List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

Matt Rhule knows what language he needs to use to communicate with the youths of the world about Nebraska football.This isn't Matt Rhule's first rodeo, but the new Nebraska head coach may have found a clever loophole in being able to communicate with recruits during dead periods.Rh...

Tom Lockyer has reflected on his day of “mixed emotions” after being given the all clear following his heart scare during Luton’s Sky Bet Championship play-off final win over Coventry last month. The 28-year-old defender fell to the floor early in the game and was subsequently taken to the Cleveland Clinic in London where he underwent an operation. Lockyer is now planning a holiday before preparing for the Hatters’ new Premier League campaign having been assured by medical staff that there is no reason why he should suffer a repeat of the problem. “I had an atrial fibrillation, which is basically the top part of my heart was beating four times faster than it should have been,” Lockyer told his club’s official website. “There’s not really any reason to say why that happened, but I’ve had the operation to fix it and it shouldn’t happen again. “I’ve been given the all clear, it is what it is and I just want to draw a line under it now and move on.” Lockyer said he had few recollections of the incident, other than an over-riding emotion of sadness when he realised he would be unable to play any further part in the Wembley clash. “It was a day of mixed emotions,” added Lockyer. “It was crazy. All week I’d been visualising walking up those steps to that trophy and to end it in a hospital bed is not quite what I had in mind. “I remember running backwards, and then I went really light-headed and my legs went really weak straight away. I remember stumbling back and then all I remember was (physio) Chris Phillips over the top of me, and he was saying, ‘Locks, you’re coming off’. “I’m just really thankful that the lads were able to get the job done and we were able to complete our goal of getting promoted. “It made those five days in hospital after a lot easier. I think if we had lost, those five days would have been horrendous, but they made it a lot smoother for me.”

Kyle Walker was not involved as Manchester City held an open training session on Tuesday ahead of the Champions League final. The England full-back was substituted in the latter stages of City’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday. All other players were present as City continued preparations for the encounter with Inter Milan in Istanbul this weekend. Pep Guardiola said at a press conference later in the afternoon that Walker had sat out the session to avoid aggravating a back problem. The City boss said: “He has had a little bit of a disturbance in his back. “Yesterday he was not good, today he was a little bit better but we didn’t want to take any risks. We will see in the next days.” Guardiola referred to Saturday’s final being a “dream” opportunity for his side. City are bidding to win the competition for the first time, having been runners-up to Chelsea two years ago. He said: “In two days we will travel to Istanbul. It’s a dream. “Two years ago we were there, but it’s a different circumstance. It’s about what you have to do in 95 minutes to be better than the opponent. In one single game you have to be better.” Guardiola was criticised for his team selection after the 2021 final loss to Chelsea, particularly his decision to leave out midfielder Rodri. He said: “It was a game plan like it will be on Saturday and if I tell you the reason why I made the decision maybe you’ll think I’m right. “But if I win I’m right and if we lose I’m wrong. In this business, you have to accept it.” Read More A look at one-off EPL nationalities as Postecoglou becomes first Australian boss Bastoni at the back with Martinez in attack – Inter Milan’s key players Football says goodbye to Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Monday’s sporting social Finals are 50-50 – Kevin De Bruyne not saying City are favourites to beat Inter Football rumours: Manchester City look to tie down Erling Haaland to new deal The sporting weekend in pictures

Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is to undergo a medical with Liverpool. The PA news agency understands the Seagulls have given permission for the 24-year-old World Cup winner to begin the process of finalising his transfer to Anfield. Mac Allister’s father, Carlos, who acts as his representative, arrived at the weekend for talks regarding the Argentina international’s future. It is understood the Argentina international has a release clause, believed to be between £45million and £55m, in a contract he only signed in October, and Brighton allowing him to have a medical means Liverpool are edging closer to securing a player who emerged as their top transfer target after pulling out of the race for Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham. Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi admitted last month he is already resigned to losing Mac Allister, who was key in securing their first European participation with a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League, just five points behind Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp is looking to rebuild a midfield which misfired this season and Mac Allister has been a long-term target, with James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain departing at the end of their contracts. Liverpool were also interested in Mason Mount, entering the final 12 months of his contract at Chelsea, but Manchester United appear to be the front-runners and Klopp does not want to get into a protracted – and often expensive – process so has moved on to other players. The Reds have been linked with Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch, Nice’s Khephren Thuram and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone and will be looking to get their business done early in time for the start of pre-season on July 8. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Tottenham were approaching Nuno territory and part of the problem was that the last time they spent 72 days searching for a manager, they ended up with Nuno Espirito Santo, albeit not for long. As Ange Postecoglou swaps Glasgow’s East End for north London, it is the next stage in a unique journey; adding the English title to those in Australia, Japan and Scotland feels far-fetched but there has been little that is predictable about his career thus far. And yet it may give Postecoglou something two of his more toxic predecessors lacked: a sense of gratitude. Both Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte gave the impression they thought they were doing Tottenham a favour by deigning to manage them. The most successful appointments of the Daniel Levy era, whether Martin Jol, Harry Redknapp or Mauricio Pochettino, had a more upbeat approach. Each, in his own way, inherited something of a mess – certainly, Redknapp needed few excuses to cite the two points in eight games Spurs procured before his arrival – and so does Postecoglou. He joins a club who snatched eighth place from the jaws of fourth, where only one footballer played genuinely well last season and he could leave, and where the atmosphere is shrouded in negativity. He showed an ability to unite and galvanise a fanbase at Celtic; it will be required again. His in-tray is overflowing. The most obvious element is Harry Kane’s future and even if, due to a combination of Levy’s obstinacy, the striker’s domestic situation and determination to break Alan Shearer’s Premier League goalscoring record and the opportunity to leave with less aggravation on a free transfer next summer, it is likelier the talisman stays for another year, it could mean Postecoglou faces two rebuilding jobs: one with Kane in 2023, one without him 12 months on. Meanwhile, he joins at a point when Spurs have never been more reliant on Kane. The Australian has the job of clearing up Conte’s mess. The Italian’s legacy is a dreadful one in various respects. He imposed the tactical straitjacket of the back three, yet an overly rigid team ended up with a disastrous defensive record: only Leeds and Southampton conceded more top-flight goals in 2023 and if Spurs sieved five in 21 minutes at Newcastle when Cristian Stellini’s attempt to play a back four was an unmitigated disaster, pragmatism has rarely looked less pragmatic. Postecoglou has to find a formation and a style of play that both brings more solidity and attacking quality from players not named Kane. Conte’s spending spree – which cost far more than the Italian ever seemed to acknowledge – has created problems. Conundrums abound. Richarlison was the £60m forward who got a lone league goal and did not fit into the strongest side. Yves Bissouma and Djed Spence were soon discarded. There is scope for Postecoglou to revive careers. He may also need to reinvent a Conte recruit; the specialist wing-back Pedro Porro married a capacity to score with an inability to defend. Can the Spaniard play as a full-back or, if Spurs use a back four, be converted into a winger? There is untapped potential but part of the difficulty is that Spurs’ past limits the room for manoeuvre. Postecoglou is bequeathed a bloated squad, because of both poor recruitment and a struggle to sell. The loan army will return; thus far they have represented an indictment. Conte was quick to give up on players. His successor ought to find a use for some of Sergio Reguilon, Harry Winks, Joe Rodon, Bryan Gil and Spence though, given the lack of creativity in the centre of midfield and their cost, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso remain the most symbolic cases. And, if they are surplus to requirements, there is a need for a proper clearout. It reflects poorly on both his predecessors and Levy that Spurs have three senior right-backs and, arguably, five left-backs. In various departments of the squad, they have quantity where they need quality. There is also the question of the succession: Postecoglou’s reign will probably bring the end of Hugo Lloris’ time in goal, perhaps this summer. In defence, Eric Dier is coming off the back of a hideous season and with questions if he can excel as one of two centre-backs. In attack, Son Heung-min’s wretched year may be a one-off but much of the spine of this side is either over 30 or soon will be. And of the others, the excellent Rodrigo Bentancur will miss the start of Postecoglou’s tenure, when he could do with generating a feelgood factor at a club marked by a mix of apathy and anger; the Australian, meanwhile, has to find a way to stop Cristian Romero from behaving idiotically, or at least to ensure he does so less frequently. Levy claimed Postecoglou would bring back attacking football and an emphasis on youth, ideas Tottenham mislaid in recent years. But factor in the dreadful away form, their poor record against the top teams last season and the lack of a trophy since 2008 and virtually every element of the club requires attention. Postecoglou has a four-year contract but after two, Tottenham could look completely different. They need to. Read More Tottenham appoint ‘attacking’ Ange Postecoglou as new manager Tottenham’s lengthy to-do list after appointing Ange Postecoglou as boss Daniel Levy reveals why Tottenham appointed Ange Postecoglou as new manager

Kyle Walker was not involved as Manchester City held an open training session on Tuesday ahead of the Champions League final. The England full-back was substituted in the latter stages of City’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday. All other players were present as City continued preparations for the encounter with Inter Milan in Istanbul this weekend. Manager Pep Guardiola was due to give an update on the fitness of his squad at a press conference later in the afternoon.

