Former manager Harry Redknapp has revealed that recently ousted chairman Daniel Levy would have appointed him as Tottenham Hotspur’s interim boss to save their season.

The 77-year-old made the admission on Thursday amid growing speculation that the North London club are preparing to sack current head coach Igor Tudor.

The Croatian tactician only replaced Thomas Frank at the helm in February but has endured a catastrophic start to his tenure.

Record-breaking slump under Tudor

The struggling Lilywhites have lost all four of their matches under their new boss across both domestic and European competitions.

They have conceded a staggering 14 goals during that brief period to leave them hovering just one point above the Premier League relegation zone.

A recent defeat to Atletico Madrid marked their sixth consecutive loss in all competitions, an unwanted first in the club’s long history.

Furthermore, their dismal run of 11 top-flight games without a victory represents their worst ever sequence in the Premier League era.

Surprise phone call from former chairman

Reports suggest that the club’s hierarchy are already exploring options for a second interim appointment following this disastrous sequence of results.

Speaking to Talksport, the experienced English coach claimed he received a surprise telephone call from the former Spurs chief last week.

“I got a phone call last week from Daniel, funnily enough,” Redknapp explained.
“I thought ‘that’s strange’ and I was on the phone to him for about half an hour, chatting to him and he was explaining what happened to him, and how he got marched out of there.”
“And he did say to me ‘If I was there now, and I’m not just saying it, I would bring you back in until the end of the season, Harry’.”

Desperate search for Premier League survival

The veteran manager has publicly stated he would gladly accept the challenge of keeping the struggling side in the division if approached by the current board.

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has also suggested that another immediate change is required to prevent an unthinkable relegation to the Championship.

Tottenham must now decide whether to persist with their struggling firefighter or take another drastic gamble to secure their top-flight status.

Iran’s sports minister has declared the nation cannot participate in the upcoming 2026 World Cup in North America due to escalating military conflict with the United States.

The flagship tournament, hosted jointly by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, faces unprecedented geopolitical disruption ahead of crucial preliminary events.

Global conflicts have cast a severe shadow over the international football competition, with the Middle Eastern nation explicitly citing recent hostilities as a barrier to entry.

“Since this corrupt government assassinated our leader, we have no conditions under which we can participate in the World Cup,” stated Iranian sports minister Ahmad Donyamali.

The government official added that recent military actions taken against his country made their sporting involvement in the host nation impossible.

US political response

The prospect of an Iranian withdrawal has drawn a swift and dismissive reaction from American political figures.

“I really don’t care,” President Donald Trump stated when questioned about the potential absence. “I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”

Despite the definitive rhetoric from global leaders, sporting analysts note the national squad did not withdraw from previous group matches even when their domestic infrastructure was allegedly targeted.

A history of tournament boycotts

Global conflict has heavily impacted the international football calendar on several notable occasions.

The competition was cancelled entirely in 1942 and 1946 due to the Second World War, returning only when Brazil hosted the 1950 edition.

Unilateral boycotts are also well-documented throughout the quadrennial event’s long history.

The entire African continent boycotted the 1966 tournament over qualification disputes, while the Soviet Union famously refused to play Chile in a 1974 playoff fixture.

World football’s governing body, Fifa, is currently preparing an official statement regarding the unfolding geopolitical crisis.

Tottenham Hotspur risk suffering Premier League relegation as interim manager Igor Tudor struggles to correct a disastrous run of form driven by his tactical principles.

The North London club have endured a sharp decline in results since the Croatian took temporary charge of the first team.

BBC football tactics correspondent Umir Irfan has analysed the underlying causes of this slump, highlighting significant structural flaws.

His findings suggest that specific systemic choices by the interim coaching staff are directly contributing to their perilous league position.

Exposing systemic vulnerabilities

The former Marseille boss is renowned for implementing an aggressive, man-to-man defensive structure across the pitch.

However, this demanding system appears fundamentally ill-suited to a squad lacking the necessary confidence for a sudden relegation battle.

Opponents have consistently exploited the vast spaces left behind by an over-committed defence, punishing positional errors with alarming frequency.

A fight for top-flight survival

Tottenham now face immense pressure to secure vital points in their remaining fixtures to avoid a catastrophic drop to the Championship.

Irfan concludes that a pragmatic shift in strategy may be the only viable solution to arrest this alarming slide down the table.

