have also confirmed that the Italian-Brazilian manager is on the English club's radar.

Does Thiago Motta make sense at Tottenham?

Should Tottenham pursue Motta, Juventus would also have reason to view such a development favourably. The manager is still being paid under his contract with the Italian club until June 2027 and continues to weigh on the Old Lady's finances despite his departure.

The cost amounts to around £4.7m gross per season, a figure that rises to approximately £11.5m when the entire backroom staff is taken into account. An agreement with another club would significantly reduce that financial burden.

Motta's potential arrival raises a genuine debate about whether his ideas suit Tottenham's current predicament. The manager rose to prominence primarily through the modern, distinctive work he produced at Bologna — a style built on possession control, constant movement and rational occupation of space. His approach prioritises build-up play from defence, compact lines and versatile players capable of rotating positions during attacking phases.

That kind of philosophy, however, typically demands time — a luxury that is rarely available to clubs battling against the drop.

At a Tottenham side that is living week to week under immense pressure and urgently needs points, implementing a sophisticated footballing model could encounter natural obstacles. Unlike managers known for delivering immediate, pragmatic results, Motta has never built a reputation as a firefighter.

On the other hand, his ability to organise a team and establish a clear tactical identity could represent a genuine break from the instability that has plagued Spurs in recent years.

Tottenham's 2025-26 season so far

In short, any potential marriage between Motta and Tottenham would depend less on the manager's quality — which is well-recognised across European football — and more on context.

Rather than seeking only a short-term fix, the club's board could view Motta as an opportunity for deeper reconstruction — even if the timing, in the midst of a relegation battle, appears risky.

If the club is looking for someone capable of extinguishing fires immediately, his profile may not be the ideal fit. But if the idea is to begin reorganising a sporting project that has lost its way in recent years, the Italian-Brazilian could represent a coherent long-term bet.

If the Premier League campaign gives serious cause for concern, the broader picture of Tottenham's season offers little comfort either. The North London club sit 16th in the table, flirting with the relegation zone as the threat of the drop grows with each passing round. Only one point separates Spurs from the bottom three.

In the domestic cup competitions, the club have also fallen short of expectations. In the FA Cup, Tottenham were eliminated as early as the third round by Aston Villa. In the Carabao Cup, the story was similar — knocked out in the last 16 by Newcastle, ending another opportunity for silverware prematurely.

Curiously, the one bright spot in Tottenham's season has been their European campaign. In the Champions League, the London side accumulated 17 points from eight matches, winning five, drawing two and losing just one, finishing the league phase in fourth place. That performance secured a direct berth in the last 16, where they will face Atletico Madrid.

Tottenham Hotspur interim boss Igor Tudor has admitted the club's Premier League survival fight takes priority over the Champions League.

Spurs have been drawn into a relegation battle, having failed to win any of their last 11 Premier League games since beating Crystal Palace in December.

The team's poor form cost Thomas Frank his job in February, leading to Tudor's appointment on a deal until the end of the season.

Tudor was brought in to spark an immediate upturn in fortunes, which has ultimately failed to materialise.

The former Juventus boss has lost each of his first three matches and has already seen his position come under scrutiny.

Tudor prioritising Premier League relegation battle

Spurs will temporarily put their survival bid on hold to focus on Tuesday's Champions League last-16 clash against Atletico Madrid.

However, Tottenham may have one eye on Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool, with Tudor conceding that the club's relegation battle takes priority over the last-16 tie with Atleti.

"Our first aim is Premier League and this needs to be said publicly," Tudor said ahead of Tuesday's first leg at the Metropolitano.

"That doesn't mean we don't want to go to the next round. Every game is important.

"We have to grow so it can be an opportunity. A totally different competition against a team with Champions League history, experience and quality."

Why UCL can help Spurs' survival fight

Spurs fans enjoyed last season's Europa League triumph, and in normal circumstances, they would love to make a deep run in the Champions League.

