Harry Kane’s future and uniting Spurs dressing room – tasks for Ange Postecoglou
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
1970-01-01 08:00
Ford recalls over 125,000 SUVs, trucks over fire risk - NHTSA
Ford Motor Co is recalling more than 125,000 sport utility vehicles and trucks in the United States due
1970-01-01 08:00
Indianapolis Colts player Isaiah Rodgers Sr. says he takes 'full responsibility' amid reports of NFL probe into gambling violations
Indianapolis Colts player Isaiah Rodgers Sr. said he takes "full responsibility" while adding that he made an "error in judgment" after reports that he is being investigated by the NFL for possibly breaching the league's gambling policy.
1970-01-01 08:00
Outlasting two prime ministers: How did West Ham reach the Europa Conference League final?
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
1970-01-01 08:00
Kraken says systems operational after issue with crypto gateways
(Reuters) -Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken said on Tuesday that it had resolved an outage that affected several funding gateways including Bitcoin,
1970-01-01 08:00
European shares flat on rate-hike jitters; Novo Nordisk jumps
By Shreyashi Sanyal European shares were range-bound on Tuesday as worries of further interest rate hikes by major
1970-01-01 08:00
White House website highlights infrastructure as Biden pushes policy wins
The White House on Tuesday is starting a website to map and track tens of thousands of infrastructure projects and private manufacturing investments, an effort by the administration to show the impact of its policies on the U.S. economy
1970-01-01 08:00
Euro zone retail sales flat in April, with weaker food, fuel sales
BRUSSELS Retail sales in the euro zone were unchanged in April, Eurostat said on Tuesday, as consumers spent
1970-01-01 08:00
Sprinter Jim Hines, once the world's fastest man, dies at 76
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Jim Hines, who was the first man to run 100m in under 10 seconds, passed away on Saturday at the age of 76, according to World Athletics.
1970-01-01 08:00
French Unions Hold New Strikes Against Macron Pension Reform
French unions are holding a fresh day of strikes against Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform in a test of
1970-01-01 08:00
'The Little Mermaid' tanks in China and South Korea amid racist backlash from some viewers
"The Little Mermaid" has bombed with moviegoers in China and South Korea amid racist critiques in some quarters over the casting of Black actress Halle Bailey as main character Ariel.
1970-01-01 08:00
Steph Catley signs new Arsenal deal
Defender Steph Catley has signed a new deal with Arsenal, the Women’s Super League club have announced. The 29-year-old has made 74 appearances for the north London side since making her August 2020 debut as a substitute in Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final with Paris St Germain. Catley scored one goal and provided four assists across 32 appearances for Jonas Eidevall’s side this season and is a centurion for Australia having represented the Matildas at two World Cups and two Olympics. She said: “It feels amazing – this feels like home. I’ve made some incredible friendships here and when the offer came around I knew exactly what I wanted to do and exactly where I wanted to be. “I’ve never been happier playing football and I feel like this team is very special – we’re building something special and in the future we’re capable of achieving anything.” Catley joins Lia Walti and Frida Maanum on a growing list of Arsenal players who have chosen to extend their stay. Head coach Eidevall said: “I’m delighted Steph has signed a new contract with us. Steph is one of the best defenders in the game and brings so much to this group both on and off the pitch. “She’s a model professional and has delivered time and again when called upon throughout my time here, so we’re all pleased to say Steph will continue to be a part of Arsenal for years to come.” Head of women’s football Clare Wheatley added: “It’s great news that Steph has signed a new deal here at Arsenal. Steph is one of the top players in the world in her position and has been such a consistent performer in the time she has been here. She is a key part of this team and we’re delighted to say she will continue to wear the Arsenal colours moving forward.”
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