Following the departure of Ange Postecoglou to Tottenham, Celtic are now looking for a new manager. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the candidates who may be given consideration by the Parkhead hierarchy. Brendan Rodgers The 50-year-old Northern Irishman is out of work after being sacked by Leicester in April. Enjoyed a hugely successful stint of just under three years in charge of Celtic in which he won two consecutive domestic trebles before leaving the club firmly on course to achieve the feat for a third time when he was headhunted by the Foxes in February 2019. The timing of his departure – when they were closing in on a treble-treble – meant Rodgers left under a cloud in the eyes of a significant section of supporters. The possibility of lingering acrimony may be a stumbling block to his potential return. Jesse Marsch As part of the Red Bull group, the 49-year-old American came to prominence when he led Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg – who had Erling Haaland in attack in his first season in charge – to two consecutive league and cup doubles. Renowned for his high-intensity, approach, Marsch earned a crack at the Leeds job in February 2022 following the sacking of Marcelo Bielsa and ensured they stayed in the Premier League, but a poor start to his first full season at Elland Road led to him being sacked in February. Was interviewed about recent vacancies at Southampton and Leicester but remains out of work and is still based in the UK. Scott Brown The 37-year-old Fleetwood manager spent 14 trophy-laden years as a player at Celtic, the majority as captain, before his departure in 2021. His name is sure to come into consideration given his long association with the club and the high regard in which he is held, but would be seen as a major gamble given his relative lack of managerial experience. Steered Fleetwood to 58 points and a mid-table finish in League One in his first season in charge, which represented a notable upturn under Brown as they had picked up just 40 points while battling relegation under his predecessor. Also reached the FA Cup fifth round, beating QPR and Sheffield Wednesday along the way. David Moyes Currently in charge of Europa Conference League finalists West Ham, Moyes’ name always seems to be mentioned when Celtic are looking for a new manager given his Glasgow roots. The 60-year-old’s future with the Hammers has been in doubt following a disappointing Premier League campaign, but he said at the weekend that he was “really happy at the moment and settled where I am” when asked about his situation. Has previously managed Everton, Manchester United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland. A lack of silverware may count against him. Kjetil Knutsen The 54-year-old has made a name for himself after establishing Bodo Glimt as one of the top teams in Norway since taking charge in 2018. Led them to their first-ever title win in 2020 and followed up the feat a year later. Currently eight points clear at the top of the Eliteserien. Has also overseen some impressive European runs over the past three seasons, most notably in the 2021/22 campaign when Bodo Glimt reached the quarter-finals of the Conference League after defeating Postecoglou’s Celtic 5-1 on aggregate. Graham Potter Currently unemployed after being sacked in April following a chastening spell in charge of Chelsea, Potter – who made his name in an impressive three-year reign at Brighton – would be seen as an eye-catching proposition for many Hoops supporters. Indeed there are similarities between where Potter is now and where Rodgers was when he chose to head north and get his career back on track with Celtic in 2016 after his sacking from Liverpool. The 48-year-old former Swansea boss’ preferred style of football would be deemed attractive to Celtic, who will be keen to hire someone able to get the most out of a squad built in Postecoglou’s mould over the past two years. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Karolina Muchova books French Open semi-final spot with straight sets win Reading to go part-time following relegation from Women’s Super League Ange Postecoglou admits he ‘will forever’ be a Celtic fan after Tottenham move

Reading will go part-time following their relegation from the Women’s Super League. The Royals dropped down to the second tier for the first time since 2015 after finishing bottom of the 2022/23 table, amassing just 11 points from their 22 games. Owner Dai Yongge has been financing the club but they will lose their full-time status in order to operate in a more sustainable financial manner. “Difficult but necessary financial decisions are being made across the business following the club’s relegation to League One last season and, after discussions with the FA, the decision to operate Reading FC Women on a part-time basis represents the most viable solution at the present time,” chief executive Dayong Pang said. “We would like to acknowledge all of the hard work and unquestionable dedication to Reading Football Club of Kelly Chambers and her coaching staff, the players and all the staff. “The club will now be working extremely hard to build a team to proudly represent our town in the WSL Championship in the 2023-24 campaign. “Our owner, Mr Dai Yongge, has his full focus concentrated on our club’s rebuild. He is fully committed to consolidating our efforts into a sensible and sustainable reset, designed to bring success back to RG2.