However, these are far from normal circumstances, with the north London club languishing in 16th place and just a point above the Premier League relegation zone.

As a result, they need to focus on securing a 49th consecutive season in the top flight, but that does not mean the Champions League is a complete distraction.

Spurs have done their best work this season in UEFA's elite club competiton and a win on Tuesday would represent their first competitive victory since beating Eintracht Frankfurt at the end of the journey.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Igor Tudor has confirmed that Richarlison will return to the starting lineup for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg with Atletico Madrid.

No player in the Spurs squad has scored more goals than the Brazil international in the 2025-26 campaign - nine across all competitions and eight in the Premier League alone.

Richarlison missed a good chunk of football over the winter with a hamstring injury, but he has taken part in each of Spurs' last three Premier League games, scoring a consolation goal in a 2-1 loss to Fulham.

Despite his contribution at Craven Cottage, Richarlison was overlooked for a start in Thursday's 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, as Dominic Solanke, Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel led the line instead.

However, Tudor confirmed at his pre-game press conference that the former Watford and Everton man will make his first start in two months - since January's FA Cup loss to Aston Villa - on Tuesday, simply saying: "He will start tomorrow."

Which Tottenham player should drop out for Richarlison?

Tudor's confirmation that Richarlison will start gives the Croatian a particularly intriguing attacking dilemma after siding with Tel, Kolo Muani and Solanke to spearhead the charge in midweek.

Solanke drew first blood against Palace before Tottenham's implosion, while Tel has been heralded by supporters as one of the few Spurs players showing any fight amid the relegation battle.

As such, Kolo Muani is the standout candidate to be dropped in favour of Richarlison, although Tudor will then also be left with a Xavi Simons-sized dilemma.

Spurs' marquee summer signing was also benched during last week's defeat to Oliver Glasner's side, and Tudor will ostensibly have to also sacrifice either Tel or Solanke if he is to fit Simons and Richarlison in the XI.

The latter is one of 10 players at risk of missing the second leg through suspension, though - fellow striker Kolo Muani is also on that double-figure list.

Tottenham injury doubt shrouded in mystery before Atletico Madrid battle

Tudor also confirmed a double defensive boost for the trip to the Wanda Metropolitano, one of which - Cristian Romero's return from suspension - was already known.

Full-back Djed Spence is also fit and raring to go again following a calf concern, while Radu Dragusin was seen in training on Monday morning at Hotspur Way following a knock.

However, Tudor did not name-check the Romanian when giving his pre-game team news update, so it is still uncertain whether Dragusin will be fit to take part in the first leg.

James Maddison, Destiny Udogie, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert, Lucas Bergvall and Ben Davies remain out, while Souza and Yves Bissouma are ineligible.

Tottenham Hotspur will travel to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 tie against Atletico Madrid, with their season hanging by a thread.

Currently sitting 16th in the Premier League table and perilously close to the relegation zone, their European campaign represents their final beacon of hope to salvage something from an otherwise disastrous 2025-26 season.

The team has suffered five consecutive defeats and gone 11 Premier League games without a win, so Spurs must dig deep to muster any semblance of belief if they are to overcome Atletico in this crucial first leg.

Their problems have been compounded by a mounting injury list, but ahead of the match, Igor Tudor has received a timely double fitness boost, which comes as a huge relief.

Tottenham injury news: Duo set to return?

© Iconsport / SUSA

According to a report from The Standard, Djed Spence has returned to training after missing the last two matches against Fulham and Crystal Palace with a calf injury.

Spurs centre-back Radu Dragusin was also pictured in training at Hotspur Way on Monday morning, and he could be available for selection as well.

Tudor will be delighted to have both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven back for the Champions League clash, with both defenders having trained ahead of the game.

Romero missed Tottenham’s previous four matches due to suspension, while Van de Ven will sit out the upcoming clash against Liverpool this weekend after being sent off against Crystal Palace.

