Igor Tudor Takes the Reigns at Tottenham
Croatian coach Igor Tudor has taken interim charge of Tottenham Hotspur after Thomas Frank was sacked earlier this week. Frank left the club in 16th place just five points above the relegation places, leaving Spurs with no choice but to sack their Danish manager. Tottenham were looking for a coach with a track record of producing an instant turnaround in form and Tudor does have previous experience of doing exactly that. Tudor, who got 55 caps for Croatia as a player, took charge of both Lazio and Juventus at similar stages of the last two seasons and was able to turn their fortunes around quickly. His latest stint as a head coach was at Juventus after finishing fourth at the end of last season he was given a two-year contract, however was sacked four months later. Tudor does have plenty of coaching experience, since 2013 he’s worked at clubs such as Galatasaray, Udinese and Marseille along with the aforementioned Lazio and Juventus. It’s a tough start to life at Spurs for the Croatian as his first game is the North London derby against Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on 22nd February. He also has a trip to Anfield to play Liverpool and the first leg of the Champions League last 16 tie within his first five games in charge. Spurs will be hoping Tudor can produce what he has in Serie A over the past few years and pull them out of the position they’re in before they fall into serious contention of relegation. Read our article detailing Thomas Frank’s departure from Tottenham here: https://snnsports.co.uk/thomas-frank-sacked-as-tottenham-hotspur-manager/
Thomas Frank Sacked as Tottenham Hotspur Manager
Tottenham Hotspur have announced that manager Thomas Frank has been sacked after just eight months in charge. Frank was given the position in June 2025 after Ange Postecoglou was sacked just weeks after winning the Europa League with Spurs. Frank leaves the club in 16th position in the Premier League with 29 points after 26 games, far away from where the club expect themselves to be. Despite some good results in Europe and wins over Manchester City and Everton, there have just been too many poor results to keep Frank in the job for the Spurs board. What happened to be the final straw for the club board was last night’s 1-2 home loss to Newcastle United. In a statement the club said: “results and performances have led the Board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary.” As we head into the last few months an interim as the club looks for the next man to try and make them a force in the Premier League again. Early favourites to take over include Robert de Zerbi who has today left French club Marseille, John Heitinga currently head coach of Ajax, and sensationally Mauricio Pochettino is tipped to make a potential return after spending five years there from 2014-2019.
Gaps Plugged but is it Enough? – Rangers Transfer Window Review
Rangers had a fairly busy but certainly expensive January transfer window, spending £12million, more than any other club in the league. They’ve strengthened in areas that were needed and will hope that it will be enough to give them the boost towards the league title. Looking over the four players they did sign, you can evaluate their chances of hitting their target of a first league title since 2020/21. Tochi Chukwuani Chukwuani came to Rangers early in the window for around £3.5million, filling a pivotal part of the Rangers squad playing in the number six position. Nico Raskin had been filling in that part of the Rangers team, but with little success, and is clearly more suited to a number eight, box-to-box type of midfield role. Chukwuani can play that role much more efficiently, sweeping across the back line to cover gaps defensively, and he may prove invaluable during the run-in of the season. Tuur Rommens The Belgian U-21 international signed from Westerloo in the Belgian Pro League, managed by former Rangers coach Issame Charaï. Left back was another position Rangers were short in cover, as the only natural left back they had was Jayden Meghoma, and it’s not viable to expect to win a league with just one player for any position. As modern full-backs go, his real strengths come from attacking. However, Rommens, from his left back position, enjoys making runs into the inside left channel, something Rangers have been missing for a while. It adds another dimension to the Rangers’ attack that they can use to break stubborn defences down. Andreas Skov Olsen The Danish international winger has joined from Wolfsburg to a lot of fanfare. He was on fire at Club Brugge, but his move to Germany hasn’t worked out as he expected. Here you have a player who will be desperate to get his form back, not just for his new club but for his nation’s World Cup playoffs in March. A left-footed winger who can play on both wings but seems to prefer the right wing to cut inside and get shots away, he can beat players in 1v1 situations. He definitely can be a game-changer and is also the most exciting of the Rangers’ signings of this window. Ryan Naderi Rangers were left to sweat until the final minutes of the window to get Naderi in the door. It was of great importance for them to get a striker in as Bojan Miovski and Youssef Chermiti haven’t hit the goal-scoring heights needed to be the number nine Rangers require. Naderi has eight goals and four assists in 18 games for Hansa Rostock in the 3. Liga, the third tier of German football. Despite the seemingly low level he’s come from, you’d back fellow German and Rangers head coach Danny Röhl to know whether or not Naderi is worth the reported €5.5million (£4.7million) to bring him in now instead of in the summer, like Rostock were insisting. If he gets going, he could be pivotal if the Rangers are to win the league. This transfer window can be seen as a relative success. Being really picky, you’d maybe think Rangers are short of a creative midfielder, as Thelo Aasgaard has struggled to really prove himself so far, and a central defender, as injury-prone John Souttar, currently injured, Derek Cornelius and struggling Nasser Djiga could use extra help. However, the areas Rangers did strengthen were very necessary and should stand Rangers in good stead as the Scottish Premiership title race looks to be going to the wire.
