Former England striker Gary Lineker has urged struggling Tottenham Hotspur to replace caretaker manager Igor Tudor with former boss Harry Redknapp to avoid Premier League relegation.

Spurs are currently just one point above the drop zone following a disastrous run of domestic form.

The north London club have lost three consecutive matches since the Croatian coach replaced Thomas Frank last month.

Their latest defeat came at home to Crystal Palace on Thursday, where a dramatic late collapse saw them concede three goals in 10 minutes.

A crisis of confidence

The capitulation against the Eagles was compounded by a red card for stand-in captain Micky van de Ven.

Reports suggest the dressing room is fractured, with Sky Sports claiming players are seething about the current situation behind the scenes.

Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Lineker insisted a radical change is necessary before a daunting trip to Liverpool this weekend.

‘A big personality’

The Match of the Day presenter believes bringing back a familiar face could provide the psychological boost required to secure top-flight survival.

Lineker stated that a bold appointment is needed to immediately lift the toxic atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“Honestly, I don’t think it would be a bad idea to bring someone like Harry Redknapp in,” said Lineker.
“I know it sounds a bit mad and he’s been out of the game for a while, but you know what he’s like, that big personality, lifting everybody in a moment of crisis.”

The case for a veteran return

The 77-year-old has been absent from professional management since leaving Birmingham City in 2017.

However, his reputation as an elite man-manager makes him an intriguing short-term option for a squad severely lacking belief.

With only nine games remaining to preserve their Premier League status, the Spurs hierarchy faces a defining decision.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are targeting an unprecedented escape from Premier League relegation after securing consecutive victories to narrow the gap to safety to 12 points.

The Molineux outfit currently sit at the bottom of the table and must make top-flight history to retain their eight-year status.

Despite impressive recent league wins against Aston Villa and Liverpool, they remain significantly adrift with a vastly inferior goal difference.

According to Opta, the West Midlands club still face a 99.9% probability of dropping into the Championship at the end of the season.

A statistical mountain to climb

No team in the Premier League era has ever recovered from such a significant deficit at this advanced stage of the campaign.

West Ham United previously set the benchmark in the 2007-08 season when they survived after being eight points from safety after 30 matches.

Leicester City famously provided another blueprint in 2014-15 by winning seven of their final nine fixtures to escape the drop zone.

To simply draw level with Nottingham Forest and West Ham in 17th and 18th place, the strugglers require a minimum of four victories while hoping their rivals fail to register a single point.

Edwards sparks Molineux revival

Manager Rob Edwards has undeniably injected fresh belief into the squad since replacing Vitor Pereira in November.

Following a difficult start of eight consecutive defeats, the former Middlesbrough boss has guided his team to 13 points in their last 12 league outings.

This recent points tally matches the return of top-half teams like Brighton and Newcastle United over the exact same period.

A dramatic improvement in work rate has underpinned this revival, with the team collectively running an average of 7.8 kilometres more per match.

Building crucial momentum

The physical transformation was evident when they outran Arsenal during a spirited 2-2 draw, covering over 114,000 metres collectively.

Defensive solidity has also improved, highlighted by restricting a misfiring Liverpool attack to just 0.62 expected goals during Tuesday’s 2-1 triumph.

Although the Reds quickly gained revenge with a 3-1 FA Cup victory on Friday, the domestic league focus remains absolute.

Another vital victory against Brentford next Monday would provide essential momentum as they attempt the impossible.

Liverpool forwards Federico Chiesa and Trey Nyoni were absent from Monday morning’s training session ahead of Tuesday’s crucial Champions League fixture against Galatasaray.

The Italian winger and the teenage midfielder were notable absentees as manager Arne Slot finalised his tactical preparations for the European tie.

Both players were recently involved in the matchday squad for Friday night’s FA Cup encounter against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

During that domestic cup fixture, the 17-year-old academy prospect made a second-half appearance from the substitutes’ bench.

Nyoni absence explained as Chiesa omission remains unclear

Nyoni’s omission from the senior session is understood to be a routine recovery measure after he featured for the Under-21 side on Sunday.