Both centre-backs, however, remain eligible to play in Europe, while their availability represents a major boost for Tudor as he looks to secure his first victory since taking charge.

Tottenham's poor record against Spanish teams

© Imago / DeFodi Images

The north London club are winless in their last six UEFA away matches against Spanish opposition, while Tuesday night’s clash is unlikely to prove any easier.

Although the Rojiblancos have lost ground in the La Liga title race and could be without as many as seven players for this match, Diego Simeone’s side remain a formidable opponent on home soil.

Spurs, however, have kept five clean sheets in their last six matches in the competition, and with several key defenders returning, the spotlight will be on Tudor to see whether he can organise his side for a defensive tactical masterclass.

Tottenham Hotspur will be at risk of suffering a new triple selection blow when they face Atletico Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg.

Igor Tudor's men take a welcome break from their Premier League relegation dogfight to square up to Diego Simeone's side at the Wanda Metropolitano, having defied their domestic difficulties to finish in fourth place in the league phase.

Spurs strode to 2-0 victories over Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt to advance straight to the last 16 of the competition, but the Europa League holders enter the first leg on a dire run of form.

Thursday's 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace marked the Lilywhites' fifth loss on the spin in all competitions, and third in a row under Tudor, whose future is already being called into question after just a few weeks.

The Croatian will nevertheless take charge of Tuesday's first leg at least, but he will continue to work without a surfeit of players in James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Bergvall, Ben Davies, Wilson Odobert, Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur and Destiny Udogie.

Tudor will be boosted by the return of Cristian Romero from suspension, while Djed Spence and Radu Dragusin trained on Monday following knocks, but Spurs could suffer a new triple blow in the Spanish capital.

Tottenham trio walking disciplinary tightrope for Atletico Madrid clash

All of Joao Palhinha, Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani have already been booked twice in the Champions League, and the trio will miss the second leg at home on March 18 if they are cautioned again on Tuesday.

Three bookings is enough to incur a one-match ban in European competition, and yellow cards not resulting in a suspension are not wiped until completion of the quarter-finals.

Should Richarlison and Kolo Muani be ruled out of the second leg, Tottenham at least have Mathys Tel and Dominic Solanke available as cover, while Conor Gallagher and Pape Sarr are all alternatives to Palhinha.

However, only one member of the at-risk trio has been predicted to start the first leg, where no fewer than seven Atletico players will be walking a disciplinary tightrope.

Seven Atletico Madrid players could miss Tottenham second leg

Simeone's side have always had a reputation for playing on the edge, and the hosts have seven players on two yellow cards ahead of the visit of Tottenham.

Thiago Almada, Pablo Barrios, Robin Le Normand, Marc Pubill, Giuliano Simeone, Marcos Llorente and former Tottenham defender Clement Lenglet will all sit out the return fixture if they enter the book on home soil.

In addition, head coach Simeone is at risk of suspension himself having also received two yellow cards in the league phase, during which he was sent off in Atletico's first fixture against Liverpool.

On the playing side alone, a total of 10 players across both teams could miss the second leg due to suspension, although Atletico are certainly at risk of coming off much worse in that regard.

Atletico Madrid will welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Spanish capital on Tuesday night for the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.

The second leg of the European tie will then take place in North London on March 18.

Here, Sports Mole provides details of how to tune into the contest.

What time does Atletico vs. Tottenham kick off?

The Champions League fixture will kick off at 8pm UK time on Tuesday night.

Where is Atletico vs. Tottenham being played?

Atletico will welcome Tottenham to their home ground, Metropolitano Stadium.

The only previous meeting between the two sides came in the final of the 1962-63 Cup Winners' Cup, with Spurs recording a 5-1 win over the Spanish outfit.

How to watch Atletico vs. Tottenham in the UK

TV channels

The Champions League clash will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports 3.

Streaming

Fans can stream this clash live via Discovery+ if they have purchased the TNT Sports package on the platform.

