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Igor Tudor will go down as one of the most catastrophic managerial appointments of all time.

And yet in the rogues’ gallery of Tottenham Hotspur’s wretched season, the part the Croatian played was ultimately minimal – 43 days, seven games, one Champions League exit, 20 goals conceded and a microdose of false hope.  

Tudor will be remembered then as an odd stooge in the melodrama but never the real villain. He was a symptom rather than the cause of Spurs’ staggering incompetence, which now has the chance to manifest itself again.

Why should anybody believe that the current board are capable of choosing a third head coach of the season? The majority-owning Lewis family will once more put their trust in chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange to make a decision, less than six weeks after getting the last one so horrifically wrong.

The names up for consideration say much about the coherence with which the board are operating. There is Adi Hutter, who like Tudor has no experience of the Premier League. There is Roberto De Zerbi, who would be a divisive choice; some fan groups are organising a “No to De Zerbi” campaign, roused by his support for Mason Greenwood at Marseille. And there is Sean Dyche, polar opposite to De Zerbi stylistically but with a decent record of keeping teams up.

None of this suggests a lucidity of mind which ought to inspire any confidence. The second problem for Spurs’ next boss is that the inheritance has not materially changed. If anything, it has got worse – the injuries, the poor recruitment, the playing squad bereft of confidence.

Tudor tried to find various ways to stop the rot but none of them worked. His three at the back was unshakeable and the only players who came out of his five league games in charge with any real credit were Archie Gray and Kevin Danso.

The line-ups for the defeats to Arsenal, Fulham and Nottingham Forest he got hopelessly wrong, moving Conor Gallagher to the right, Joao Palhinha to centre-back and Pedro Porro onto the wing. Nevertheless it showed some innovation and an acknowledgement that standing still was getting Tottenham nowhere.

The only positive results came in the draw with an abject Liverpool side and in the home win over Atletico Madrid, when the tie was already dead. Players were left bewildered by his handling of Antonin Kinsky in the Champions League last-16 first leg, substituting the young goalkeeper after 15 howler-strewn minutes.

It was never entirely clear why Spurs believed Tudor was the right man in the first place. The move had all the hallmarks of one last Fabio Paratici powerplay before his departure to Fiorentina, given Tudor’s own history at Paratici’s old home of Juventus. It is a mystery why Tottenham should be governed by the whims of people who no longer work for them – but it is indicative of a board who now operate with too many cooks.

Whatever the downsides of Daniel Levy’s reign, the club was essentially run on a one-man, one-vote system – he called the shots. The malaise started on his watch and still his successors have pioneered new ways to fail and embarrass the club.

Without Levy, nobody could decide whether to keep Thomas Frank or not, or what the plan should be when he was eventually sacked. Tudor’s new manager bounce was subsequently wasted on a catastrophic 4-1 defeat to Arsenal.

The new incoming coach will have 10 days left of the international break to work with the players, Tudor having rightly been given a few days’ space as he mourned the death of his father.

His was the fourth shortest managerial reign in Premier League history but it is no coincidence that one of the few to surpass that record was another Spurs interim coach in Cristian Stellini. Throughout Enic’s quarter of a century at the helm, there has been a common theme of bungling and panicking which has led them to the brink of relegation.

If Spurs get this next one wrong, they are down. There will be nowhere to hide for Venkatesham and Lange if that happens.

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Tottenham Hotspur have sacked interim head coach Igor Tudor with the club just one point above the Premier League relegation zone.

Tottenham have taken drastic action with seven league games to go after picking up one point from five league games under the Croatian’s watch.

Tudor was only appointed on 14 February after Spurs dismissed Thomas Frank, and his short 43-day reign – which also included a Champions League exit to Atletico Madrid – ends a week after they lost to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest 3-0 at home.

West Ham are currently 18th one point below Tottenham, who were last relegated from the top tier in 1977.

A statement said: “We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed for head coach Igor Tudor to leave the club with immediate effect.

“Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci have also left their respective roles of goalkeeping coach and physical Coach.

“We thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their efforts during the past six weeks, in which they worked tirelessly.

“We also acknowledge the bereavement that Igor has recently suffered and send our support to him and his family at this difficult time.

“An update on a new head coach will be provided in due course.”

To-do list

Spurs do not play again until 12 April when they travel to Sunderland.

