The Premier League continues to deliver drama both on and off the pitch. Managerial changes, transfer pursuits and internal tensions are shaping the narrative across England’s top clubs as the season moves into a decisive phase.
From Tottenham’s bold gamble on Igor Tudor to Manchester United’s change in approach under Michael Carrick, clubs are searching for stability and momentum. Meanwhile, fierce rivalries extend beyond matchday as Arsenal and Spurs battle in the transfer market.
Elsewhere, Newcastle’s struggles raise structural concerns, while individual stories across the league highlight just how fragile careers and projects can become. Here is a detailed look at the latest developments.
CAN IGOR TUDOR SAVE TOTTENHAM?
Tottenham Hotspur management decided three weeks ago that unless there was a dramatic turnaround in results they would sack Thomas Frank. The results did not improve enough and he was shown the exit door. Igor Tudor had already been well researched by the recruitment department and Tottenham built a thick file on the Croatian. What appealed to them most was the way he has previously moved into clubs and produced a rapid improvement in player performance. Both Juventus and Lazio benefitted from Tudor’s playing expertise and saw an upturn in results which regrettably did not last. He eventually resigned from Lazio and was fired by Juventus.
He said this week, “It is an honour to join Tottenham at an important moment and I understand the responsibility I have been handed. My focus is clear: to bring greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every match.”
That conviction was lacking in several of Thomas Frank’s last games, and matters were made worse when he fell out with Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence, both of whom are highly regarded by the club hierarchy.
Tudor has managed 10 clubs in 13 years, which has alarmed some Tottenham supporters who think he will not be big enough for such a high-profile club as Spurs. They claim that although he has managed many clubs, few, if any, match up to Tottenham. The official supporters’ club, however, have pledged to give him a loud welcome for the game this weekend.
Tudor believes Tottenham already have players capable of moving out of the relegation zone and up the table, and this week he immediately appointed four new assistants who have joined him. This weekend will prove to be a tough challenge and I doubt he has witnessed such intense rivalry as the North London derby against Arsenal.
Tudor said that he would like the job permanently, but results will determine whether he has a chance. Tottenham have said he is in the running. The club is also in touch with former boss Mauricio Pochettino and his current position with the USA national team ends after the World Cup. Roberto De Zerbi has left Marseille, and both Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner have contracts that will end this summer. All are under consideration.
CARRICK LIFTS AMORIM’S BAN PLAYER FREEDOM
During Ruben Amorim’s time at Old Trafford he banned mid-season breaks after Casemiro and Marcus Rashford flew to America to socialise with friends. Interim coach Michael Carrick is trying to lift the spirit within the team and is doing everything possible to give the players more freedom.
United have enjoyed a 13-day break after elimination from the FA Cup and Carrick cancelled Amorim’s ban so the players could spend some leisure time and return to training in the right frame of mind.
Goalkeeper Senne Lammens chose to return to his former club Royal Antwerp for a visit. He wore a Belgian national outfit and posted a photo when he visited his old friends.
Club captain Bruno Fernandes decided to return to his home in Portugal and watched a local football match.
ARSENAL TAKE ON TOTTENHAM
Arsenal and Tottenham line up against each other this weekend knowing that the fierce rivals are also in for another battle off the pitch.
Both clubs are seeking the signature of Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka. Tottenham were leading the race but it is now looking doubtful that he will move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Arsenal are in a better position to offer Goretzka what he is looking for.
Both the Bayern player and his agents have studied the standing of the two clubs. Whereas the Gunners can potentially offer Champions League football next season and even a Premier League title winner’s medal, Spurs might be relegated if Igor Tudor cannot turn the club around from their precarious position.
Both clubs have instructed their scouting agents and recruitment teams to follow the situation closely and keep the hierarchy informed.
There are plenty of rumours that Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister could leave in the summer after a difficult season, and Manchester United have discussed the possibility of bringing him to Old Trafford with Michael Carrick. To underline the maturity he has shown since taking over United, Carrick agreed that the club should assess how Mac Allister would fit into the playing setup. He has also shown interest in Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.
EZE SHOWING HIS PALACE CONFIDENCE
Mikel Arteta was delighted with Eberechi Eze’s performance against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup. Eze has not enjoyed the same excellence he achieved at Crystal Palace. Arteta said Eze’s two superb assists have hopefully unlocked his confidence and that he is ready to step up and supply the Kai Havertz-type through balls to enable Jesus, Martinelli, Madueke and Bukayo Saka to find the net.
His vision in the FA Cup match was a joy to admire. Whether Eze has regained his old Palace confidence remains to be seen against tougher opposition, but Arteta certainly believes he has.
He said, “He’s already playing a big role. Those creative players need to feel that they are producing those magic moments.”
Arteta added that he was happy with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka — a late replacement for Riccardo Calafiori — slotting into a three-forward formation as they swept Wigan aside 4-0.
WHY HAVE NEWCASTLE GOT IT ALL WRONG?
I travelled up to Newcastle this week, 300 miles north-east of London, to find out why Eddie Howe’s team blows hot and cold and why consistency has become a real problem.
Many supporters have turned on Howe recently, but my findings reflect a different story at St James’ Park.
Newcastle’s problems began when sporting director Paul Mitchell quit. He had been a vital part of the club setup and much of his work was pushed onto Howe’s shoulders when he should have been concentrating solely on team training, opponent research and selection. The club were then involved in difficult transfer decisions, and when the chief executive left it signalled even more work for Howe.
Alexander Isak went on strike, and the Magpies had to look at bringing in fresh talent equal to the striker’s amazing scoring record. Brentford’s Yoane Wissa was chosen but his move has been hampered by injury.
Many insiders believe that a chaotic summer with poor recruitment and £240 million in spending lies at the heart of the problem. That huge outlay has not brought the necessary improvements.
On a brighter note, Sven Botman is close to playing his best football and Howe believes he will grow stronger after signing a new contract. Howe is also anxious to extend Kieran Trippier and Fabian Schar’s contracts before they expire in June.
Howe said this week, “I think Sven has always been the type of player who is fully committed and I’ve never seen him distracted. But when you have certainty over your future, it can give you contentment and allow you to focus on what is really important.”
– Ends
