Premier League
Tottenham’s hierarchy to review Thomas Frank after West Ham defeat as manager pushes back
Reports say Frank’s job is under review after West Ham defeat; he insists he can turn things around.
Multiple reports claim Thomas Frank faces an uncertain future at Tottenham Hotspur after Saturday’s defeat to West Ham United, but the manager remains convinced he can reverse the club’s form if given time.
Reports from The Times and BBC Sport both state that Frank’s position will be considered by Tottenham’s hierarchy. The former Brentford boss acknowledged the pressure that accompanies poor results and accepted responsibility in the immediate aftermath.
“Of course, I probably have had better times. I understand—I’m the man in charge, so the blame will go to me. That’s fair, no problem in that sense,” Frank said postmatch.
He expanded on the challenge in his post-match news conference, placing equal weight on results and the effort he sees from his squad.
“If you’re not winning enough, we know you will not get enough support from the fans. But when we’re winning, it will change, when we start winning again. Which we will do. I’m not in doubt of that.
“I think also you can look a little bit at the performances. Let’s say the Bournemouth and the Villa and this game here, if the players stop running, or stop doing anything, or not working hard, and we are not the team that’s closest to winning, then you can say O.K. But I think the team is working very hard. And I still think, and I know it sounds a little bit crazy, that we are close to something very good, than further away.”
Supporter frustration and doubts over the club’s direction were addressed before kick-off by chief executive officer Vinai Venkatesham in the matchday programme. The former Arsenal chief acknowledged shortcomings while signalling that changes are being made behind the scenes and that the club has carried out a thorough review.
“Our focus is sporting success, and in that we share the same ambition as our supporters,” he penned. “We know that words carry little weight without action, which is why recent months have been spent undertaking a thorough review of our operations. Opportunities for a genuine reset are rare in clubs of our size and we have been determined not to waste this moment as we make the changes needed behind the scenes to compete consistently at the highest level.
“Football has changed significantly in recent years and, while the club has evolved and achieved incredible things, we recognise that in some key areas we have not always kept pace. We all feel the gap between where we are and where we want to be and, while we know progress takes time, we share your impatience to close it.
“Our supporters want wins and performances to be proud of and we know the men’s first team has fallen short of where we want to be so far this season. Significant work is underway and I wanted to set out the key areas of focus.”
Frank pointed to the culture he built at Brentford as evidence of what sustained work can produce and noted that those foundations helped Keith Andrews guide the Bees to a strong first half of the season. He closed by underlining his belief in the commitment of his players.
“I hope the players are playing for the club, the team, each other, the fans, me, the staff, ownership, everything. They play for their families. That’s what I hope.”
Man Utd
United’s midfield rebuild takes another turn as Éderson stays put
United’s pursuit of Éderson has stalled after Atalanta extended his deal and raised his value.
Manchester United’s plans to bring in Éderson appear to have moved out of reach after the midfielder signed a contract extension with Atalanta.
United had already worked towards a deal worth £35 million ($47 million), with nominal add-ons helping to lift the package, but the move never reached completion. The transfer was first delayed when Éderson was called into Brazil’s World Cup squad as a late injury replacement. By the time United returned to the situation, a reported knee concern had given them pause.
That uncertainty opened the door to other targets. Alternative moves for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans followed, with each offering a different profile in midfield. Even so, Éderson had remained a possible option as United continued to work through the market. His new agreement with Atalanta has now closed that route and, at the same time, increased his valuation.
Atalanta have not confirmed the length of the deal, but the extension removes any suggestion that Éderson was available as a straightforward deal. For United, the picture is still unfinished. Their midfield rebuild remains in progress and is unlikely to be complete until a destructive, engine-type player arrives to sit alongside the more ball-oriented qualities already present in Tielemans, Santos and Kobbie Mainoo.
With Éderson now tied down, United still need a Casemiro-esque presence to bring greater balance. Casemiro was released at the end of his contract around three weeks ago, while Manuel Ugarte is ruled out long term. That leaves the club still searching for the right kind of midfield anchor to steady the group.
