Tottenham Hotspur are set to seek a new manager this summer as the club looks to replace Igor Tudor and Thomas Frank. While fans may be tempted to revive a reunion with Mauricio Pochettino, club officials Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham are advised to evaluate a range of qualified candidates for a role that has become increasingly challenging. Spurs have a storied history of employing high-profile managers, including legends like Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho. This has fueled fan frustration over Pochettino’s dismissal years ago, with many arguing that his departure was premature. Now, as the club prepares for the 2026/27 season, a new name has emerged in the managerial market. Ernesto Valverde, via Fabrizio Romano, is set to leave Athletic Club at the end of the 2025/26 season, marking the end of his successful tenure at the Basque club. Valverde’s departure is not without context. Both he and Athletic have faced disappointment this season, though the manager’s performance is not the primary issue. Key players like Nico Williams have underperformed, prompting calls for fresh ideas. Valverde, however, has a proven track record in Spanish football. He previously managed Barcelona, where his achievements included two La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey win, despite facing criticism from some fans. His recent success with Athletic, including a Copa del Rey victory in his second stint, underscores his ability to deliver results. Valverde’s decision to step down voluntarily highlights his professionalism. While transitioning from La Liga to the English Premier League may seem daunting, his experience and accomplishments make him a compelling candidate for Spurs. Compared to current managers like Ange Postecoglou, Nuno Espirito Santo, Thomas Frank, and Igor Tudor, Valverde’s credentials stand out.#athletic_club #ernesto_valverde #tottenham_hotspur #igor_tudor #thomas_frank
Tottenham vs Atlético de Madrid: previa, predicciones y alineaciones El primer partido de la serie de octavos de final de la Champions League entre Tottenham y Atlético de Madrid terminó con una derrota abrumadora para los Spurs. El joven arquero Antonin Kinsky, debutante en un duelo eliminatorio, cometió dos errores graves que permitieron a los visitantes marcar dos goles en apenas 17 minutos. La decisión del entrenador Igor Tudor de sustituirlo fue motivada por protegerlo más que por castigarlo, pero su reemplazo, Guglielmo Vicario, no logró revertir el resultado. El partido finalizó 5-2 a favor del Atlético, consolidando su ventaja en la serie. Los Spurs, que buscan una remontada similar a la del Sporting CP frente al Bodo Glimt, enfrentan un desafío enorme. La necesidad de dejar todo en el campo desde el inicio es clara, pero el estado físico de la plantilla y las bajas significativas complican la tarea. Con 12 jugadores lesionados, incluyendo a figuras clave como James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski y Cristian Romero, el equipo se ve obligado a depender de rotaciones y jugadores menos experimentados. La presión de la Champions, combinada con la incertidumbre en la Premier League, exige un rendimiento extremo. Por su parte, el Atlético de Madrid llega con confianza y una ventaja que le permite jugar con calma. La victoria en la ida le otorga un margen de error, aunque el partido de vuelta en Londres será crucial. El equipo español, liderado por Antoine Griezmann y Julián Álvarez, ha mostrado una buena dinámica ofensiva en sus últimas jornadas, lo que le da ventaja para aprovechar cualquier error de los locales. Sin embargo, la experiencia de Diego Simeone en series eliminatorias sugiere que el Atlético no descuidará su preparación.#atltico_de_madrid #tottenham #antonin_kinsky #igor_tudor #guglielmo_vicario
Conor Gallagher faces uncertainty ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s crucial Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid as interim head coach Igor Tudor provided an update on the club’s fitness situation. The England international, who joined from Atletico in a £35 million transfer in January, is a major doubt for the round-of-16 second leg due to respiratory issues and a viral infection. Tudor confirmed Gallagher’s absence from training and the squad during the weekend draw against Liverpool, stating the midfielder is “not able to play” despite being a “major part of the team.” The 26-year-old’s condition, described as “asthma problems” and a virus causing “not nice things,” remains a concern as Tottenham look to overturn a 5-2 aggregate deficit. Tudor emphasized that Gallagher’s availability will be determined on the day of the match, with the coach expressing cautious optimism about his potential return to the bench. However, the midfielder’s absence adds to the challenges Tottenham face, as they must navigate a difficult away leg against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. The team’s recent form under Tudor has been inconsistent, with four losses and one draw in their last five matches, though they earned a point against Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday. Despite Gallagher’s struggles, Tudor offered positive news on other key players. Swedish teenager Lucas Bergvall, who had been sidelined since joining Tottenham, has returned to full training two months earlier than expected. The 19-year-old is set to feature on the bench alongside Destiny Udogie, who has recovered from a hamstring injury. Club captain Cristian Romero, who missed the first leg after a head collision, is also available following concussion protocols.#atletico_madrid #diego_simeone #tottenham_hotspur #igor_tudor #conor_gallagher
Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid preview: Key stats and player info Tottenham Hotspur faces a daunting challenge as they prepare to take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League knockout round. The Spurs squad, still reeling from a heavy 3-0 defeat in Madrid last week, must overcome a three-goal deficit to keep their hopes alive. However, their recent form has been dismal, with the team remaining winless in their past eight matches—five of which occurred under new manager Igor Tudor. In contrast, Atletico Madrid has dominated their recent fixtures, securing six wins in their last seven games, though they currently sit third in La Liga. The Spanish side is aiming to reach their first Champions League final since the 2015-16 campaign, when they lost the decisive match to their city rivals Real Madrid for the second time in three seasons. This match represents a crucial step toward their goal, but the odds are stacked against them. Statistically, only four teams out of 51 have managed to lose a Champions League knockout tie after leading by three or more goals in the first leg. This historical context underscores the difficulty of Tottenham’s task. Atletico Madrid’s attacking threat is highlighted by the performance of Julian Alvarez, the team’s standout player. The versatile forward, who is joint-fourth in the competition’s scoring charts with seven goals and three assists, delivered a standout display in the first leg with a double. Alvarez, a 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina, also has Champions League experience, having been part of Manchester City’s historic Treble-winning squad in 2022-23. His ability to adapt to different roles makes him a key asset for Atletico. Another critical figure in Atletico’s lineup is Marcos Llorente, a Spain international known for his versatility.#atletico_madrid #tottenham_hotspur #igor_tudor #julian_alvarez #marcos_llorente
Champions League: Ruthless Atletico punish Tottenham errors in 5-2 rout Atletico Madrid delivered a dominant performance against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League last-16 first leg, securing a 5-2 victory at the Metropolitano Stadium on March 11, 2026. The Spanish side capitalized on Tottenham’s defensive mistakes, particularly from goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who made critical errors that led to Atletico’s first three goals. Kinsky, making his first appearance since October, was substituted in the 17th minute after a string of costly blunders. The match began with Atletico taking control within minutes. In the sixth minute, Kinsky slipped while attempting to play out from the back, allowing Julian Alvarez to collect the ball and square it to Marcos Llorente, who finished with a well-placed shot. Eight minutes later, defender Micky van de Ven lost his footing while trying to control a routine pass, leaving Antoine Griezmann unmarked to score. A minute later, Kinsky miscued a clearance, enabling Alvarez to stroll into an empty net, marking the earliest a team has gone three goals up in a Champions League knockout match. Manager Igor Tudor replaced Kinsky with Guglielmo Vicario, but Atletico continued their onslaught. Robin Le Normand headed in a rebound from Griezmann’s free kick for the fourth goal. Tottenham’s Pedro Porro reduced the deficit in the 26th minute with a strike from the right flank. However, Atletico extended their lead in the 55th minute when Alvarez scored his second goal, racing from his own half to finish past Vicario. Tottenham’s hopes of a comeback were dashed as Atletico’s defense remained resolute. In the 76th minute, Jan Oblak miscontrolled the ball while playing out from the back, allowing Dominic Solanke to score for Spurs, but the deficit remained insurmountable.#atletico_madrid #diego_simeone #tottenham_hotspur #antonin_kinsky #igor_tudor
Antonin Kinsky: Spurs Goalkeeper Grateful for Support After 'Nightmare' at Atletico Madrid in Champions League Antonin Kinsky, the 22-year-old Czech goalkeeper who joined Tottenham Hotspur from Slavia Prague in January 2025, expressed gratitude for the messages of support he received on social media following a disastrous performance in Tottenham’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. The first-leg encounter of their last-16 tie ended in a 5-2 defeat for the Premier League side, with Kinsky’s early exit from the game marking a pivotal moment in the match. Kinsky was substituted after just 17 minutes, as Tottenham trailed 3-0 in Madrid. The decision came after a string of errors from the goalkeeper, which contributed to Atletico’s first and third goals. The Czech international’s performance was described as a “nightmare” by fans and analysts, with his mistakes seemingly accelerating the team’s collapse. Kinsky’s Instagram post following the match included a message thanking supporters, reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster of the night: “Thanks for the messages. From dream to nightmare to dream again. See you.” Teammates offered comfort to Kinsky as he left the field, though the substitution sparked debate among fans and pundits. Manager Igor Tudor, who had chosen Kinsky to start ahead of Guglielmo Vicario, did not publicly acknowledge the decision at the time but later explained it in his post-match media conference. Tudor emphasized that the substitution was necessary to protect both the player and the team, citing the pressure on Vicario in a high-stakes competition. “It was the right choice at the moment we were in,” Tudor said. “These mistakes happened in this big game, but Toni is a very good goalkeeper.#atletico_madrid #tottenham_hotspur #antonin_kinsky #igor_tudor #david_james
Jones Knows Predicts Tottenham vs Crystal Palace Match with Focus on Fouls Tottenham Hotspur’s new manager, Igor Tudor, is shaping his team’s approach around high-intensity, aggressive play, a style that has defined his previous stints at Lazio and Juventus. This strategy has already led to an increase in fouls per 90 minutes for Spurs, with the team committing 31 fouls across their first two matches under Tudor’s guidance. The manager’s emphasis on pressing and defensive intensity has created a challenging environment for players, particularly in the absence of suspended captain Cristian Romero. Radu Dragusin, who has stepped into Romero’s role, has been a key figure in Spurs’ recent fouls. In his last three appearances, Dragusin has drawn seven yellow cards, reflecting his tendency to engage in risky challenges. His aggressive style has raised concerns, especially in critical moments where composure is needed. Tudor’s system, which prioritizes physicality and high pressing, appears to be pushing Dragusin into frequent fouls, despite the potential consequences. Analysts suggest that Dragusin’s role in the team’s defensive setup makes him a likely candidate for further disciplinary issues. With Spurs facing Crystal Palace in a crucial match, the likelihood of Dragusin accumulating multiple fouls remains high. Bookmakers have priced the +2 fouls bet at 7/2 with Sky Bet, a line that some believe underestimates the frequency of Dragusin’s challenges under Tudor’s system. Jones Knows, a football betting expert, has tipped four winners from four bets in recent weeks, and his focus for this match centers on Dragusin’s potential fouls. The expert’s score prediction for the Tottenham vs Crystal Palace clash is a 1-1 draw, with the +2 fouls bet on Dragusin positioned as his best recommendation.#tottenham_hotspur #crystal_palace #igor_tudor #radu_dragusin #jones_knows
