Roberto De Zerbi is close to becoming Tottenham Hotspur's new head coach after talks reached an advanced stage, the Press Association understands. The former Brighton boss initially preferred to wait until summer but now looks set to take over immediately, with a five-year contract reportedly on the table. He would become Spurs' fourth manager in ten months, tasked with steering the club away from relegation.
Thomas Tuchel has defended the withdrawal of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka from his England squad, dismissing suspicions that club interests took precedence. The German coach said both players wanted to play but medical assessments showed it was not worth the risk at this stage of the season. Ten Arsenal players have left international duty, but Tuchel insisted the decisions were purely precautionary.
Cardiff City's negligence claim against Nantes over the death of Emiliano Sala has been dismissed by a French court. The Welsh club sought over £100 million in damages, arguing Nantes was responsible for organising the fatal flight via agent Willie McKay. The tribunal ordered Cardiff to pay more than £400,000 to the French club. Sala and pilot David Ibbotson died when their aircraft crashed into the English Channel in January 2019.
In other football news, England host Japan at Wembley, Scotland face Ivory Coast, the Republic of Ireland meet North Macedonia, and Wales take on Northern Ireland in friendlies.