Here, The i Paper looks at the to-do list of the next head coach in place in N17.

Raise morale

Confidence was already an issue when Tudor arrived after a poor run of form, but belief will presumably be at an all-time low after a recent club-record six-match losing streak and a winless run in the Premier League which now stands at 13 fixtures.

The sight of Tottenham players collapsing to the floor at full-time has been all too frequent in recent months and Tudor’s harsh appraisal that they lacked in attack, midfield and defence at the start of March will not have helped matters.

Spurs will only get out of their precarious situation with renewed belief, and an arm-around-the-shoulder of certain key players could help boost morale.

No more square pegs in round holes

A particular issue during Tudor’s reign was his tendency to put players out of position in an effort to stick to his favoured three-at-the-back formation.

Joao Palhinha and Pedro Porro were both used as centre-backs, while Conor Gallagher, Xavi Simons and Lucas Bergvall have all had stints as wide midfielders when they are better suited centrally.

Poor Archie Gray played as a right wing-back and left-back before he finally got the chance in central midfield where he has unsurprisingly flourished. Even Dominic Solanke was deployed as an attacking midfielder. For the next seven games, Spurs’ players need simplicity and to play in their correct positions.

Win at home

Most teams which survive a relegation battle can rely on picking points up at home and turning their ground into a fortress, but Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been the opposite.

Spurs have won only two home league games all season and managed only two in the second half of the 2024-25 campaign too. Even though European nights have produced memorable occasions, domestically they are without a win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since 6 December.

There are a multitude of reasons why Tottenham have struggled at home, but one area where a quick win would be possible is to instruct the team to start on the front-foot and not be passive. On too many occasions under Thomas Frank and Tudor, the hosts have sat off opponents and struggled to claw back momentum.

Read more

• Kat Lucas: The strange case of Tottenham’s forgotten man
• Kat Lucas: Richarlison’s fight should embarrass the Tottenham board

Achieve safety

Two wins may be enough or even a tally of eight points, but if that sounds simple, it is not for a team hopelessly out of form.

Tottenham have won only two of their last 22 league fixtures and taken a grand total of one point from their last seven games. If they are to stay up and avoid a seismic relegation, that tally must improve significantly.

With big-money forwards in Richarlison and Solanke along with talented young players like Gray, Xavi and Lucas Bergvall plus Europa League-winning centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, Spurs should have the required quality to avoid the bottom three, but they need to remember how to win in the Premier League and fast.

Additional reporting by Press Association

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We do not know what the personal reasons were that persuaded Ben White to leave early from the last World Cup.

A deserter! In his nation’s hour of need! Treason! There are few crimes more traitorous than turning your back on your country in Toxic Britain, where forgiveness is hard earned.

Thomas Tuchel, a foreigner, remained blissfully unaware of the vitriol about to head White’s way at Wembley on Friday night, as the Arsenal defender ended his four-year international exile. Why would anyone boo one of their own?

And yet, of course, our great nation excelled itself once more as not even a minority booed White upon his entrance from the bench in the second half of an otherwise anodyne draw with Uruguay.

More dishearteningly, even White putting England in front, his first-ever international goal – normally one for fireside chats with the grandkids down the line – garnered the same cacophony of disapproval.

It had to be Ben White

England take the lead v Uruguay @England | @ben6white pic.twitter.com/vZENV2tiMy

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 27, 2026

Football, like the rest of the world, has become more understanding of mental health issues that even affect multi-millionaire sportspeople. Events at Wembley showed just how far we still have to go.

The fact we do not know White’s reasons should have indicated that we have to give him the benefit of the doubt over why he left Qatar early in 2022 and subsequently withdrew his availability for international duty. Unfortunately, however, football doesn’t work like that.

It is well-documented that White is not a football obsessive like all those watching him, desperate for anything like the opportunity he has. Envy that pays a huge part in what happened on Friday night.

White’s decision four years ago did not cost England a second World Cup crown. All of which would likely have come into his thinking. Had he been a starter, there may have at least been some resistance from the England camp.

What White is, is a conscientious objector. He wanted to leave, and he didn’t want to say why. Had we known that he wanted to leave because he thought Gareth Southgate was obstructive, or he objected to the British empire, we would then be each entitled to our own views. Those more nationalistic given some credence to boo.