Time is rapidly running out for the coaching setup to abandon their rigid ideals and establish a functional, results-driven balance.

Federico Valverde scored a 23-minute hat-trick as Real Madrid inflicted a bruising 3-0 defeat on Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie.

Pep Guardiola admitted to a costly tactical error after his 50th career meeting with the Spanish giants ended in his heaviest European loss in charge of the English side.

The Catalan coach opted for an ultra-attacking lineup featuring three wingers, leaving his midfield severely exposed.

That bold gamble backfired spectacularly during a disastrous first-half display in the Spanish capital.

Tactical gamble backfires in Madrid

Despite facing an injury-ravaged squad managed by rookie head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, the visitors looked completely overrun in the centre of the pitch.

Youngster Nico O’Reilly was deployed out of position at left-back and struggled to cope with the intensity of the home attack.

These defensive frailties allowed the Uruguayan international to devastatingly punish the visitors with three rapid-fire strikes before the interval.

The traditional European powerhouses have proven to be the ultimate nemesis for the former Bayern Munich boss, having previously eliminated his teams from this competition in 2014, 2022, 2024, and 2025.

Guardiola forced into half-time changes

Recognising the structural flaw, the 53-year-old manager was forced into an embarrassing climbdown at the break.

Brazilian winger Savinho was withdrawn to make way for Tijjani Reijnders in a desperate bid to restore midfield stability.

“We’d put some emphasis on training the long ball from goal kicks.”

Pep Guardiola

However, the tactical shift came too late to salvage the game against a club that historically thrives in Europe’s elite competition.

The comprehensive defeat leaves the Premier League heavyweights facing an almost insurmountable task in the return leg.

Hopes of securing an unprecedented quadruple have now been severely dented by this chastening experience.

Arsenal hold a seven-point lead over Manchester City with fewer than 10 games remaining as the Premier League enters a pivotal stage for the title, European qualification and relegation.

The North London club have played one game more than their closest rivals at the summit.

The Gunners possess a slightly easier remaining schedule on paper, despite a potentially decisive clash awaiting at the Etihad Stadium on 19 April.

Mikel Arteta’s side will play four of their next five domestic fixtures at home against mid-table opposition.

Contrasting schedules for title contenders

The reigning champions must navigate four away trips in their next five outings, including a demanding visit to Chelsea.

Pep Guardiola’s men have amassed 60 points from 29 games, representing one of their lowest tallies at this stage under the Catalan manager.

Statistical analysis reveals that neither title-chasing side has been as dominant in expected goals as previous champions, leaving room for both to slip up.

Historically, the team with the most dominant expected goal difference has secured the league crown in three of the past four seasons.

Champions League qualification scramble

A fifth-place finish is highly likely to secure elite European football next season.

Just three points divide a quartet of heavyweight clubs in a fiercely competitive scramble for the remaining qualification spots.

The West Midlands outfit appear to have the most favourable run, facing four bottom-six teams shortly after a demanding trip to Old Trafford.

However, a recent spate of injuries to key players has derailed their early-season momentum, allowing the chasing pack to close the gap.

Merseyside momentum and relegation realities

The Merseyside club currently sit outside the qualification spots but have a prime opportunity to build rhythm against mid-table opponents.

They will then face a daunting May schedule, playing all three of their direct European rivals in rapid succession.

At the foot of the table, two teams require a sporting miracle to avoid dropping out of the division.

This desperate situation leaves just one relegation spot left to be decided in an increasingly fraught battle for survival.

An unnamed Tottenham Hotspur player has reportedly told his teammates he is unconcerned by the club’s relegation battle because he expects to leave this summer.

The north London club find themselves in a deepening crisis, sitting just one point above the Premier League drop zone.

Spurs remain without a domestic victory in 2026 and face a daunting trip to Liverpool on Sunday.

Interim manager Igor Tudor has endured a disastrous start to his tenure, losing all four of his matches in charge since replacing the dismissed Thomas Frank last month.

Squad divisions and mounting frustration

While several squad members remain committed to preserving Tottenham’s top-flight status, they have reportedly voiced frustration over the poor application of certain colleagues.

According to the Athletic, one individual has privately admitted that the threat of Championship football does not bother him due to a guaranteed upcoming transfer.

This internal apathy compounds a miserable week for the club following a humiliating 5-2 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Senior stars fail to deliver

The team’s established international players have struggled to provide leadership during this turbulent period.

