Spurs Need Changes in Summer, Says Postecoglou

 Tottenham's head coach Ange Postecoglou during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (AP)
Tottenham's head coach Ange Postecoglou during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (AP)
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Spurs Need Changes in Summer, Says Postecoglou

 Tottenham's head coach Ange Postecoglou during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (AP)
Tottenham's head coach Ange Postecoglou during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (AP)

Tottenham Hotspur's squad needs a reset as the Premier League club looks to move into a "whole different direction", manager Ange Postecoglou said.

Since taking charge of Spurs last year, Postecoglou has attempted to implement an attacking style of play at the club, with the squad witnessing a significant amount of upheaval within their ranks to allow for this shift in philosophy.

The club has brought in a number of new players, while some long-serving players like Hugo Lloris and Eric Dier have departed.

Spurs began the season in promising fashion, but back-to-back defeats in the past week to rivals Arsenal and Chelsea have derailed their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League and have laid bare some of the gaps that still exist in the squad.

Asked about the club's personnel, Postecoglou told reporters: "We need change. Change has to happen."

The Australian, speaking ahead of Spurs' trip to Liverpool, said it was impossible for the club to make alterations to their style without some degree of change to the squad.

"We're pivoting to a whole different direction, expecting the same people are going to be on that," added Postecoglou.

"It's just not going to happen. We've had two windows and we've had some development of players, for sure, but when I say we've still got a long way to go, that's what I'm talking about.

"We can't be there yet because it's impossible to say you're going to have drastic change and yet expect everyone to be on that journey... whether it's Liverpool or Arsenal, by the time they win the competition or have success, the team's almost unrecognizable."

Tottenham, who are fifth in the standings, travel to face third-placed Liverpool in a league clash on Sunday.



Merino Double Helps Spain Beat Croatia, Reach Nations League Quarters

 Spain's midfielder #6 Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Croatia and Spain at the Poljud stadium in Split on October 6, 2026. (AFP)
Spain's midfielder #6 Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Croatia and Spain at the Poljud stadium in Split on October 6, 2026. (AFP)
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Merino Double Helps Spain Beat Croatia, Reach Nations League Quarters

 Spain's midfielder #6 Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Croatia and Spain at the Poljud stadium in Split on October 6, 2026. (AFP)
Spain's midfielder #6 Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Croatia and Spain at the Poljud stadium in Split on October 6, 2026. (AFP)

Mikel Merino hit a brace to help World Cup winners Spain seal qualification to the Nations League quarter-finals with a 2-1 win against Croatia on Tuesday.

Ivan Perisic put hosts Croatia ahead but substitute Merino equalized for Spain early in the second half.

Perisic was sent off with 10 minutes remaining for a second yellow card and Merino helped Spain capitalize with a fine finish to reach the last eight with two matches to spare.

"I'm very happy to be able to help the team, another game in which it was my turn to score from the bench," Merino told TVE after helping Spain claim a fourth win from four matches in Group A3.

"I'll go out there with the best possible attitude even while frustrated about not being able to play more... but this team is a family and that always shows."

Spain went a 42nd consecutive game without suffering defeat and lead England by three points at the top of the group.

"The objective is to keep winning, we've gone 42 games without losing and we want to add more to that," said De la Fuente.

"This team makes me feel so proud, I'm so lucky to have these players."

Slaven Bilic's Croatia were crushed 7-0 by England on Saturday, in front of a crowd of children as home fans were banned for racism, and came out determined to make it up to their supporters in Split.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon was called into action early on, saving well from Josip Stanisic's header, as Luka Modric's team impressed in the first half.

A few minutes later the hosts took the lead in Split with Simon saving from Igor Matanovic's shot but Perisic reacted quickest to head home the rebound.

"We started asleep, it took us a little while to match their tempo," Marc Cucurella told TVE.

Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Simon put Aymeric Laporte in a tough spot in his own box with a loose pass and Croatia intercepted and almost grabbed a second. However Simon saved from Freiburg striker Matanovic's effort.

- Spain battle back -

Spain's teenage star Lamine Yamal raced through on goal early in the second half but he fell after nudging the ball past Barca team-mate and Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.

Merino, on at the interval, pulled Spain level in the 61st minute with a low finish after Dani Olmo, who developed in Croatia as a youngster, fed him.

Croatia's task of holding on in the final stages became harder when Perisic brought down Cucurella and was dismissed.

Merino, so often making key impacts from the bench for Luis De la Fuente, including in the World Cup this summer, finished the job with his second of the night.

The former Real Sociedad man, with two minutes remaining, produced a superb turn and finish to blast past Livakovic.

"It's an honor to coach a player like that," said De la Fuente of Merino, who he called up for the World Cup right after he recovered from injury.

"He has made it absolutely clear why I would have carried him in my arms to the World Cup. In another country he would be more appreciated -- I hope that changes."

Spain next face the Czech Republic away from home and then face Thomas Tuchel's England again in Madrid.

"We look upwards, but with our feet on the ground," said Merino of Spain's ceiling.

"(We go) with humility -- there are days like today when the (unbeaten) streak can become complicated."


