The Premier League continues to bring drama on and off the pitch. Managerial changes, transfer hunts and internal tensions shape the story across England’s top clubs as the season moves into a crucial phase.
From Tottenham’s bold gamble with Igor Tudor to Manchester United’s change of approach under Michael Carrick, clubs are looking for stability and dynamism. Meanwhile, the fierce rivalry extends beyond matchday as Arsenal and Spurs battle it out in the transfer market.
Elsewhere, Newcastle’s problems raise structural concerns, while individual stories across the league highlight how fragile careers and projects can be. Here’s a detailed look at the latest developments.
CAN IGOR TUDOR SAVE TOTTENHAM?
Tottenham Hotspur’s management decided three weeks ago that unless there was a dramatic turnaround in results, they would sack Thomas Frank. The results did not improve enough and showed him the exit door. Igor Tudor has already been well scouted by the recruitment department and Tottenham have built a thick file on the Croatian. What appealed to them the most was the way he had previously moved to clubs and brought rapid improvement in player performance. Both Juventus and Lazio benefited from Tudor’s playing expertise and saw an upturn in results that unfortunately did not last. He eventually resigned from Lazio and was sacked by Juventus.
He said this week: “It’s an honor to join Tottenham at an important time and I understand the responsibility I’ve been given. My focus is clear: to bring more consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every game.”
That conviction has been lacking in Thomas Frank’s last few games and things got worse when he fell out with Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence, both of whom are highly regarded by the club’s hierarchy.
Tudor has managed 10 clubs in 13 years, which has worried some Tottenham supporters who think he won’t be big enough for a high-profile club like Spurs. He claims that although he has managed many clubs, few, if any, match Tottenham. However, the official fan club has vowed to loudly welcome him to the game this weekend.
Tudor believes Tottenham already have the players capable of moving out of the relegation zone and up the table, and this week he immediately appointed four new assistants to join him. This weekend will prove to be a tough challenge and I doubt it has seen as intense a rivalry as the north London derby against Arsenal.
Tudor said he would like the job permanently, but whether he gets a chance will be determined by results. Tottenham said he was in the game. The club is also in contact with former boss Mauricio Pochettino, and his current position with the US national team ends after the World Cup. Roberto De Zerbi has left Marseille and both Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner are out of contracts this summer. All are considered.
CARRICK RAISES THE FREEDOM OF BAN PLAYER AMORIM
During Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Old Trafford, he banned mid-season breaks after Casemiro and Marcus Rashford flew to America to hang out with friends. Interim manager Michael Carrick is trying to lift the spirits of the team and is doing everything to give the players more freedom.
United enjoyed a 13-day break after being knocked out of the FA Cup and Carrick lifted Amorim’s ban to allow the players to spend some time off and return to training in the right frame of mind.
Goalkeeper Senne Lammens has decided to return to his former club Royal Antwerp on loan. He was wearing Belgian national clothes and posted a photo as he visited his old friends.
Club captain Bruno Fernandes decided to return to his home in Portugal and watched a local football match.
ARSENAL ENTER TOTTENHAM
Arsenal and Tottenham go head-to-head this weekend with the fierce rivals in for another battle off the pitch.
Both clubs are pursuing the signature of Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka. Tottenham led the race but now it looks uncertain to move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Arsenal are in a better position to offer Goretzka what he is looking for.
Both the Bayern player and his agents studied the position of both clubs. While the Gunners can potentially bid for Champions League football and even a Premier League winners’ medal next season, Spurs could be relegated unless Igor Tudor can turn the club around from their precarious position.
Both clubs have instructed their scouting agents and recruitment teams to monitor the situation closely and keep the hierarchy informed.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has been widely rumored to leave in the summer after a difficult season, with Manchester United discussing the possibility of bringing him to Old Trafford with Michael Carrick. To underline the maturity he has shown since taking over from United, Carrick agreed that the club should assess how Mac Allister would fit into the playing set-up. He has also shown interest in Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.
EZE SHOWS HIS PALACE CONFIDENCE
Mikel Arteta was delighted with Eberechi Eze’s performance against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup. Eze did not enjoy the same excellence he achieved at Crystal Palace. Arteta said Eze’s two superb assists had hopefully unlocked his confidence and he was ready to step up and deliver Kai Havertz-type balls to allow Jesus, Martinelli, Madueke and Bukayo Saka to find the net.
His vision in the FA Cup match was a joy to admire. Whether Eze has regained his old confidence at Palace remains to be seen against tougher opposition, but Arteta certainly believes he has.
He said: “It already plays a big role. These creative players need to feel that they are producing those magic moments.”
Arteta added that he was pleased when Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka – a late replacement for Riccardo Calafiori – fitted into a three-striker formation as they thrashed Wigan 4-0.
WHY DID NEWCASTLE GET IT ALL WRONG?
This week I traveled to Newcastle, 300 miles north-east of London, to find out why Eddie Howe’s side are blowing hot and cold and why consistency has become a real problem.
Many supporters have turned to Howe in recent times, but my findings reflect a different story at St James’ Park.
Newcastle’s problems began when sporting director Paul Mitchell quit. He was a vital part of the club’s set-up and much of his work was pushed onto Howe’s shoulders when he should have been concentrating solely on team training, scouting and opposition selection. The club was then involved in difficult transfer decisions and when the chief executive left it meant even more work for Howe.
Alexander Isak came on strike and the Magpies had to look for new talent to match the striker’s prodigious scoring. Brentford’s Yoane Wissa was selected but his move was hampered by injury.
Many insiders believe a chaotic summer of poor recruitment and a £240m spending spree is at the heart of the problem. This huge expenditure did not bring about the necessary improvements.
More clearly, Sven Botman is close to playing his best football and Howe believes he will strengthen after signing a new contract. Howe is also looking to extend the contracts of Kieran Trippier and Fabian Schar before they expire in June.
Howe said this week: “I think Sven has always been the type of player who is fully committed and I’ve never seen him get distracted. But when you have certainty about your future, it can give you satisfaction and allow you to focus on what’s really important.”
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
February 20, 2026