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Ange Postecoglou insists he “will forever” be a Celtic supporter after leaving the Parkhead club for Tottenham. The London club ended days of speculation by appointing the 57-year-old Australian as their new head coach on a four-year deal. Postecoglou – who won the domestic treble with the Hoops this season to make it five trophies in two campaigns in charge – replaces Antonio Conte at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. In his parting statement on Celtic’s official website, the former Australia manager thanked the club’s majority shareholder Dermot Desmond, chairman Peter Lawwell and chief executive Michael Nicholson as well as the supporters as he reviewed his time at the cinch Premiership club. He said: “I would like to sincerely thank everyone at the club for everything they have given me. “In particular, Dermot, Peter and Michael and the Celtic Board have shown me tremendous support in every aspect of my time at Celtic and I will forever be grateful for this. “They brought me to the club and I have worked so closely and so well with them for the past two years, I will always have a special relationship with them. Celtic is a phenomenal football club and so much more - and I will forever be a supporter of this great institution Ange Postecoglou “They wanted me to extend my time at Celtic and while I am so respectful and understanding of their position, a new opportunity has been presented to me and it is one which I wanted to explore. “It was an honour to be asked to be Celtic manager and during my two years I have given everything I have to deliver success to our supporters. “Culminating in the treble at the weekend, my players and backroom team have been brilliant for me on this journey. “They have given us all some fantastic moments through their energy and effort, creating real quality, winning football. “Our supporters have been magnificent to me and I thank them for the way they have embraced me during the past two years. “My ambition was always to give our fans a team they could be proud of, a team people talked about and I think we have achieved that. “Celtic is a phenomenal football club and so much more – and I will forever be a supporter of this great institution. I wish everyone connected with Celtic nothing but continued success.” Nicholson described Postecoglou as “a great football manager and a good man”, who has “served the club with such energy and determination and delivered a phenomenal level of success”. He said: “I would like to thank him for all he has given us and I wish Ange and his family the very best for the future in everything they do. “Of course, we wanted Ange to stay with us at Celtic and while there is real disappointment that we are losing him, he has decided he wants to look at a new challenge, which we respect. “As treble-winning champions, the club looks ahead with confidence to the future, with many exciting opportunities ahead.” Lawwell was equally praiseworthy of the former Melbourne Victory and Yokohama F Marinos boss. He said: “Against any measure, Ange has delivered a fantastic level of success to Celtic and we thank him for his brilliant contribution to the club during the past two years. “We were delighted to bring Ange to Celtic. “He is a special manager who has had success wherever he has been and someone who brought to the club attacking, stylish and winning football in the best traditions of Celtic. “Of course, we are disappointed that Ange has decided to leave the club and we did all we could to keep him with us well into the future, but he wanted to take this new opportunity and we wish Ange well in this and everything else he does. “Now our focus is very much on ensuring we move forward positively and do all we can to ensure that we maintain our dominant position in Scottish football and also prepare for the exciting European challenges which lie ahead.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ashes major talking points as Australia gear up for first taste of ‘Bazball’ Steph Catley signs new Arsenal deal A look at three of the best Ashes series on English soil

West Ham United face Italian side Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final in Prague on Wednesday night. The Hammers are bidding to win a first major trophy since the FA Cup in 1980. Here, we look back at their route to the final. Qualifying round West Ham’s journey to Prague began on August 18, three Prime Ministers ago, with a home meeting against Danish minnows Viborg. New Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio scored in a 3-1 first-leg win. Scamacca was on target again, along with Said Benrahma and Tomas Soucek, in the away leg to secure a comprehensive 6-1 aggregate victory. Group stage The Hammers were drawn with Romanian side FCSB, Belgium’s Anderlecht and Silkeborg of Denmark in Group B. They fell behind to FCSB at home in their first match but goals from Bowen, Emerson Palmieri and Antonio earned a 3-1 win and David Moyes’ side went on to breeze into the knockout stages with six wins out of six. Last 16 The travelling fans were rewarded with a trip to sunny Cyprus and a tie against AEK