Argentine World Cup winner Cristian Romero has only recently returned from a four-match suspension, while reports in his homeland suggest he has already decided to depart at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, lightning-fast defender Micky van de Ven was fortunate to avoid consecutive red cards in recent fixtures and is reportedly keen to secure a move that guarantees elite European competition.

Goalkeeping crisis deepens

The goalkeeping department has also become a major source of instability for the struggling outfit.

Regular number one Guglielmo Vicario was dramatically dropped by Tudor for the clash in the Spanish capital amid rumours the Italian is desperate for a return to Serie A.

That managerial decision backfired catastrophically when his replacement, Antonin Kinsky, committed two glaring errors and was substituted just 17 minutes into his first Champions League start.

Regardless of which division they compete in next season, a monumental squad overhaul appears inevitable in north London.

Representatives for Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font have held preliminary transfer discussions with Manchester City executives regarding a future move for striker Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian international remains contracted to the reigning Premier League champions until 2034.

However, speculation over the 25-year-old’s long-term future continues to mount amid uncertainty surrounding manager Pep Guardiola’s tenure at the Etihad Stadium.

Election rival plots marquee signing

Font intends to make the prolific goalscorer his primary acquisition if he defeats incumbent president Joan Laporta in Sunday’s election.

Delegates from Font’s camp reportedly met with City chief executive Ferran Soriano and sporting director Hugo Viana in Madrid on Wednesday.

The two parties are understood to have discussed a clause that would grant the Catalan giants a preferential option to buy the former Borussia Dortmund frontman.

These high-level negotiations took place shortly before City suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat against Real Madrid in their Champions League last-16 first leg.

Financial hurdles and attacking alternatives

Securing a deal for the highly sought-after marksman would prove complex given Barcelona’s well-documented economic constraints.

The La Liga outfit are currently managing a rigid wage structure while simultaneously funding a £1.25bn renovation of their iconic Nou Camp stadium.

Despite these fiscal challenges, current board member Joan Soler recently insisted the club possesses the capability to pursue elite global talent.

“Yes, we could sign players like Julian Alvarez or Erling Haaland. These transfers will pay for themselves within five years, and Barcelona’s finances are ready for it.”

Soler added that the Spanish heavyweights must still remain careful about future commitments regarding their strict wage limits.

The club is actively assessing its forward options with veteran striker Robert Lewandowski approaching the end of his current contract in June.

Despite the Polish international’s advancing years, Laporta has publicly indicated his desire to retain the 37-year-old for a further season.

David Moyes will look to derail Arsenal’s Premier League title charge on Saturday as his resurgent Everton side take their formidable away record to Emirates Stadium.

The Toffees have won more matches on the road than any top-flight team except their upcoming opponents since the 62-year-old returned to Merseyside 14 months ago.

They remain unbeaten away from home since mid-December.

The squad travels to north London boasting a phenomenal record of four victories in their past five away fixtures.

Chasing European qualification

This remarkable transformation on their travels has lifted the club to eighth in the Premier League table.

They now sit just five points adrift of fifth place and potential Champions League qualification.

Securing European football would complete a monumental turnaround for a team recently plagued by points deductions and relegation fears.

While the new Hill Dickinson Stadium is built for grand European nights, it is their resilience outside of Liverpool that has propelled this sudden climb.

Conquering the toughest grounds

The Scottish manager has masterminded victories at some of the most intimidating venues in English football this season.

His squad secured a rare 1-0 triumph against Manchester United at Old Trafford in November despite a red card for Idrissa Gueye.

They followed that up in January by halting Aston Villa’s 11-match home winning streak across all competitions.

A recent away victory at Newcastle United further cemented their reputation as fearless travellers.

Blowing the title race wide open

A shock victory for the visitors this weekend could have massive implications for the championship battle.

Manchester City could close the gap on the league leaders to just four points if they beat West Ham United on Saturday night.

Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman insists all the pressure rests squarely on the table-toppers.

“I think in the past, you go there and you’re a little bit worried and hope you might be able to get a result,” Osman said.

“This year it’s a bit different.”

“You’re going to the team seven points clear at the top of the table but I think it’s Arsenal that’ll be more worried.”

“I think they will be nervous going to this game knowing that they have to keep on winning all of the games and realising that this isn’t a pushover.”