Latest news with #Ex-Tottenham
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jose Mourinho makes Daniel Levy feelings clear with Tottenham comments
Tottenham won the Europa League last week and former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho has suggested that chairman Daniel Levy will be more pleased about Champions League qualification rather than the trophy Ex-Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has aimed a dig at Daniel Levy following Spurs' Europa League triumph. Mourinho's former team beat another of his previous employers, Manchester United, 1-0 in Bilbao last Wednesday. The win ended Tottenham's 17-year trophy drought and rescued a catastrophic season for the club. Ange Postecoglou's side finished 17th in the Premier League, directly above the relegation zone, marking their worst top-flight campaign since 1977. Spurs' dismal form coincided with protests against chairman Levy from angry supporters. The much-maligned chief axed Mourinho back in 2021 just days before Tottenham were due to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. Mourinho has managed two clubs since but he's clearly not forgotten Levy's ruthless decision to sack him. The 62-year-old, who's now in charge of Turkish giants Fenerbahce, told Sky Sports: "The impact is obvious, Tottenham plays Champions League and of course for Mr Levy, the millions that the Champions League gives for him is the best news. "For the fans, for the players, for Ange, it's a title." It's not the first time that Mourinho has taken a swipe at Levy. "The most ridiculous [sacking] was a club that has an empty trophy room sacks me two days before a final. That was the one that was... come on," the Portuguese said on the Obi One Podcast in 2023. "Tottenham have never won for 50 years. I don't remember when. I am two days before a final and I couldn't do the final. It's the one which doesn't smell well. Mourinho added: "I had a plan but sometimes it doesn't work. But the reality is every time I went to Wembley with Chelsea I won. I went there with Man United three times, I won twice. "So the record was good. It was a stadium and atmosphere which I dominate well, because when you go into these big matches you need to feel comfortable, you cannot go to these matches and feel the stadium is too big. "I had the experience to try and help the team but the final was against Man City so I would be an idiot right now to say we would have won. But a few weeks before that, we won against them 2-0 at our stadium, so the feeling was positive. But it is what it is."
Metro
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
'He's got some engine!' - Gascoigne praises Man Utd star ahead of Spurs showdown
Ex-Tottenham star Paul Gascoigne has singled out Bruno Fernandes for praise ahead of the Europa League final, calling the midfielder an 'extra manager' on the pitch for Manchester United. Fernandes has once again been United's standout performer throughout an otherwise dismal season in the Premier League, with the 30-year-old racking up eight goals and nine assists in 35 games. The Portugal international has also been instrumental in the Red Devils' journey to this year's Europa League final, netting seven times and registering four assists across the campaign. But individual stats will mean little to Fernandes should United suffer defeat to Tottenham this evening, with Champions League qualification on the line in Bilbao. United are guaranteed to finish with their lowest-ever points total in the league this term and tonight's all-English affair at the San Mames Stadium represents a chance for Ruben Amorim and his squad to save their season. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Previewing the eagerly anticipated match for Tribal Football, England and Spurs hero Gascoigne picked out United captain Fernandes as a player who would likely play a decisive role. 'I like him. He's got some engine and I like when he's playing,' Gascoigne said. 'He's also organising players and telling them where to go. It's like having an extra manager, but he's on the pitch! 'He scores some great goals and he really gets around the pitch. 'Both teams need to win this competition, I think just for a bit of a buzz.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Gascoigne, who won the FA Cup with Tottenham in 1991, hopes to see Ange Postecoglou backed by his former club should they come out on top in Bilbao. 'I think so [Postecoglou should keep his job],' he added. 'I think he will be relying on that. He might have been told already to go and look for another club now because he might getting the sack. So it's not going good for him, bless him. 'I think some of the players have let him down.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Pressed for specific names, Gascoigne responded: 'I just think the whole team in general. 'I think the whole team can hold their hands up, they've had a bad season.' More Trending Gascoigne has been stunned to see United and Spurs struggle to such an extent in the Premier League this term, with the clubs languishing down in 16th and 17th respectively. 'I just can't believe it. Even Manchester United doing so bad too, just wow,' he continued. 'Now, I really try not to watch much football these days because I still miss it. 'But when I look at the league tables and things, I can't believe it.' Who will win the Europa League? For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Does Ange Postecoglou actually 'always win things' in his second season? MORE: Man United and Tottenham fans in violent clash before Europa League final MORE: When was the last time Tottenham won a trophy and how many have they won?
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'The best performance under Amorim'
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson declared Manchester United's performance against Athletic Bilbao as "the best under Ruben Amorim" after they won 3-0 in their Europa League semi-final first told BBC Radio 5 Live: "They were excellent - granted they were playing against 10 men - but they still had to do a job. From that point Manchester United completely controlled the game."There's no way a team of Manchester United's stature should lose 15 games in a Premier League season. When things like that happen, criticism will come but there's no way you can criticise them for the way they've played in this Europa League."They're still the only team unbeaten in the Europa League. If only they played on a Thursday night every night."Ex-Tottenham and Aston Villa winger Andros Townsend agreed, stating United were already starting to exert their authority when Athletic had a man sent off."Bilbao started the game the better and it was only when Casemiro gave United the lead that the tide turned," said Townsend."The game had turned just before the red card happened. Manchester United learned the lesson that they almost suffered against Lyon. There were no risks - a very professional performance."
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Mikel Arteta told one Arsenal change he must make for PSG semi-final - 'Massive doubts'
Arsenal progressed to the semi-final of the Champions League by defeating Real Madrid but the fixture contained a moment Mikel Arteta should quickly learn from says Ben Foster Mikel Arteta should have severe doubts over whether to allow Bukayo Saka to take penalties after his miss against Real Madrid, according to former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster. The ex-Manchester United shotstopper has blasted the Gunners star's failed attempt at the Bernabeu. Saka was awarded a fine chance to extend Arsenal's lead to 4-0 on aggregate in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash. But the England star's tame spot-kick was easily saved by Thibaut Courtois. The poor effort did not cost Arteta's side as Saka went on to find the net as Arsenal progressed to the semi-final of the competition. But Foster believes that the penalty should live long in the memory of the north London side's boss. Ex-Tottenham and Real Madrid ace Rafael van der Vaart suggested Saka was a 'disgrace' and that the 23-year-old made a "total overestimation of himself. In the sense of: 'I'm going to steal the show here'." Foster it seems, is inclined to agree with that stance. "I ain't trying to dink Thibaut Courtois! It's one of the s***est penalties I've ever seen. It is so s***," Foster said on his YouTube channel. "I half agree with the comment [from Van der Vaart] because, at that moment in time, I think Bukayo Saka has got a little bit carried away with himself and he's tried to show off. He has tried to show off when in reality, if he puts that ball in the back of the net, the game is done. "It's 10 minutes into the game. Put that ball in the back of the net and the game is done." "If I'm one of those other Arsenal players, I'm going up to him after that penalty and going, 'Get your head in the game, k***head, don't do silly s*** like this!'… I don't want my player to be doing that," Foster added. "I don't mind a player missing the target if he's absolutely gone for it. If the goalie makes a world-class save, you put your hands up, but it wasn't a world-class save." Foster would prefer to see Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard take the responsibility. The YouTuber replied: "Martin Odegaard, somebody where you go, 'Yeah, go on then!', just put the ball in the back of the net. "That would cast massive doubts now if I'm the Arsenal manager and Bukayo Saka's going to be doing that."