Rangers Finally Get Their Man Naderi
As the clock ticked down to the final seconds of the transfer window, Rangers finally announced the signing of German striker Ryan Naderi from 3.Liga club Hansa Rostock. The 22-year-old striker has 12 goal involvements in the 18 games he’s played in Germany’s third tier this season. Danny Röhl would have been desperate to get a striker in as goals from open play have been scarce for Rangers, with a big reason for that being a lack goals from strikers. With Youssef Chermiti and Bojan Miovski unable to be that focal point in the Rangers attack, Röhl will be hoping Naderi can bring his good form to Ibrox. With a reported fee of €5.5million, much higher than originally expected, it’s believed the extra money is to make sure Rangers get their man now instead of the summer. Hansa Rostock were adamant that the striker stayed with them until the summer, as they are currently in a fight to get promoted to Bundesliga 2 in Germany. However, Rangers in their hunt for the Scottish Premiership title, Andrew Cavanagh and the 49ers Enterprises have put their hands in their pockets to get their man in this window. This is the most expensive transfer out of the third tier of German football ever, and Naderi will have a lot of pressure on his shoulders. However, with Danny Röhl’s knowledge of German football, it’s obvious the Rangers boss has faith in his new acquisition.
Hibernian 0-0 Rangers: Both Teams Fire Blanks in the Capital
A blow to Rangers title hopes as they lose ground on Hearts at the top of the table as they played out an entertaining scoreless draw with Hibernian. Hibs came into this one off the back of a few poor results against Falkirk and in the cup against Dunfermline, with only two wins in their last five. Rangers are on a run of seven wins domestically and only lost their first game in nine away to Porto midweek as they were looking to continue their title push. There were two changes for Hibs as they looked to bounce back from a 4-1 loss at Falkirk, now departed Kieron Bowie and Jamie McGrath dropped out for Elle Youan and Joe Newell. As for Rangers they made five changes from the midweek loss to Porto, James Tavernier, Max Aarons, Nasser Djiga, Mohammed Diomande and now away Findlay Curtis are out for Dujon Sterling, Andreas Skov Olson, Tochi Chukwuani, Thelo Aasgaard and John Souttar. First action came for Rangers, a good ball from Djedi Gassama found Aasgaard in space on the edge of the area, but his shot was blocked for a Rangers corner. That corner was a good one onto the head of John Souttar, but his header flew over the bar and Hibs received a goal kick. As we reached the mid-way point of the first half, Rangers were consolidating possession but lacked directness in their play, Hibs were defending well but struggled to really test the Rangers defence. First real chance for Hibs came when Youan got a good cross in for Hibs skipper Joe Newell who found himself in space near the penalty spot, but his header went wide. Youan again looking lively as he beat Souttar to a high ball he managed to get into the area but his shot was beaten away by Rangers keeper Jack Butland Butland again was called into action after a good run by sub Kai Andrews found Youan and the Rangers keeper tipped the ball over the bar. A great ball in by Gassama was played back across goal by Skov Olsen and it had Jack Iredale panicking but the Hibs defender was able to clear before any Rangers players arrived. A good free kick in by Jordan Obita was cleared by the Rangers defence for a corner as Martin Boyle was lurking to try and get his toe on it. A ball through to Boyle is missed by Emmanuel Fernandez and he was through one on one with Butland but the keeper was able to save. Another Hibs chance followed as some good play finally released Obita on the left and his cross got to Youan at the back post and his header was wide when it really should have been a lot better. First shot of the second half came from Rangers as Fernandez wins the ball on the edge of the area and his deflected shot goes way over for a corner. Another headed chance for Hibs and Youan went over the bar once again after good running from Boyle kept the move alive. Another shot from outside the box from Fernandez is deflected and this time Raphael Salinger has to knock it behind for another corner. Good running from new signing Dane Scarlett won Hibs a first corner of the second half as they tried to put Rangers under some pressure again. Mikey Moore had the ball in the net but the flag went up, after a VAR review the decision was upheld and it stayed 0-0. Hibs went straight up the park after that and managed to get a shot away with Kanayo Megwa but Jack Butland was able to catch. As we went into the last 10 the game had opened up and both teams were attacking with intensity knowing one goal would likely win it. After a counter attack the ball fell to another new HIbs player Owen Elding but his shot was easy for Butland. Nedim Bajrami got the ball a bit of space and shaped to shoot, but his shot went way over the goal. Hibs win a corner in the last minute as Scarlett has a close range chance blocked by Souttar but the corner comes to nothing. A spectacular last minute overhead kick attempt by Bojan Miovski was saved by Raphael Salinger as the final whistle was blown. Next up for Hibs is another home game, this time they face Dundee United on Wednesday night where they’ll look to finally get back to winning ways. As for Rangers they’re also at home on Wednesday night against Kilmarnock who won their first game since the 4th October this weekend. Hibernian Raphael Salinger, Grant Hanley (Nicky Cadden 70), Elle Youan (Dane Scarlett 70), Martin Boyle (Owen Elding 66), Joe Newell (Rudi Molotnikov 66), Miguel Chaiwa (Kai Andrews 10), Jack Iredale, Jordan Obita, Dan Barlaser, Kanayo Megwa, Rocky Bushiri. Rangers Jack Butland, John Souttar, Andreas Skov Olsen (Nedim Bajrami 70), Youssef Chermiti, Thelo Aasgaard (Bojan Miovski 86), Dujon Sterling (Max Aarons 86), Djedi Gassama (Mikey Moore 56), Jayden Meghoma, Emmanuel Fernandez, Tochi Chuckwuani (Mohammed Diomande 70), Nicolas Raskin.