The lack of clarity, for the sake of protecting the player, should mean leeway is given.

Wembley has history. Harry Maguire could not wait to cup his ears after scoring after he had previously received such treatment. Even England’s all-time top goalscorer Wayne Rooney has taken some flak from the stands.

The encouraging signs elsewhere in football over mental health, its acceptable and understanding, perhaps encouraged Tuchel to believe that such reactions were a thing of the past. Football, more often than not, still retains that immovable tendency to disappoint.

“I also understood it happened to other players before here, and so he needs to take it on the chin,” Tuchel said. “We will always protect him, and hopefully we can put it behind him. Because he’s ready to write some new chapters, and we are ready to give him the chance. Hopefully, everyone can move on and accept it.”

But why do we have to accept it? Why should we allow thousands to target someone for simply doing what they wanted to do, to absolutely no detriment to his country’s chances of success?

“Obviously I’ve known him for a very long time,” Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa, who worked with White at Leeds, said. “I was just very happy to see him and I’m very happy to see how he has developed in his career.

“I saw him as he was sitting there and it was an opportunity to see him and say hello.”

Class is permanent. It is just a shame it isn’t more widespread.

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England 1-1 Uruguay (White 81′ | Valverde 90+4′ pen)

Stationed at home as colleague Pete Hall reported on this match from Wembley, the temptation to switch to Gogglebox at 9pm was real with England and Uruguay goalless at half-time.

Perhaps even Gogglebox player ratings instead? Jenny and Lee: 10/10. The Blackpool siblings a solid 9/10. The Siddiquis a 9/10 as well…

But no, no, a job to do, and after the first paper aeroplane was spotted at Wembley in the 11th minute – the go-to for bored but paying England supporters – this experimental Three Lions were then denied victory by a late Uruguay penalty despite Cole Palmer sparking the hosts into life.

So from paper planes to who makes the plane, and some cameo from the returning Ben White, here’s how England’s World Cup maybe pile fared before Thomas Tuchel welcomes back his regulars for Tuesday’s friendly against Japan…

James Trafford

Starting ahead of Jordan Pickford to make his England debut, Trafford’s passing was on point, he commanded his box well, and could do little to keep out Federico Valverde’s penalty – Uruguay’s first shot on target. 6/10

Tino Livramento

Like the rest of England’s defence (apart from White late on), Livramento barely put a foot wrong. Had a quieter night than his starting full-back counter-part, Djed Spence. 6/10

Fikayo Tomori

It says something that some 65 minutes in and I had no notes on Tomori beyond one misplaced pass in the first half. Anything below a six would be harsh, although his partner below did shine a little brighter. 6/10

Harry Maguire

Comfortable on the ball and happy going forward, Maguire was a focal point for set-pieces – suggesting England may follow Arsenal’s lead at the World Cup – and solidified his prospects of making the summer squad. 7/10

Djed Spence

Another player who boosted his World Cup prospects, Spence linked up brightly with Marcus Rashford when England attacked down the left and defended well when called upon as well. 7/10

"That's a David Ginola turn"

Djed Spence with some slick feet for England @England | @DjedSpence pic.twitter.com/UIi2vZptwZ

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 27, 2026

Jordan Henderson

Wore the armband with purpose and barked instructions from the get-go, but was then subbed off at half-time as the experiment continued for Tuchel. Very, very little to say beyond Henderson’s leadership skills showing why he is in this squad and will probably head to the US. 5/10

James Garner

Did not look out of place on his England debut. Little to do but did nothing wrong before being replaced with 20 minutes to go. Not the Everton midfielder’s fault, just a role that required the bare minimum on a night where Uruguay did not have a single shot on target while he was on the pitch. 6/10

Noni Madueke

Unlucky to limp off in the first half after showing early endeavour. A potential blow for Arsenal, too, although he was at least able to walk down the tunnel. 6/10

Phil Foden

Neither here nor there in the No 10 role, drifting out of the game all too often. Lucky to escape serious injury early in the second half – with the tackle from Ronald Araujo infuriating Tuchel – before coming off. Showed brief glimpses but if this was an audition to trouble leading candidates Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers in this position, then Foden fell short before his night ended abruptly and in unfortunate circumstances. 4/10

Marcus Rashford

The easy highlight of the first half was Rashford’s dribble down the left wing before his cross whizzed past Dominic Solanke. Showed the most purpose of any forward but did not see enough of the ball in the second half. 7/10