Larnaca. West Ham were struggling domestically, having just been knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United and thumped 4-0 at Brighton in the Premier League, but Antonio’s double settled the away leg and a brace from Bowen helped them to a 4-0 win at home, and 6-0 on aggregate, to keep the European adventure going. Quarter-final Next up were another Belgian outfit, Gent, and for the first time in the competition West Ham failed to register a victory, with Danny Ings on target in a 1-1 away draw. But despite conceding an early goal, the home leg was comfortable thanks to another Antonio double, Lucas Paqueta’s penalty and a stunning solo goal from captain Declan Rice to wrap up a 4-1 win. Semi-final Dutch dark horses AZ Alkmaar would be no pushovers in the last four having already accounted for Lazio and Anderlecht. West Ham fell behind at the London Stadium to Tijani Reijnders’ first-half goal but Said Benrahma’s penalty and Antonio’s scrambled effort secured a 2-1 win. In an edgy second leg, Pablo Fornals raced through to score the only goal in stoppage time to inflict AZ’s first European defeat in 26 matches and send the Hammers through. Read More Football says goodbye to Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Monday’s sporting social Golf and water parks can help West Ham to European glory, says Thilo Kehrer West Ham walk off pitch after alleged racial abuse in seven-a-side tournament Leicester’s unexpected twist provides reminder of football’s new reality Izzy Christiansen calls it a day – Thursday’s sporting social Tottenham appoint ‘attacking’ Ange Postecoglou as new manager

Tottenham have ended their long search for a permanent head coach by appointing Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou. Postecoglou, who won five major trophies in two seasons at Celtic, including this season’s domestic treble, faces a tough task to quickly turn Tottenham’s fortunes around. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the 57-year-old’s in-tray. Resolve Harry Kane’s future The most pressing issue awaiting Postecoglou in his first job as a Premier League head coach is the future of Kane. The England captain has one year left on his contract and has been linked with a possible summer move to a host of Europe’s leading clubs, including Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich. Postecoglou will want Kane to stay, but will also want assurances. The 29-year-old is either all in and stays, or opts for a new challenge and generates funds to help Tottenham rebuild their squad. Whatever Kane decides, Postecoglou will need a speedy decision. Unite the dressing room None of Tottenham’s near 30-man first-team squad are out of contract this summer, but plenty of departures can be expected. Postecoglou’s predecessor Antonio Conte publicly criticised his players’ team ethic and anyone lacking in that regard will have no place in the former Australia head coach’s squad. He must quickly work out who he can trust to fully commit to his principles and methods and try and move on those he does not. Unity and spirit were the bedrock for Celtic’s success under Postecoglou and he will want to lay the same foundations at Tottenham. Win over doubters Postecoglou was not top choice for the majority of Tottenham’s supporters and there will be plenty of scepticism among those who had called for the return of Mauricio Pochettino, while the likes of Arne Slot, Roberto De Zerbi and Luis Enrique were also reported to be on the club’s list of targets. Postecoglou must win over the doubters and reconnect the players with a disgruntled fanbase. He did just that at Celtic where he first took charge in a toxic environment, but can his blueprint for success in the Scottish Premiership transfer to the English top flight? Director of football key Tottenham have been without a director of football since the resignation of Fabio Paratici in April and the club will now prioritise that key appointment in readiness for a busy summer ahead. Feyenoord’s general manager Dennis te Kloese has turned down the role and, while filling the vacancy falls under chairman Daniel Levy’s remit, Postecoglou could well be involved in the process and will definitely want to strike an instant rapport with whoever takes on the job. The Australian has a clear philosophy for possession-based, high-energy football and the project will only work if the two parties are aligned. Top-four challenge European football has eluded Spurs for the first time since 2009-10 and they can ill-afford to miss out for a second successive season in their bid to retain their status as a ‘Big Six’ club. Postecoglou must overhaul the playing squad, galvanise a dispirited dressing room and bed in his backroom staff – what role, if any, for fans’ favourite Ryan Mason? – all in time to launch a Champions League challenge with the same brand of football that has thrilled Celtic fans for the past two years. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Tottenham appoint Ange Postecoglou as head coach on four-year contract Ashes major talking points as Australia gear up for first taste of ‘Bazball’ Steph Catley signs new Arsenal deal