Discovery+ with TNT Sports is also available through the Amazon Prime Video app.

Highlights

Any goals/major incidents will be posted on the FootballOnTNT X account, while highlights will be uploaded to the TNT Sports Football YouTube channel after the match.

Atletico vs. Tottenham: What's the story?

As mentioned, these two sides have only met on one previous occasion, and it will be their first-ever contest in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Tottenham incredibly finished fourth in the Champions League league stage, but it has been a different story in the Premier League, with the North London club fighting relegation.

Spurs, now under the leadership of Igor Tudor, will enter this match off the back of five straight defeats, and they will be tackling an Atletico side that have won four of their last five matches in all competitions.

Atletico were 3-2 winners over Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday, but Tottenham had a free weekend due to their elimination from the FA Cup.

Spurs will know the importance of picking up a positive first-leg result on Tuesday if they are to stand a chance of progressing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Tottenham Hotspur’s first-choice goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, is reportedly considering a return to Italy in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Spurs currently sit 16th in the Premier League table with 29 points from 29 matches, just one point above the relegation zone, and could be dragged into the bottom three unless their results improve dramatically.

If the unthinkable happens and Tottenham suffer relegation, the club could face a mass player exodus, with Vicario potentially among the names expected to depart.

Even if the north London club manage to preserve their top-flight status, the Italian goalkeeper is still believed to be heading towards the exit door.

Broken relationship: Vicario heading for exit?

Vicario has made 113 appearances for Spurs since joining from Empoli and has started all 29 Premier League matches for the club so far this season.

The former Venezia goalkeeper has endured a turbulent campaign in north London and, according to Fabrizio Romano (via Juve FC), his relationship with Tottenham has completely broken down.

Inter Milan are reportedly showing concrete interest in signing the 29-year-old as they search for a replacement for Yann Sommer, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

The Nerazzurri could face strong competition from Serie A rivals Juventus, who are also exploring options to bring in a new goalkeeper this summer.

It has been suggested that Tottenham would be willing to accept a fee between £21.8m and £26.2m for Vicario as they appear resigned to losing him at the end of the season.

Who can replace Guglielmo Vicario at Tottenham?

If Tottenham are relegated, they are likely to rely on internal options, with Antonin Kinsky and Brandon Austin potentially being promoted for regular opportunities.

However, if Spurs manage to avoid relegation, they may look to bring in an experienced Premier League goalkeeper, with Manchester City’s James Trafford emerging as an interesting option.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke is reportedly emerging as a potential transfer target for Newcastle United ahead of the summer transfer window.

The former Liverpool striker joined Spurs in the summer of 2024 and has since made 59 appearances across all competitions, scoring 21 goals.

Solanke has struggled with fitness this season and has made just 14 appearances, scoring five goals, all of which have come since January.

Tottenham currently sit 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above 18th-placed West Ham, and could be dragged into a relegation battle if results do not improve.

Should relegation occur, Spurs could lose several key players, with Solanke potentially being offered an escape route to remain in the Premier League.

Newcastle eye move for Solanke?

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Solanke could be reunited with Eddie Howe, who knows him well from their time working together at Bournemouth.

Newcastle have underperformed this season and could adopt a fresh approach in the summer transfer window with a significant squad overhaul.

Strengthening the attacking department is expected to be a priority for the Magpies, with Will Osula reportedly attracting interest from several clubs, including Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.

Similarly, summer signing Nick Woltemade is also drawing attention from a number of clubs, but regardless of his situation, Newcastle are keen to add another proven striker to their squad.

Will Solanke leave Tottenham?

The futures of several Tottenham players, including Solanke, may depend heavily on where the club finishes at the end of the season.

Having paid £55m to sign the former Chelsea striker, Spurs are reportedly reluctant to sanction Solanke's departure even if they suffer relegation.

However, while Solanke has proven to be an effective goalscorer, his persistent injury issues could encourage Tottenham to consider cashing in should they be relegated to the Championship next season.