Latest news with #GordonSmart
Daily Mail
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Thomas Frank's 'charisma' will guide Tottenham to a top five Premier League finish next season, broadcaster Gordon Smart predicts on Mail podcast
A revitalised Tottenham Hotspur under former Brentford manager Thomas Frank will break into the Premier League 's top five next season, broadcaster Gordon Smart has predicted. Speaking to Mark Clattenburg on the Mail's Whistleblowers podcast, Smart claimed that the 'charisma and personality' of Frank, coupled with some shrewd summer transfer business, could see Spurs rebound back amongst the league's elite sides. Under Australian manager Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham endured a disastrous league campaign last term, finishing just above the relegation zone in seventeenth. The club have now turned to Danish manager Frank, who has built a solid reputation at Brentford for developing difficult to beat teams on a limited budget. Adding to a sense of renewed optimism, Tottenham have been active in the summer transfer window, spending a club record £120 million on Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel and Croatian defensive prodigy Luka Vuskovic. 'I have a funny feeling about Tottenham this year', Smart told the podcast. 'I don't know whether this is controversial, but I believe Tottenham could crack fifth – based purely on the personality and charisma of Thomas Frank. 'I think Frank will galvanise the fans and they've made some good business this summer. If they can crack on, it's achievable. 'I felt Ange just threw it away deliberately at Christmas last year. It became all about staying up with a focus on Europe. 'Bear in mind too, Heung Min Son was injured a lot of last season. His game is reliant on being so fit and quick. That's apparently back and he's one of the best strikers in the league.' Former referee Clattenburg was sceptical of Gordon's prediction, arguing that while Frank could make Spurs 'more structured', going from 17th to fifth in one season is a mountain to climb. 'Tottenham have never recovered from losing Harry Kane's goals, Son isn't the same type of player. 'Whilst I get the new manager bounce and Frank's tactical nous, I can't see them going from 17th to fifth.' Special guest and Chelsea influencer Rory Jennings was incredulous, calling Smart's analysis 'absolutely wild'. Jennings said: 'They have missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White, Son, even if he gets back to full fitness, will probably never be the same player again. 'Seriously, if Thomas Frank takes Tottenham to fifth, he will be named manager of the year.' Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White had a deal agreed with Tottenham before their owner, Evangelos Marinkas threatened legal action to block the move. Gibbs-White now seems firmly off the table, signing a bumper new deal with Forest to keep him at the club for the next season. Smart then doubled down on his bold prediction, believing Tottenham's rivals like Newcastle and Aston Villa will suffer drops in form. Both Newcastle and Villa have had difficult transfer windows, with their spending hamstrung by FFP (Financial Fair Play). 'Look at the teams around Tottenham for that seventh, eight spot. I think Spurs will surprise people – just wait and see.' To catch the full Premier League predictions episode, search for Whistleblowers now, wherever you get your podcasts.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE This City is Ours star James Nelson-Joyce addresses James Bond rumours on new Mail football podcast
Actor James Nelson-Joyce said 'he'd love to be' the first scouse James Bond on a new Mail football podcast. Speaking to Whistleblowers, hosted by broadcaster Gordon Smart, former referee Mark Clattenburg, and Mail Football Editor Ian Ladyman, Nelson-Joyce, 36, described himself as 'not one of those cool actors' who deny wanting the legendary role. Daniel Craig stepped down as James Bond after five films, with his final appearance in the role being 2021's No Time to Die. Amazon has since acquired the rights to make the next Bond film, with various young British actors rumoured to be in talks to take over from Craig. 'Anyone would want to play James Bond', James told the new podcast. 'I am not one of these cool actors who say: 'Ooh I don't know.' I would love to do it. With James Bond though, there's a lot more that comes into it. It's that next, next level. James, from Liverpool, is known for playing villainous characters in popular television shows like The Nest and Time. He recently starred in a new crime drama, This City Is Ours, which follows a power struggle among crime families in Liverpool. James appeared alongside Stephen Graham in the series and recently credited his co-star, also from Liverpool, for kickstarting his career. The proud scouser has emerged as a surprise contender to take over the Bond role after the runaway success of the BBC show. Co-host Gordon Smart asked the actor whether he would bring a 'Merseyside twang' to the part. 'That's exactly what I would do, yeah', James replied. He jokingly performed some of Bond's classic lines in a thick Liverpudlian accent on the Mail podcast. The bookies give James a 6/1 chance to star in the next Bond film, speculated to release in 2026. James revealed that his dream role would be to play Manchester United icon George Best in a biopic of his life. Asked why, James said: 'I am football mad - and he was an amazing player. But he was also a legend off the pitch, probably the first celebrity footballer. 'He was this loner character, Miss Worlds throwing themselves at him. Everyone wanted to have a beer with him – but nobody really cared about him. 'There's an incredible story somewhere in there – if you found the right writer.' Whistleblowers is a brand-new football podcast, brought to you by The Mail in association with Wickes TradePro. From what really goes on in the referee's room, to how clubs spin crises and who's pulling the strings behind the scenes - Whistleblowers brings the inside stories only those at the heart of the game can tell.