END END

Marcus Rashford has got some wheels! @England | @MarcusRashford pic.twitter.com/1vblEhz42b

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 27, 2026

Dominic Solanke

Had a few first-half attempts and was unsurprisingly selfish given the importance of impressing Tuchel, but the shots came to nothing before he was replaced in the second half. 6/10

Subs

Jarrod Bowen

On for the injured Madueke in the first half. Less dynamic than Madueke. 6/10

Adam Wharton

On at half-time for Henderson, probed with a few hopeful passes. 6/10

Cole Palmer

On in the 56th minute for Foden and delivered a terrific ball for the striker below with 20 minutes to go. Wanted the ball often and impressed more than the Manchester City man he replaced, and it was from his corner where England scored. If you think this score is too generous, it’s warranted for the impact he made. 8/10

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Back after five years away from the England setup, somehow headed wide from three yards out following Palmer’s pinpoint cross. 5/10

Harvey Barnes

On for his second England appearance after snubbing Scotland, the 20 minutes was not enough to make an impact. 6/10

Kobbie Mainoo

Huge cheers when his name was called out, what will be more interesting is if Tuchel gives Mainoo more time against Japan or if the Manchester United midfielder is behind Garner and Henderson – as well as Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson – in the pecking order.

Lewis Hall

Will hope for more gametime on Tuesday. Like the three others who came on in the 69th minute – Barnes, Mainoo, White – it was hard to make an imprint in a stop-start match. 6/10

Ben White

After unexpectedly returning to the England squad, there were pantomime jeers from the crowd when the Arsenal defender came on. All a bit odd, with more boos after he was in the right place at the right time to poke in England’s opener. Ended the night on a sour note, giving the injury-time penalty away. 6/10

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Michael Carrick is closing in on becoming the next permanent Manchester United manager as another of his rivals for the job appears set to pull out of the race.

The i Paper has been told by several sources that Luis Enrique is one of the top picks to take the Old Trafford hotseat at the end of the season, but it appears, just as was the case with other leading candidates Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti, that United will again be forced to look elsewhere.

Sources in Paris are adamant that Enrique will sign a new deal at Paris Saint-Germain beyond his current contract, which expires in 2027.

Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who has been in and out of Qatar in recent weeks to keep his family safe from the conflict in neighbouring Iran, is also keen to secure Enrique’s long-term future.

The signing of Spanish wonderkid Dro Fernandez, ahead of a host of top European clubs was, sources said, a sweetener to keep Enrique believing PSG are fully behind his long-term project in the French capital.

United’s interest in Enrique is said to come from chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, with the club’s Ineos owners understood to be more keen on appointing Carrick, at least on a short-term basis, should the former midfielder steer the club back into the Champions League.

The overriding feeling is if Carrick does that, then he deserves a longer shot at driving lasting change.

Club sources insist no contact has been made with any candidate as yet, as they feel that, with things going so well at the moment, they do not want to cause any undue disruption.

No decision will be made until the end of the season, when Enrique could well already be off the table.

It is true the former Barcelona manager harbours ambitions to manage in the Premier League one day, but the 55-year-old has plenty of time to fulfil those aspirations.

He speaks excellent English and would take little time to adapt to the league, given his experience against English teams.

One source added that Pep Guardiola’s future could come into Enrique’s thinking.

The pair played together at Barcelona and who succeeds the Manchester City boss when he does decide to leave is important to him.

Should Guardiola stay put one more year and see out his contract, like many insiders believe he will, then City will also be on the lookout for another elite-level coach, one with at least one Champions League title under his belt.

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It is a little early to be asking Phil Foden where it all went wrong. Nevertheless, a player framed as the future of the English game when he appeared fully-formed at 17 years old, is tethered to an altogether different trajectory now.

Foden turns 26 in May, which is hard to square with the sense of him that still lingers, a player for the future. Perhaps there is a lesson here for Max Dowman at Arsenal. The storied vista predicted is never given.

Were he to spend the rest of his career potless, Foden would still have banked a hall-of-fame payload, of course. A total of 17 major trophies in more than 300 first-team appearances since making his debut for Manchester City almost nine years ago is Ryan Giggs-like in scale and garnered in half the time.

