Premier League
Tudor’s derby debut: an urgent opening to steady a fragile Tottenham
Tudor’s derby debut must spark belief at Spurs: a shorter window to unite a depleted squad and fans.
Opta’s models appear more confident about Tottenham Hotspur’s chances of Premier League survival than many supporters. After eight months of Thomas Frank-led disappointment, the club have turned to Igor Tudor with Sunday’s North London Derby as his first, immediate test.
Supporters have been yearning for the ”good ol’ days” and nostalgia shaped the debate around managerial options. Mauricio Pochettino has openly pondered a return, but the Argentine’s commitment to the USMNT rendered a stopgap necessary. Some even flirted with the improbable idea of a 78-year-old Harry Redknapp returning, imagining “Niko” and “Crouchy” in Lilywhite once more. The hierarchy rejected those fantasies and handed Tudor the task of unifying a fractured squad and an increasingly weary fanbase.
Fabio Paratici left as sporting director after the January transfer window, yet his fingerprints are visible on Tudor’s appointment. Paratici’s arrival in 2021 signalled an intent to emulate European elites, attempting to impose Juventus-like standards in N17. Recruits such as Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur, and the return of Antonio Conte, were part of that blueprint; the past year, though, has diverged from Paratici’s vision.
Tudor, a 47-year-old Croat sacked by Juve last October, has a record of rescue jobs but none with stakes this high. His no-nonsense mantra and aggressive pressing principles must yield results quickly or relegation becomes a real risk. Tottenham head into the derby without a Premier League win in 2026 and with about six fit outfielders. That depleted picture makes his opening fixture especially precarious.
Arsenal, chasing a 22-year-long objective, drew 2–2 at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday, and Manchester City sit five points behind with a game in hand. If City maintain their home run against Newcastle, Arsenal’s lead would be two on derby day. Since Conte’s late-2021 run, Arsenal have won all but one of seven meetings, a sequence that followed Tottenham supporters, in Gary Neville’s words, “brutalised” Arteta’s side.
For Tudor the priority is immediate connection. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has often been a cauldron of discontent; only Conte and, briefly, Postecoglou have truly weaponised it. A spirited finish to the season would offer relief and restore some foundations, leaving any long-term successor a more stable platform than a club on its knees.
Liverpool
Gravenberch Commits Long-Term to Liverpool and Sets Sights on More Trophies
Gravenberch signs new long-term Liverpool deal, targets trophies after growth under Arne Slot. this.
Ryan Gravenberch has signed a new long-term contract at Liverpool and made clear his priorities for the coming years. The club did not release the exact length of the deal, but reports suggest it will run until 2032.
Gravenberch arrived from Bayern Munich in 2023 and endured a slow start, but he became a key figure last season under Arne Slot. That progression continued into 2025/26 when the defensive midfielder produced the best goalscoring form of his career, registering four league goals for the first time.
On signing his contract he reflected on the decision and his place at the club. “I feel really, really good,” Gravenberch told club media. “I was really proud to extend my contract at such a big club. So, I’m really happy that I can stay for many more years.
“I felt directly the trust from the club, also from the manager. The decision for me was easy to make. My family is also happy here. We are now here almost three years, so I know everything already. I’m happy that I’m here.”
The timing of the new deal comes as Liverpool pursue silverware in two competitions this season. The club’s chances of ending the campaign with a trophy may rest solely on the FA Cup and Champions League, and Gravenberch acknowledged the short-term focus while outlining a longer-term ambition to return Liverpool to title contention.
“For the short term, [my aim is to] end the season as good as possible,” he continued. “And for the long term: win many more trophies with Liverpool. ]”
His progress from an unsettled arrival to a regular performer under Slot has given Liverpool a midfield option who combines defensive work with an improved scoring threat. The new contract secures that option as the club plans the next phase of its domestic and European campaigns.
Liverpool
Slot soothes concerns after Mac Allister withdrawn; Liverpool show midfield depth
Arne Slot said “I think so, yes.” after Alexis Mac Allister’s late withdrawal; Liverpool show depth.
Arne Slot moved to calm nerves after Alexis Mac Allister was withdrawn late against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday. The substitution looked worrying at the time, but Slot offered reassurance when asked about the midfielder’s condition: “I think so, yes.”
The match also marked the return of Florian Wirtz from injury, a timely addition to Liverpool’s squad, although the team did not ultimately require his influence to control the game. At the base of midfield, Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch provided solidity and composure, while Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones delivered productive displays further forward.
Teenage winger Rio Ngumoha emerged as the standout performer. He “stole the show and was unfortunate not to join his teammates on the score sheet,” drawing praise and attention for his display. That performance intensified debate around the player who has been limiting his opportunities this season, Cody Gakpo.
Gakpo started in an unfamiliar role as a central striker and struggled to look comfortable. The draft of his performance underlined a wider issue: those difficulties can also be said for many of his appearances as a left winger this season. The continued rise of attacking options complicates selection decisions for Slot.
Wirtz’s introduction from the bench adds further options to an already crowded midfield. Slot now has an abundance of confident, in-form players to call on as Liverpool prepare for a demanding trip to Türkiye to face Galatasaray in midweek. If Liverpool’s attack-minded stars continue to build form, selection pressures will increase and Slot’s choices may be tested.
For now, the immediate concern over Mac Allister appears to have been eased. The match offered evidence of the squad’s depth and posed fresh selection questions as Liverpool look ahead to their midweek fixture and the remainder of the season.
Man Utd
De Zerbi Linked to Manchester United as Spurs Continue Talks
De Zerbi is reportedly open to Manchester United while Spurs continue talks amid ongoing instability
Reports suggest Roberto De Zerbi is interested in the Manchester United job even as Tottenham Hotspur continue to hold talks with him. The situation has added pressure to an unsettled managerial picture at both clubs, where interim managers Michael Carrick and Igor Tudor are fighting for their futures.
Tudor is reported to be at risk of being sacked after just three games, with Spurs sitting one point clear of the relegation zone. While Carrick is believed to have done enough to remain in the running at United, the potential availability of De Zerbi will complicate summer planning for both sides.
Talks between Spurs and De Zerbi have been held, but the Italian is expected to hold out for more appealing offers this summer. His high octane soccer earned admirers during spells with Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk between 2018 and 2022, and it was at Brighton & Hove Albion that he established himself among the world’s elite.
It is widely accepted that De Zerbi overachieved with the Seagulls and he spoke with a handful of big names, including both Spurs and United, during the summer of 2024 before taking his talents to Marseille. The French side finished second in Ligue 1 during his first season in charge, playing a possession-heavy brand of soccer that was both aesthetically pleasing and effective on the field.
There is a sense that his approach would suit a team built to be favorites every week, but his style of management remains a concern for some suitors. De Zerbi is a fiery character who is not afraid to raise his voice and challenge anybody in his path, be that his own players or those above him in the hierarchy. His departure from Brighton stemmed from public disappointment towards his limited impact in the club’s transfer dealings, and that could be a major issue for both United and Spurs as they lean into the modern approach of appointing “head coaches” to lead the team and hand the transfer business to a recruitment department.
United, having shaken off the cobwebs of the Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim eras, have enjoyed enough on-field success to remind the world of their pedigree and reputation as the biggest brand in English soccer. With the promise of a hefty transfer budget this summer, the allure of the Red Devils is clear. Spurs, meanwhile, face the added complication that they cannot even offer assurances of Premier League status next season after two seasons at the wrong end of the standings, leaving them with an uphill battle to retain their place among England’s ‘Big Six.’