Tottenham Hotspur have finally appointed a new manager, 10 weeks and two interim bosses after Antonio Conte was sacked. Ange Postecoglou is in from Celtic, appointed on a four-year deal, and there’s plenty for the Australian head coach to do in his first few weeks on the job – and much for Spurs as a club still to do to support him, too. Here’s the lengthy to-do list the north London side have to get straight to work on, both with Postecoglou’s input and to help him thrive in his new role. Who is the director of football? Nobody, at present, and that needs fixing. Spurs have already been linked with a host of names and talks haven’t gone routinely with them either. Fabio Paratici’s tenure can be labelled middling at best in terms of recruitment and decision-making, and even that is perhaps being kind considering where Spurs finished up in 2022/23. But now a new face must be brought in quickly, to act as the go-between before Daniel Levy’s interventions become commonplace once more, or to act as deal-broker in the transfer market. Whichever is the preference for the club’s latest new structure, in an ideal world this position would have been filled before Postecoglou’s and then the sporting director given input in who to work with. That hasn’t happened so any appointment to this crucial role will have to be on board with the style and system the new manager wants to work with, then act accordingly in the market. The future of Harry Kane Real Madrid are in the market for a new No 9 and that’s a problem for Spurs as much as anybody else, with England captain Harry Kane on their summer shortlist. On the one hand, selling Kane would raise the club’s ability to reinvest and rebuild the team by a considerable amount; on the other hand, they’d lose their best player, creative outlet, most regular goal threat and fan favourite all in one go. Given his age and length at the club, plus how far away Spurs are from challenging for major honours right now, it should be no surprise if he wants to depart and there shouldn’t really be any ill-will from fans if that transpires. But Levy has never been one to simply give players what they want if there’s no benefit to the club, and there are political forces at play in any potential deal here just as much as sporting and financial ones. Captain, World Cup-winner... unsettled No 1 Hugo Lloris is almost certainly off, too. The long-time Spurs goalkeeper missed the end of the season with an injury, having been subbed at half-time in his final appearance amid reports of dressing-room unrest following five first-half goals conceded at Newcastle. While the French goalkeeper has been in place for such a long time that he’ll naturally be a key departure, his form hasn’t been stellar for some time and his end-of-season words – “it’s the end of an era. I have desires for other things” – rather aptly sum up the fact he should be allowed to move on, regardless of having a season left on his contract. If Spurs are serious about a total rebuild, it must start from the back to give Postecoglou a chance to put a real stamp on the team. Full-back conundrum Just ahead of the goalkeeper is another big decision to be made, which will affect far more than just one player. Effectively, Postecoglou’s decision here is whether he wants to regularly play a back three – as predecessors Nuno Espirito Santo and Conte have done – or reverse to a quartet, as interim bosses Ryan Mason and Cristian Stellini found they were unable to successfully do. So many of Spurs’ collection of flank-players are very much wing-backs and moulding them to full-backs is improbable for some, risky with others. It could either be a sea-change in personnel in this area, or else much more of the same – meaning other tactical changes are clearly needed for improvements. The actual transfer talk Strategy and individuals are one thing, but rest of the summer ins and outs will naturally shape just how well Postecoglou’s debut season could go. There are loans to sort out, such as whether Dejan Kulusevski’s will be made permanent or if Destiny Udogie is coming back off his and into the squad, while Lucas Moura is among those definitely departing, his contract set to expire. And on the incoming side, not having a manager or a sporting director in place naturally means that the early days and weeks of the summer window have been lost, in terms of getting targets identified, constructing deals and convincing players that their future should lie at Spurs. That has to quickly now be the priority as fans demand more of a pathway toward improvement, following an eighth-place finish which means no European football next season. Pre-season and a trip home for Ange The full plan for pre-season is also not yet in place for the men’s first team, though there will be a rapid trip ‘home’ for Postecoglou as Spurs play in Australia against West Ham in mid-July. He’s Greek-born and more associated with Melbourne than Perth, mind, but it’s still an intriguing twist on how he’ll be received by fans early on. Elsewhere, there are two games in Asia to play, in Thailand and Singapore, but the manager may want strong input on where and when matches take place as the start of competitive action approaches. With the 2023/24 Premier League fixture list out on 15 June and the first game on 12 August, there’s not a whole lot of time to fine-tune the planning – and so much Spurs need to get through before then, on and off the pitch. 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