From the moment he won the Under-17 World Cup with England in 2017 progression to the senior team felt routine. Such was the power of the Foden brand, some advocates pressed for his inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Russia World Cup in 2018.

Southgate, perhaps wisely, resisted until 2020 against Iceland. To date he has amassed 47 caps, just six shy of the total achieved by Glenn Hoddle, another hyper-gifted phenom who ended his career an unresolved quandary for England.

As the season enters its decisive stage, instead of setting the agenda for club and country Foden is the recipient of sympathy votes and the subject of debates about his future at the Etihad.

He was an unused sub against Real Madrid in a game of super significance to City in the Champions League a week ago and was made to wait until the 90th minute before stretching his legs in a perfunctory Carabao Cup cameo against Arsenal at Wembley.

“I felt sad for him,” Wayne Rooney said.

“Not sad because he is coming on in a cup final. There was a game a few days ago when he didn’t even get on the pitch.

“If that was Max Dowman coming on at the end, you would think, good experience. But to see Phil Foden coming on in a cup final, it felt like a charity sub.”

Read more

• Kevin Garside: Mo Salah is a Muslim icon in toxic Britain
• Pete Hall: Ignore Gary Neville, Man City’s maverick is saving the Premier League

Though Foden clings to a place in this England squad, it is hard to see how he might tip the utilitarian thinking of Thomas Tuchel to start against either Uruguay of Japan, and therefore how he retains his interest when the squad is whittled down for the World Cup at the end of May.

Foden seemed to recover his station after injury and personal issues ruined last season. He even survived the arrival of Rayan Cherki in the summer to feature heavily in the autumn and was arguably the outstanding performer in City’s Manchester derby triumph at the Etihad in September, scoring the first.

Foden was seemingly made for Pep Guardiola, the English exemplar of the Catalan’s Tiki-taka movement. In this period of change, however, with Guardiola adapting to the Premier League’s paradigm shift to a more direct template, Foden has been swept into the margins by January signing Antoine Semenyo, the very embodiment of turbo power and thrust.

The idea of leaving to resurrect his career is anathema to a City lifer and Pep devotee like him, yet it is a discussion point in the City chat rooms as a contract extension beyond next year remains unsigned.

The idea of Foden’s absence from the World Cup, unthinkable at the height of the treble-winning season three summers ago, flows through the conversation like the Rubicon, a game-changing feature with irreversible consequences should he choose to cross it.

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Liverpool have already begun planning for life without Mohamed Salah by targeting £52m-rated Portugal forward Francisco Conceicao.

The club’s hierarchy were preparing for Salah’s exit in the past few months as links to Saudi Arabia remained prevalent, but the Egyptian’s shock announcement this week that he will leave on a free in the summer has accelerated plans.

Juventus winger Conceicao has had a stop-start season due to injury, but has found his form in recent months, helping him attract interest from across Europe.

The 23-year-old is also expected to play a big part in Portugal’s attempts to win a first ever World Cup this summer, despite the competition for places he faces in Roberto Martinez’s squad.

Conceicao is the kind of profile Liverpool are looking for – replacing Salah’s ability, from previous seasons, to remain on the front foot and run at defenders.

The i Paper has been told that at least one forward will come in this summer at Anfield, with Cody Gakpo one who could potentially leave after a difficult season.

It is understood that one marquee name, preferably with some Premier League experience, will be sought, then one younger, exciting prospect from Europe for a more reasonable fee. Conceicao falls into the latter category, given he could be available for around €60m (£52m).

Former Crystal Palace star Michael Olise is one of the stellar names Liverpool have been keeping their eye on. The France international’s exhilarating form this season has ramped his price tag up towards the £100m mark.

Liverpool have previous for willingness to spend nine-figure sums, but The i Paper has been told Olise is very happy at Bayern Munich and doubts remain whether he would leave Bavaria now, with Vincent Kompany creating such an impressive unit.

Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers has a myriad of attributes to make a real difference and is another wide option for Liverpool. He too would command a substantial fee.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola has long been coveted by senior figures at Anfield, and is seen as an achievable get, while RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande remains a top target.

Conceicao has three goal contributions in his last four Serie A matches after a campaign of modest numbers previously. Further improved performances for Juventus could persuade Liverpool to move sooner rather than later, as more goals and assists at the World Cup could increase the competition for his signature.

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