Given Tottenham Hotspur’s current situation on the pitch, it’s fair to say that sporting director Johan Lange and CEO Vinai Venkatesham are not the most popular names among the club’s fanbase.
Spurs remain outside the Premier League relegation zone by just a point ahead of the visit of Crystal Palace to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night, but it feels like them keeping their noses just above danger has been largely down to the form of the teams around them.
The north London club’s defeat to Fulham on Sunday meant they have now gone 10 Premier League matches without a win for the first time since 1994, while they remain without a top flight win in 2026 with their last three points coming against Sunderland at the end of December.
New caretaker manager Igor Tudor has lost both of his matches in charge after Tottenham officials decided to go down that route, rather than making a permanent appointment.
Lange and Venkatesham will hope the club has enough to stay up in the next weeks, and then they can focus on making the right appointment to try and take Tottenham back to the top next season.
Tottenham Targeting Mauricio Pochettino Return
According to GIVEMESPORT sources, Tottenham have identified former boss Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi as two of the frontrunners for the job in the summer.
Spurs probably ideally would have tried to get the Argentine now for the run-in, but it was impossible with the 54-year-old focused on leading the USA at their home World Cup this summer.
If Tottenham do pick the ‘world-class’ Pochettino as their preferred candidate, they will likely have to wait until deep in the summer before a move can be completed and he can begin work at Hotspur Way.
Lange and Venkatesham have come under fire for recruitment and managerial decisions in recent months, and the duo will know they need to get the next permanent appointment right to keep their jobs safe.
Pochettino’s last job in club football was with Chelsea, where he lasted less than 12 months before being dismissed in 2024.
The Appointment the Fans Want
United States men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino talks to the media during a press conference introducing him as the new head coach for the United States men’s national team at Warner Bros. Discovery Hudson Center on Sept. 13, 2024. Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images
Pochettino was a huge favourite among the Tottenham faithful during his five years in charge previously, which culminated in him leading the club to the Champions League final.
That love hasn’t disappeared, and the supporters made their feelings for the Argentine clear as they chanted his name during what proved to be Thomas Frank’s final match in charge against Newcastle.
Tottenham are in a dire situation with a real disconnect at the club between the fans and the players, and Pochettino has proved before that he can unite everyone and bring a feel-good atmosphere to home games – something that has been missing for a while.
The other potential advantage to hiring the 54-year-old is that, according to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs, the Argentine is even open to managing Spurs in the Championship should the worst happen, depending on the deal.
That proves his commitment to Tottenham, and the appointment is a no-brainer for the senior chiefs as they look to get fans back onside.
Rangers have set their sights on Hull City goalkeeper Ivor Pandur and are preparing a swap deal for the Croatian, according to Alan Nixon.
Pandur has emerged as a target as the Gers look to add a senior shot-stopper to new manager Derek McInnes’ squad. They are said to have also explored a move for Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson, but are now focused on Hull’s number one.
The 26-year-old enjoyed a fine season with the Tigers, helping them earn promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs. He has been at MKM Stadium since January 2024 and has just one year left on his contract.
Rangers Ready Swap Deal For Pandur
Nixon claims on Patreon that Rangers don’t want to pay Hull’s £10million asking price for Pandur. Instead, they are willing to send Jack Butland in the opposite direction.
The 33-year-old was Danny Rohl’s number one throughout last season, appearing 55 times across competitions. A player plus cash deal could appeal to the newly-promoted Premier League side.
Pandur is currently on international duty with Croatia at the World Cup but could be on the move during the tournament. McInnes will expect to be backed in the summer transfer window, and the Croat could be the first of many new faces to arrive at Ibrox.
Crystal Palace are reportedly eyeing Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell as a potential Maxence Lacroix replacement, according to Alan Nixon.
Lacroix looks likely to be headed for the exit door at Selhurst Park as Chelsea look to sign the French centre-back. Fabrizio Romano reports that the west London outfit have started talks to bring the 26-year-old to Stamford Bridge.
Palace sold Marc Guehi to Manchester City in January for £20m, and losing Lacroix will be a massive blow. He’s been a rock in central defence ever since arriving from VfL Wolfsburg in August 2024 for £18m.
Newly-appointed Eagles boss Pierre Sage will have been keen on working with the player who earned a call-up to France’s squad for the World Cup. Steve Parish’s transfer chiefs appear to be putting plans in place to try to deal with his exit and could turn to Cresswell.
New Crystal Palace boss is a big fan of Cresswell
Nixon reports on his Patreon that Palace are “looking into a deal for Cresswell” and Sage is a “big fan.” He’ll have come up against the former Leeds United man during his time coaching Lens and Lyon in Ligue 1.
Cresswell joined Toulouse from Leeds back in July 2024 for £3.8m, and he’s been a mainstay in the French team ever since. Last season, he made 32 appearances across competitions, even posting four goals and three assists.
Palace could sign the former England U21 international “if the price is right,” and he’s viewed as an ideal replacement for Lacroix. His powerful profile and “warrior” playing style could be a good fit.
Palace may not reinvest Lacroix money at all
There is a possibility that the South London outfit sticks with their current options. Chadi Riad has been excellent since returning from injury and has been a standout performer for Morocco at the World Cup.
Jaydee Canvot stepped up following Guehi’s departure and earned a regular starting berth in Oliver Glasner’s side. He partnered Lacroix and the always consistent Chris Richards in defence.
Cresswell could be a solid addition to Sage’s squad, but shouldn’t be viewed as a priority. A previous report from The Athletic claims that Toulouse values the player at around £26m after rebuffing an offer from Wolfsburg in January.
Palace could be aided by their relationship with the Ligue 1 club, from whom they signed Canvot last summer. They paid £23m for the young French centre-back and might be able to draw on prior business between the two clubs.
Tottenham have received a big boost in their reported bid to land a statement Premier League deal this summer. Spurs have been one of the busiest teams in the summer transfer window so far, snapping up four new signings already, including Martin Dubravka, who is their latest signing.
Roberto De Zerbi wants a whole new look to his Tottenham squad, and few can blame him, given how poorly Spurs have performed in the last two Premier League campaigns. There is a real ‘enough is enough’ feel to this particular Tottenham recruitment drive, and money will continue to be spent over the coming weeks and months.
Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali has emerged as one of Tottenham’s top targets in this window. In fact, Spurs have already seen a £75million offer for the Italian rejected, with Newcastle holding out for something between £80million and £90million.
There were reports doing the rounds that Tonali would prefer a move elsewhere as he looks to play Champions League football, but according to a fresh report from Sky Sports News. that is not the case.
According to the report, Tonali is, in fact, ready to join Tottenham, as long as they can reach a deal with a current club. It’s reported the midfielder is keen to play for De Zerbi, and he is said to have been offered £275,000-per-week to make the move to Hotspur Way.
Why do Tottenham want Tonali?
via Reuters
Tottenham are willing to spend big money to land Tonali, and that’s because they know they would be getting a proven Premier League player who is capable of playing in just about any midfield. De Zerbi wants this Spurs side to be dominant and attacking, and that’s what Tonali brings.
The Italian is an aggressive player whose game revolves around winning the ball back as quick as possible and driving up the pitch. Described as ‘fast’ and a ‘complete midfielder’ who is able to play as a six, eight and a 10 by The Athletic, Tonali – pardon the pun – is a tone-setting midfielder who demands those around him to play with an attacking mindset.
He is not the player for a more patient and structured team, but that is not how De Zerbi wants this Spurs team to play. He wants front-footed football, and Tonali can help make that happen.
