Good morning football fans. It’s Monday, Mar. 30 - Igor Tudor's time at Spurs becomes the fourth-shortest managerial reign in Premier League history, a fatal first match for the stadium set to host the World Cup opener, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.
TOP TALKING POINTS
Latest EPL Manager Departure
Tottenham have mutually agreed to part ways with interim head coach Igor Tudor after just 44 days, making his stint the fourth-shortest in Premier League history. The north London club are just one point above the relegation zone after winning just one point in five league games under Tudor, the worst record of any Premier League club during his spell in charge.
Spurs are reportedly looking to appoint former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, to the dismay of a supporter group. He most recently managed Marseille, though it’s believed he’d prefer to return to management in the summer. Another manager linked to the role, Sean Dyche, quashed rumours that he was in talks with Spurs.
Spurs are given a 25.8% chance of getting relegated this season, according to Opta’s prediction model. Wolves (99.9%) and Burnley (99.8%) are almost guaranteed to go down, while West Ham, just a point behind Spurs, are given a 58.5% chance of relegation. Tottenham face Sunderland (away), Brighton (home), Wolves (away), Aston Villa (away), Leeds (home), Chelsea (away), and Everton (home) in their remaining fixtures.
Opening Stadium Tragedy
A man died in Mexico City's newly renovated Estadio Azteca (Estadio Banorte), which is hosting the 2026 World Cup opener, after falling from a box seat area. The incident occurred during the Mexico-Portugal friendly on Saturday, which ended goalless and was intended to serve as a stress test for the venue. Authorities are collecting evidence to “accurately [reconstruct] the sequence of events” leading to the fan’s death.
The iconic stadium, which now has a capacity of 87,500, will host five World Cup matches, including the opener between Mexico and South Africa on June 11. The Azteca will become the first stadium ever to host three World Cup opening matches, having done so in 1970 and 1986.
Built in 1966, the Azteca has recently undergone “round-the-clock” renovations to improve pitch quality, enhance drainage, upgrade broadcast facilities, and improve accessibility. Dive deeper into the history of the Azteca Stadium here.
Multi-Club Model Collapse
The UK holding company of John Textor’s Eagle Football group has entered administration, leaving his multi-club model under threat, reports the Financial Times. The company is now under the control of administrators, Cork Gully, who are seeking buyers for Eagle Bidco’s majority stakes in Botafogo, Olympique Lyonnais, and RWDM Brussels. The clubs will continue to operate as normal.
Eagle’s main creditor, Ares Capital Corporation, forced the company into administration due to failures to file accounts and other financial statements on time. “We recognise the importance of Eagle Bidco’s role within the international football community and the concerns this news may cause for all stakeholders,” said Cork Gully managing partner Stephen Cork.
Textor, who was previously a minority owner of Crystal Palace, said the business is cash-flow positive, calling Ares’ decision “unilateral” and “predatory”. He has been seeking new investors to repay Ares, while also cutting costs and selling players, reports The Athletic. Last year, Textor was forced to hand over control of Lyon to Michele Kang after struggling to service high-interest loans from Ares.
POLL
Has the international break made you more or less confident about your country going into the World Cup?
ON THE BALL
See all the international friendlies results from across the weekend here.
Europe
> Ten Arsenal players have now withdrawn from international duty over this window, with Spain’s Martin Zubimendi the latest to leave his country’s camp (More)
> Barcelona plan to offer Robert Lewandowski, 37, a one-year deal with a pay cut and performance-based bonuses (More)
> Jermain Defoe has been named as National League side Woking’s new manager (More); watch Defoe coaching while completing his Uefa A license (Watch)
> Arsenal Women secured their 11th consecutive victory in all competitions with an Alessia Russo 22-minute hat-trick in a 5-2 win over Spurs in the WSL (More); see every WSL result (More) and table (More)
Americas
> USMNT and Belgium had a kit clash in their friendly match, which ended 5-2 in favour of Belgium (More) | Canada’s men’s national team drew 2-2 with Iceland and will play Tunisia in their second international friendly on Tuesday (Mar 31) (More)
> Inter Miami will name the east stand of its new stadium after Lionel Messi (More) | Miami have begun talks with Casemiro, who is set to leave Man United in the summer (More)
> Denver Summit’s debut home game set a new NWSL attendance record of 63,004 in a goalless draw with Washington Spirit (More); see every NWSL result (More) and standings (More)
> USL Championship’s Louisville City FC and Tampa Bay Rowdies are the only sides to remain flawless in the regular season; see every result (More) and Conference Standings (More)
Rest of the World
> The Intercontinental World Cup play-off finals have been set with Congo vs. Jamaica and Iraq vs. Bolivia; see dates and kick-off times (More)
> The general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has resigned after the decision to strip Senegal of their Afcon title and postpone the women’s tournament at the last minute (More)
ROUTERS’ VOICE
Friday’s Poll: Should international friendlies focus on experimentation or consolidating your best squad?
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🔄 Experimenting (55%)
🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ 💪 Best squad (41%)
🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (4%)
Your punditry takes:
🔄 D.W: “Friendlies give the manager the opportunity to look at fringe players against similar opponents.”
💪 S.D: “We are so close to the World Cup that teams that are competing should absolutely be fielding the players that they will use for the Cup. Nothing else makes sense.”
✍️ M.G: “Depends on where the friendlies fall in relation to major tournaments. Those fixtures leading up to tournaments should be more about consolidating the squad and establishing teamwork (with minor focus on evaluating the final squad pieces). But earlier in the cycle, it should open to experimentation and player evaluation.”
✍️ P.M.B: “Mixture of both. You want a good core group, but you also need to see what you have. You could be missing your next big hero if you don’t look at other players who could challenge for a spot.”
EXTRA TIME
All the facts about World Cup penalty shootouts.
Why Ugarte wasn’t sent off after receiving two yellows against England.
Football Manager superfan invited to manage real team.
Senegal parade Afcon trophy despite being stripped of title.
Fan sells his house to watch every England World Cup match.
Meet the team that plays all of its games tomorrow.
When football turned to penalties to end 'cruel' system.
FOX places Pulisic as the sixth-best player in the world.
GAME FACE ON
Question: Who is the only player to score in each of the past three World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022) and the past three European Championships (2016, 2020, 2024)?
Clue: This footballer has played for Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Lyon, and Chicago Fire, among others.
Scroll below for the answer.
Daily Wordle: Guess the football-related word, from player names to classic phrases, in six tries or fewer. Play it here.
At Real Madrid, Ronaldo and Di Stefano were criticised... I don't see why I should be the exception.
Answer
Xherdan Shaqiri.