However, the precise reason behind the former Juventus attacker’s failure to participate at the training ground remains unspecified.

Slot will now likely have to formulate his attacking strategy without the services of the summer signing.

Crucial European points on the line

The Merseyside club face the Turkish giants aiming to secure another vital victory in the league phase of the continental competition.

Managing squad rotation and minor knocks continues to be a delicate balancing act for the Dutch head coach during a severely congested winter schedule.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is intensifying his training to regain pace ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 trip to Real Madrid.

The Norwegian forward was omitted from the squad that secured an FA Cup fifth-round victory at Newcastle United on Saturday.

Manager Pep Guardiola opted to rest his star attacker following a recent knock that also forced him to miss a Premier League win at Leeds United.

Instead of travelling to St James’ Park, the former Borussia Dortmund man spent the weekend focusing on tailored fitness work.

Guardiola prioritises match rhythm

The City boss believes dedicated training sessions are currently more beneficial for the prolific goalscorer than limited match minutes.

“I didn’t think to let him play and I prefer him training to make a rhythm,” said Guardiola.

“After injury, when he drops, he always struggles a little bit to have that real, real pace.”

The Catalan manager heavily rotated his side against Newcastle, leaving crucial figures like Rodri, Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva as unused substitutes.

Defensive injury concerns linger

The reigning European champions will travel to the Bernabeu for the first leg of their crucial knockout tie without several defensive options.

Versatile teenager Rico Lewis is nearing a return from a swollen ankle but the midweek clash in Spain arrives too soon.

Guardiola also provided updates on long-term absentees Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol as the business end of the season approaches.

Kovacic returns to training

Croatian midfielder Kovacic has been restricted to just two appearances this campaign due to a persistent ankle issue.

“Great news, finally he’s back training for the last three or four training sessions,” Guardiola added.

However, the manager cautioned that the former Chelsea playmaker still requires time to rebuild his match conditioning.

Fellow international Gvardiol faces a more extended spell in the treatment room after sustaining a broken leg in January.

“There’s a bit longer still,” the City manager admitted regarding the centre-back.

“I hope so [he’ll return] but I don’t know when.”

Six English clubs will continue their Champions League campaigns this week across TNT Sports and Prime Video as the knockout stages begin.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur all feature in the round of 16.

The knockout phase commences on Tuesday with Liverpool visiting Turkey to play Galatasaray.

Meanwhile, Spurs travel to Spain to face Atlético Madrid despite hovering just one point above the Premier League relegation zone.

Newcastle face Barcelona test

Newcastle United host Spanish giants Barcelona in the most highly anticipated Tuesday evening fixture.

Eddie Howe’s side secured their progression by comfortably dispatching Qarabag 9-3 on aggregate in the play-off round.

Amazon Prime Video exclusively holds the broadcasting rights for the Magpies’ crucial first-leg encounter.

This allows supporters to stream the match for free using an active Amazon Prime subscription or trial.

Arsenal and City face away trips

Arsenal resume their European journey on Wednesday following an exceptional group stage performance.

The Gunners finished top of the league phase to end three points clear of German powerhouses Bayern Munich.

Mikel Arteta’s squad now travel to Germany to take on Bayer Leverkusen.

Manchester City also face a challenging away tie against European specialists Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Elsewhere, Chelsea visit the French capital to challenge Paris St-Germain.

Complete television schedule

The remaining matches across the two days will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports.

Here are the confirmed television details for the upcoming Champions League fixtures.

Former Barcelona manager Xavi has accused club president Joan Laporta of deliberately vetoing a proposed return for Lionel Messi in 2023 despite securing financial approval from La Liga.

The revelation comes during an explosive interview with La Vanguardia just a week before the Catalan club’s presidential elections are scheduled to take place.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner famously left Camp Nou in 2021 amid severe financial difficulties, spending two unhappy seasons at Paris St-Germain before ultimately joining Inter Miami.

‘Laporta threw everything out’

Rumours of a romantic return to Spain heavily circulated following the Argentine’s triumphant World Cup campaign in Qatar.