Kane Eyes Ronaldo Record After Matching England Cap Mark

Harry Kane of England applauds to supporters after winning the UEFA Nations League match England against Czechia, in London, Britan, 06 October 2026. (EPA)
Harry Kane of England applauds to supporters after winning the UEFA Nations League match England against Czechia, in London, Britan, 06 October 2026. (EPA)
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Kane Eyes Ronaldo Record After Matching England Cap Mark

Harry Kane of England applauds to supporters after winning the UEFA Nations League match England against Czechia, in London, Britan, 06 October 2026. (EPA)
Harry Kane of England applauds to supporters after winning the UEFA Nations League match England against Czechia, in London, Britan, 06 October 2026. (EPA)

Harry Kane refused to rule out catching Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the international goalscoring charts after netting twice against the Czech Republic to celebrate his record-equaling 125th England cap.

The captain matched Peter Shilton's men's record at Wembley on Tuesday, scoring his 90th and 91st international goals in a 3-0 win -- and has no intention of retiring any time soon.

Ronaldo, 41, tops the global all-time charts with 146 goals for Portugal.

"We'll see how far we can get," said Kane, who is England's record goalscorer. "We're starting with 50-odd goals. It's an awful long way away right now but who knows? I'm in great shape.

"I've said before that some of the players who I've played went into their late 30s and are still at the highest level and even 40s now. It's season by season with me. As long as I feel like I can help the team... I'll be around."

The striker said equaling former goalkeeper Shilton's haul of England caps was "beyond my wildest dreams", 11 years after his debut.

"Amazing, he deserves the stage, he deserves the praise," said England boss Thomas Tuchel, whose team won three of their four Nations League matches during the international break.

Kane, 33, who scored 79 seconds into his debut in 2015, said he had always demanded the highest standards of himself.

"I always had a lot of self-belief," he added. "I was always willing to maybe do more than others and just push myself.... I combined my talent that I had with a lot of hard work and self-belief and a lot of dedication."

And the former Tottenham player, in the running to win the Ballon d'Or in London later this month, said he still had room to improve despite his vast experience.

"I'm coming off the back of my best season ever as a player and I've started this season as good as I did last season," he said.

"I'm in a good place and for me right now, it's just pushing myself and seeing how far I can get."

Kane, who left Spurs as their record goalscorer, has hit new heights since moving to Bayern, breaking a 49-year-old record to become the fastest player to score 100 Bundesliga goals, in his 98th league game.

"I'm not going to stop," he added. "I'm going to keep pushing and see where it takes me. Maybe in 10 years or so, we'll see where that ceiling is at."


Ronaldo Says Portugal Coach Broke Promises, Apologizes for Walkout

Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo warms up ahead of the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Portugal and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 6, 2026. (AFP)
Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo warms up ahead of the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Portugal and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 6, 2026. (AFP)
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Ronaldo Says Portugal Coach Broke Promises, Apologizes for Walkout

Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo warms up ahead of the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Portugal and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 6, 2026. (AFP)
Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo warms up ahead of the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Portugal and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 6, 2026. (AFP)

Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday accused Portugal coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his word about giving him game time in Nations League matches, but said he remained available for his country.

In a statement of nearly 2,000 words, the 41-year-old superstar apologized for walking out on the national team and said he would serve a suspension if necessary.

"I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team," Ronaldo said.

Jesus left the forward unused on the bench for a Nations League match against Norway. Before the next game with Denmark, he said Ronaldo would not start and in response the 41-year-old walked out of the national team camp.

"I owe an apology to my national team teammates for having left the camp," wrote Ronaldo.

"Despite the absolute breakdown of trust in the head coach's word... I shouldn't have done it. The responsibility is mine alone."

Ronaldo also apologized to Portugal supporters, but insisted he had been responding to the veteran coach's "broken word".

"I apologize to the Portuguese people once again, but a broken word has, for me, a defining impact," said Ronaldo.

"I felt that, from that moment on, my presence would only harm the group, and I did what I always said I would do if I didn't feel useful: I picked up my bags and left."

Ronaldo said Jesus, who was appointed after Portugal were knocked out of the World Cup Round of 16, had initially presented him with a plan for the international window which included starting the opening and final games at home, but not travelling for the matches in Norway and Denmark.

The Al-Nassr superstar rejected that proposal, saying it would set a poor example for the captain to remain in Portugal while his teammates travelled.

Ahead of the Norway game, Ronaldo said Jesus unexpectedly asked if he was fit to play 30 minutes. He agreed and warmed up from half-time, but was not brought on.

"The head coach failed to keep his word to me," said Ronaldo, Portugal's most capped player and all-time top goalscorer.

- 'Broken promises -

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward Ronaldo said he spoke with Jesus after that and agreed with him that the coach would apologize in a news conference ahead of the Denmark game.

However, Ronaldo said Jesus's subsequent press conference was completely different from what was agreed in their conversation, with an "aggressiveness" he had never previously experienced from the coach.

"It was the second time he failed to keep his word. I decided to leave the camp without waiting for any further broken promises," wrote Ronaldo.

The striker said he would serve any "suspension that is imposed" on him and accepted he should be punished for his actions.

"The consequence of this act of mine must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation," he explained.

"I understand that the punishment should not have mitigating circumstances. I'm not just any player, I'm the team captain, and that is an aggravating factor."

Portugal won all four of their Nations League matches and qualified for the quarter-finals with two games to spare.