Dunfermline 0-2 Airdrieonians Match Report
Dunfermline host Airdrie in the Scottish Championship as Dunfermline continue to chase promotion and Airdrie hope to avoid relegation. Dunfermline came into this one off the back of two big wins as a last minute goal meant they knocked Premiership side Hibernian out of the Scottish cup and they also handed league leaders St Johnstone their first home loss of the season. Airdrie despite their league position went on a five game undefeated run until a tight 1-0 loss against fellow strugglers Ross County but they had given themselves reason to hope under new boss Aaron Taylor-Sinclair. There was just the one change for Dunfermline from the team that beat St Johnstone, Tashan Oakley-Boothe had dropped out for captain Chris Hamilton. There were two changes for Airdrie from the team that lost that game against Ross County, Aidan Wilson and Charlie McArthur came in to replace Sean McGinty and Craig Ross. The first chance fell to Dunfermline as Andrew Tod had a free kick from around 25 yards out, however he struck the ball straight in the Airdrie wall. It would be Airdrie who took the lead as the ball somehow bounced over keeper Deniz Mehmet and into the net from a Euan Henderson free kick. Good running by Robbie Fraser as he got a cross into the box but Airdrie keeper Harry Stone was able to grab it before Zak Rudden could get on the end of it. Jamie Barjonas tried to barge his way through the Dunfermline back line until Fraser managed to get a block in and send it for a corner. A good counter attack from Airdrie stretched the Dunfermline defence and the ball fell to Charlie McArthur who couldn’t sort his feet out in time and ended up sending his effort wide of goal. A chance for Dunfermline as a recycled corner fell to Rudden and then Callumn Morrison whose curling left foot shot went just the wrong side of the post. Another good cross by Fraser on the Dunfermline left was met by the head of Andrew Tod but his header was straight into the hands of Stone Andrew Tod again got into a good position and got his low cross into Zak Rudden who missed the ball but it fell to Matty Tod and his shot was saved by Stone. The ball immediately fell to Chris Hamilton and his shot was well hit but over the bar as Dunfermline continued to look for the equaliser. Hamilton again found himself in space but his shot was poor and cannoned off his team and into the arms of Stone once again. First action of the second half was a sending off for Dunfermline as Chris Mochrie was running through on goal and was hauled back by Hamilton who gave referee Peter Stuart no choice but to send him off. Another great move by Morrison, Fraser and finally a shot by Rudden but again Stone in the Airdrie goal stops Dunfermline from getting that equaliser. A good one-two on the edge of the box from Mochrie and Charlie Telfer ends in a fairly tame shot by Telfer that was easily saved by Mehmet. A decent strike from outside the box by substitute Olly Thomas was again well saved by Harry Stone. A long ball saw Mochrie in behind again for Airdrie but he dragged his shot well wide of the post. A fantastic cross from sub Graham Carey flew straight through the penalty area and had to be knocked behind for another Dunfermline corner as they kept the pressure on Airdrie. Another chance for Dunfermline again as this time it was Kieran Ngwanya who had his effort saved by Stone. A second goal for Airdrie as substitute Lewis McGrattan scores with just under 10 minutes remaining with a fantastic strike down to the keepers right, surely wrapping up the three points for the Diamonds. One final chance for Airdrie as Lewis Strapp his a fantastic volley that bounced off the top of the net and almost capped of a great win. Dunfermline Athletic Deniz Mehmet, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen (Alfons Amade, 78), Kieran Ngwenya, Chris Hamilton (sent off, 53), Charlie Gilmour, Zak Rudden (Shea Kearney, 65), Matty Tod (Olly Thomas, 65), Nurudeen Abdulai, Andrew Tod (Graham Carey, 65), Callumn Morrison, Robbie Fraser (Chris Kane, 78). Airdrieonians Harry Stone, Dylan MacDonald, Lewis Strapp, Aidan Wilson (Craig Ross, 40), Dean McMaster, Chris Mochrie (Robbie Mahon, 72), Euan Henderson, Charlie McArthur, Jamie Barjonas (Dom Thomas, 72), Charlie Telfer (Lewis McGrattan, 72), Cole McKinnon (Gavin Gallagher, 87). Henderson (13), McGrattan (82)
