TNT Sports
Mauricio Pochettino in frame for long-term Tottenham job alongside two ‘unexpected’ names - Paper Round
By
Published 13/02/2026 at 23:46 GMT
React to this story
Tottenham will wait until the summer to see if they can appoint Mauricio Pochettino but two former Borussia Dortmund coaches are also in the frame to take over in north London. Elsewhere, Michail Antonio could sign a short-term deal at Charlton Athletic and elections at Barcelona could help decide Marcus Rashford’s future with his £26 million move in the balance.
Highlights: Neto hat-trick steers Chelsea into FA Cup fifth round
Video credit: TNT Sports
Spurs to wait for Pochettino
Tottenham are willing to wait for former head coach Mauricio Pochettino as they look for a permanent new manager.
Spurs need someone to replace Igor Tudor in the long term after Thomas Frank’s sacking.
The Telegraph reports: "Tudor will now succeed Thomas Frank in the short term but Spurs have left the door open for Pochettino to return in the summer after he has taken charge of the United States national team at the World Cup.
"Tottenham’s decision to wait until the summer to make a permanent appointment will excite supporters who want Pochettino to return to the club and chanted his name in the defeat to Newcastle United.
"Pochettino revealed he is currently in London by posting a picture of himself on Instagram at a restaurant with a member of his coaching staff, Toni Jimenez."
Two more candidates for Spurs
Two former Borussia Dortmund managers are in the frame to take over at Tottenham permanently.
Igor Tudor may be taking over until the end of the season but Marco Rose and Edin Terzic could be long-term options.
The Sun starts by discussing Rose, writing: "SunSport understands that the 49-year-old is keen on a move to the Premier League, having snubbed offers from Saudi Arabia since being sacked by RB Leipzig last March.
"Rose would prefer to begin his next managerial tenure with a full pre-season to prepare.
"Another former Dortmund boss in the running is Edin Terzic.
"The 43-year-old has turned down plenty of interest since leaving BVB in 2024, including from Champions League side Monaco."
Antonio linked with Charlton deal
Former West Ham forward Michail Antonio could return to football after his life-threatening car crash in 2024.
The 35-year-old forward is training with Charlton Athletic and he could sign a short-term deal, according to the Daily Mail.
The paper states: "Michail Antonio is training with Charlton Athletic as they discuss a short-term contract for the free agent striker.
"The Championship side are drafting an offer that is understood to be on a pay as you play basis until the summer for the 35-year-old.
"Former West Ham forward Antonio has not played a competitive game in England since his near-fatal car crash in December 2024 that left him with multiple leg fractures."
Nunez future uncertain
Darwin Nunez’s future is uncertain in the Saudi Pro League after the arrival of Karim Benzema at Al Hilal.
The 26-year-old Uruguayan is not included in his club’s squad as they could not make room for him due to the limit on foreigners in the squad.
The Mirror writes: "Darwin Nunez has found himself out in the cold in Saudi Arabia after the former Liverpool striker was omitted from Al Hilal's squad in order to make room for Karim Benzema.
"The Uruguay star, 26, left the Premier League champions after making just eight starts in the Reds' title-winning 2024-25 campaign, with Liverpool taking a significant hit on the £85 million package they agreed with Benfica to bring him to Anfield in the first place.
"Since his move to the Middle East, Nunez has scored seven goals in 23 games for the Saudi Pro League kingpins - but he was been axed from their 25-man squad following their capture of Benzema."
Rashford future could soon be resolved
The i Paper believes that the upcoming Barcelona presidential election could help resolve Marcus Rashford’s future.
The Manchester United forward can be bought for £26 million by the Catalans, but the winner of the elections will ultimately make that call.
The paper reports: "Barcelona will hold their 15th presidential election in a month’s time. The most recent president, Joan Laporta, who has had to resign in order to re-run, is the favourite to win again, but there are five other candidates vying to depose the colourful 63-year-old.
"One of the first decisions awaiting whoever wins the race to the Nou Camp hotseat would be whether to part with the limited spare cash available by securing Rashford for the long-term.
"Laporta is a big Rashford fan and was instrumental in bringing him to Barcelona in the first place, along with sporting director Deco. Should finances permit, The i Paper has been told Laporta would support a permanent deal – and so would at least two of the other contenders."
Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement