Tottenham star rejects move, makes big U-turn after Mourinho sacking

Toby Alderweireld has reportedly rejected a summer move to Club Brugge and has informed Tottenham he now wants to stay at the club following Jose Mourinho’s sacking.

Alderweireld has featured just 27 times in all competitions for Tottenham this season and appeared to have fallen out of favour under Mourinho. At the age of 32, he was reported to be considering a future away from the club. Indeed, a return to his native Belgium, where he has never played at club level, has been on the cards for some time.

Reports back in January suggested that Brugge were interested in Alderweireld, whose father has already hinted that he could move to Belgium in the future.

That has led to increased speculation that Alderweireld will make a summer switch to Brugge, amid claims contact has been made.

They state Alderweireld’s apparent desire to quit Spurs and return home furthered their hopes.

However, Voetbal 24 [via Sport Witness] now reports that Alderweireld has turned his back on the move. They state Alderweireld has let it be known via intermediaries that he is‘currently not open’ to a move to Belgium.

Furthermore, they claim he’s now ‘willing to take his chances at Tottenham’ following Mourinho’s sacking as manager.

They add that Alderweireld is convinced he still has what it takes to be a regular at Spurs. And finally, they state he’s only willing to ‘take a step back in his career when he feels he’s no longer good enough’.

However, all hope is not lost for Brugge president Bart Verhaeghe. The article concludes that Alderweireld does plan to finish his career in Belgium in the future, so a move – possibly in 2022 – could still come about.

Tottenham told to appoint Gerrard

Pundit Tony Cascarino believes that “extraordinary” Rangers boss Steven Gerrard would do a stellar job in the Tottenham hot seat.

Spurs are on the hunt for a new permanent manager after sacking Mourinho on Monday. Chairman Daniel Levy made the move after a spell of poor form and mounting pressure on the Portuguese.

Indeed, after a shock Europa League exit, the north London club are struggling in a top-four fight.

Gerrard has made a flying start to life in management, ripping the Scottish Premiership title away from Celtic.

He’s only in his second full season as a coach, but has already been tipped as a future Liverpool boss.

According to Cascarino, though, Spurs could be an exciting venture for him before then.

“One manager who looks capable of filling that role is Steven Gerrard,” the pundit wrote in a column for The Times.

“People say he will be the next Liverpool manager but maybe not. Or, if so, perhaps he will do another job before then.

“What he has done at Rangers is extraordinary. The way he handles himself in interviews and the huge improvement of the team on the pitch.

“Would he excite the likes of Harry Kane? I would say he would.”