Discussions between the coaching staff and the player’s camp apparently progressed seamlessly for several months during early 2023.

However, the legendary Spanish midfielder alleges that the highly anticipated transfer collapsed entirely due to executive interference.

“The president started negotiating the contract with Leo’s father, and we had La Liga’s approval, but it was the president who threw everything out.”

Fears of a ‘war’ and damaged relationships

According to the 44-year-old tactician, the club hierarchy feared the unparalleled influence the forward would wield upon his homecoming.

“Laporta told me, and I quote, that if Leo came back, he was going to wage war against him and that he couldn’t allow it.”

Following this private declaration, communication between the recruitment team and the player’s representatives abruptly ceased.

The South American icon reportedly stopped answering calls from his former team-mate after being informed by executives that the transfer was unfeasible.

This sudden breakdown in communication temporarily fractured the bond between two of Barcelona’s most celebrated figures.

“It affected my relationship with Leo a lot, but now it’s good again because he understands it now,” added Xavi.

Jose Mourinho was sent off during Benfica’s 2-2 draw with former club Porto on Sunday following a touchline altercation where he was allegedly branded a “traitor” by an opposing coach.

The Portuguese manager was shown a red card in the second half after match officials deemed he had intentionally kicked a ball towards the away bench.

However, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss was left furious with Porto assistant Lucho Gonzalez, who he claims repeatedly insulted him in the tunnel.

Mourinho famously led Porto to Champions League glory in 2004 but now finds himself managing their fierce domestic rivals.

‘A traitor to what?’

The veteran tactician was eager to defend his professionalism following the fiery encounter at the Estadio da Luz.

“The FC Porto bench person who was also sent off called me a traitor 50 times in the tunnel,” Mourinho stated post-match.

“I’d like him to explain: traitor to what?”

The two-time European Cup winner emphasised that his commitment to his current employers is absolute, regardless of his historic ties to the opposition.

“I was at FC Porto, I gave my soul to FC Porto,” he added.

“I went to Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid, Fenerbahce, I turned things around; I gave my all to the world, my soul, my life every day.”

Late comeback and red card dispute

The home side scored twice in the final 20 minutes to salvage a crucial point, with Leandro Barreiro netting the dramatic equaliser.

Despite remaining unbeaten this calendar year, Benfica still trail league leaders Porto by seven points in the race for the Portuguese title.

Gonzalez, who spent six years at Porto as a player across two spells, now serves as an assistant for the current league pacesetters.

Regarding his dismissal, the outspoken manager insisted he was innocent and placed the blame firmly on the officiating team.

“The referee says he sent me off because I kicked a ball towards the FC Porto bench, which is completely false,” he claimed.

He explained that his intended target was the crowd, describing it as a celebration he frequently performs to give a lucky fan a match ball.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will be on the touchline for the League Cup final against Arsenal on 22 March despite incurring an automatic suspension for his sixth yellow card of the season.

The City manager received his latest booking during a 3-1 Premier League victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday.

Under standard regulations, technical area occupants are handed a two-match touchline ban upon reaching six disciplinary cautions.

FA exemption explains Wembley reprieve

Specific Football Association guidelines state that major domestic finals are explicitly exempt from automatic accumulation suspensions.

This regulatory loophole guarantees Mikel Arteta will face his former mentor in the Wembley dugouts next month.

The north London outfit are currently navigating a chaotic and season-defining schedule across multiple elite competitions.

The Premier League leaders travel to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Crucial weeks await title contenders

They have also secured an FA Cup quarter-final berth following a narrow fifth-round victory over Mansfield Town.

Meanwhile, the reigning champions’ boss earned his recent caution after protesting a perceived foul by Kieran Trippier on winger Jeremy Doku.

He will still be required to serve his domestic suspension during an upcoming league fixture against West Ham.

The serial winner has chosen to take a highly sarcastic view of his growing disciplinary record.

I will tell you something – we have all the records in this country, all of them, despite everything.

We have the record of the manager with the most yellow cards. I want all records.

Pep Guardiola