Chelsea
Alonso cites timing in choosing Chelsea as rebuild begins
Alonso says timing decided his Chelsea move; he plans a rebuild, wants the best from Cole Palmer. Too
Xabi Alonso has framed his decision to take charge of Chelsea ahead of the 2026/27 season as a matter of opportunity and timing. “Well, it is about timings,” he told BBC Sport. The 44-year-old signed a four-year deal at Stamford Bridge while Arne Slot remained in charge at Liverpool.
At the time Chelsea secured Alonso, Liverpool appeared to be sticking with Slot despite what the club considered a horrid sophomore stint in the dugout, leaving Chelsea with no immediate competition for his signature. Weeks after Alonso’s arrival, Liverpool sacked Slot and appointed Andoni Iraola.
Alonso turned his attention to the work awaiting him at Chelsea following a disappointing 2025–26 campaign. The club went from winning the Club World Cup last summer to finishing 10th in the Premier League and failing to qualify for European competition. Chelsea’s season ended with a 1–0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup final under interim boss Calum McFarlane, who had taken over after Rosenior lost his job at the end of April. The former Strasburg manager lasted less than four months in charge after signing a six-and-a-half-year contract in January. Before Rosenior, Enzo Maresca saw his tenure implode after a falling out with the club’s hierarchy.
Alonso becomes the sixth permanent manager in four years under BlueCo. He expressed confidence in working with the club’s decision makers and in the squad’s potential. “I am looking forward to this challenge, a big challenge, and Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs and I am looking forward to having success here,” he said.
“What I like is that we work together and we are all part of the decisions we take, we all feel responsible for that,” Alonso said. “We are confident that we are doing the right things in the right way. The potential is there. I think there is a strong base and a good team already there.
“We need to reinforce it in the right way and take good decisions to do that. The feeling is that we are aligned with the sporting directors. The ultimate goal is to have a good team, build the right squad and we are in that moment.”
On Cole Palmer, Alonso added: “So far we have been together for a few days and he has come in with a positive mindset and positive spirit. He wants to enjoy playing football.”
Arsenal
Valdepeñas Set to Join Fiorentina as Real Madrid Retain Significant Future Rights
Valdepeñas joins Fiorentina; Real Madrid keep 50% sell-on and future control over transfers. reports
Real Madrid have agreed the sale of young defender Víctor Valdepeñas to Fiorentina for around €8 million. Fabrizo Romano reports that Valdepeñas has signed a contract with Fiorentina until 2031, while Real Madrid “maintain 50% sell-on clause and future control in case of any bids.”
The move ends a transfer saga that included reported interest from Premier League winners Arsenal, as well as links to AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund. Spanish reports in February indicated Arsenal held strong interest in the left-footed defender, who is versatile enough to play centrally, at left back or even in midfield.
AS offered a detailed scouting note on the teenager: “His aerial ability (courtesy of his 1.88m height) stands out, and thanks to his imposing physique, he’s a good winner of duels, allowing the defense to push high up the pitch, to press as high as possible and pin opponents back. A 19-year-old Swiss Army knife who fits right in at London. And anywhere else.”
Valdepeñas’s transfer to Fiorentina is the latest example of Real Madrid monetizing their academy pipeline while retaining economic rights. Los Blancos have increasingly structured deals to preserve upside for future bids on players they judge not ready for the first team.
Although full terms have not been publicly disclosed beyond the reported sell-on and control provisions, the club’s recent activity illustrates the approach. The summer included complex arrangements such as the sale of Nico Paz’s rights to Como for €60 million, with a reported buyback clause of €80 million. Madrid are also said to have received around €20 million from Víctor Muñoz’s sale from Osasuna to Liverpool, €12.5 million from Álvaro Rodríguez’s move from Elche to Bournemouth, €15 million for Mario Gila to AC Milan and €3.5 million for Mario Martín’s transfer to Getafe.
Valdepeñas’s arrival at Fiorentina closes one chapter for the 19-year-old and ensures Real Madrid remain financially exposed to his future progress.
