Today’s back pages: Tottenham line up Pochettino replacements

Time running out for Poch

The Times reports that Tottenham Hotspur are considering RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann as a potential replacement for Mauricio Pochettino.

Argentine Pochettino is under pressure at Spurs due to poor results and friction with the board, the Times says. The 47-year-old’s future has been called into question and he may feel that it’s time to move to a bigger club.

The Daily Mail also says that Pochettino’s time is running out at Tottenham. The paper reports that he is facing an “end game” at the north London club and it’s a matter of “when rather than if” he leaves.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Nagelsmann is not the only name on Spurs’s replacement list. Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and Napoli chief Carlo Ancelotti have also emerged as possible candidates to take over from Pochettino.

Jones’s Saracens fears

The fall-out from Saracens’s salary cap sanctions could have a huge impact on the England squad.

Saracens are now bottom of the rugby Premiership after opting not to appeal against a 35-point penalty for financial breaches, the Daily Express reports.

Head coach Eddie Jones, who led the team to the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, fears that England will be “hit for six”, says the Express. The sanctions could see a split in the England squad and lead to some players missing the Six Nations.

Metro says Jones is concerned that some Sarries players in his squad - including captain Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and Mako and Billy Vunipola - may prioritise Premiership survival over the Six Nations.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Southgate job hinges on Euros

The Guardian reports that England football head coach Gareth Southgate is planning ahead for the next World Cup but admits that his future hinges on how the team performs at next summer’s European Championships.

Southgate’s side qualified for Euro 2020 after finishing top of their group and he is already making plans for the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.

However, the Daily Star says Southgate fears he will face the chop if England flop at the Euros.

Today’s back pages

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––