Next Tottenham manager LIVE: Ryan Mason interim head coach until end of the season, Nagelsmann closes in, Mourinho out

GOOD MORNING

Man City and Chelsea sparked the collapse of the cursed European Super League in a glorious victory for people power.

The two Prem giants were the first of the hated Big Six to wave the white flag and condemn the £4.6billion breakaway to an early grave.

They were later followed by Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham and Manchester United, while Spanish clubs Barcelona and Atletico Madrid also pulled out less than two days after announcing their despised scheme.

City issued a statement just hours after boss Pep Guardiola had ridiculed the plans, branding them “not sport”.

Liverpool, United and Arsenal then followed.

Also through the night, Ed Woodward announced he would step down as Old Trafford chief executive at the end of the year.

THEY THINK ITS ALL OVER

All six English clubs have now quit the hated European Super League in a massive victory for fan power.

Old Trafford chief executive Ed Woodward also resigned, while Arsenal, Spurs, United and Liverpool quit the £4.6billion project.

Chelsea were the first to do so, with Manchester City following after.

Massive protests by Chelsea supporters outside Stamford Bridge last night delayed their game against Brighton.

ARSENAL CONFIRM ESL EXIT

A statement read: “The last few days have shown us yet again the depth of feeling our supporters around the world have for this great club and the game we love.

“We needed no reminding of this but the response from supporters in recent days has given us time for further reflection and deep thought.

“It was never our intention to cause such distress, however when the invitation to join the Super League came, while knowing there were no guarantees, we did not want to be left behind to ensure we protected Arsenal and its future.

“As a result of listening to you and the wider football community over recent days we are withdrawing from the proposed Super League. We made a mistake, and we apologise for it.

“We know it will take time to restore your faith in what we are trying to achieve here at Arsenal but let us be clear that the decision to be part of the Super League was driven by our desire to protect Arsenal, the club you love, and to support the game you love through greater solidarity and financial stability.

“Stability is essential for the game to prosper and we will continue to strive to bring the security the game needs to move forward.

“The system needs to be fixed. We must work together to find solutions which protect the future of the game and harness the extraordinary power football has to get us on the edge of our seats.

“Finally, we know this has been hugely unsettling at the end of what has been an incredibly difficult year for us all.

“Our aim is always to make the right decisions for this great football club, to protect it for the future and to take us forward. We didn’t make the right decision here, which we fully accept.

“We have heard you.”

SPURS CONFIRM ESL EXIT

A statement read: "We can confirm that we have formally commenced procedures to withdraw from the group developing proposals for a European Super League (ESL)."

Chairman Daniel Levy said: “We regret the anxiety and upset caused by the ESL proposal. We felt it was important that our club participated in the development of a possible new structure that sought to better ensure financial fair play and financial sustainability whilst delivering significantly increased support for the wider football pyramid.

“We believe that we should never stand still and that the sport should constantly review competitions and governance to ensure the game we all love continues to evolve and excite fans around the world.

“We should like to thank all those supporters who presented their considered opinions.”

SPUR OF THE MOMENT

Following the news Chelsea, Man City, United and Liverpool have also pulled out of the proposed European Super League, Tottenham and Arsenal are set to follow.

It would mean all six Premier League sides who announced plans to move into the rebel breakaway ESL would have cancelled plans.

The Athletic report Arsenal are no longer looking to be involved, and according to Football.London, neither are Spurs.

SPURS' SECURITY FEARS

Tottenham have beefed up security at tomorrow's home Premier League clash with Southampton - amid fears of protests against the new European Super League.

Spurs are one of six English clubs involved in the dastardly plot that was tonight left in tatters after Chelsea and Manchester City pulled out.

But the move has been strongly opposed by their own supporters and the club are worried some of them might try to make the strength of their feelings known before, during or after their clash with the Saints.

So the North Londoners will have extra stewards and patrols on duty in a bid to avoid any flashpoints.

PARKHEAD THE BUS

Jose Mourinho has entered the race to become the next Celtic manager with the sacked Spurs boss 'ready to go again'.

The Special One was relieved of his duties in North London on Monday morning.

But he insisted he does not need a break from football.

And with no permanent Celtic boss sorted for next season, could that mean a knee slide along the touchline north of the border before long?

European Super League-bound Tottenham announced the 58-year-old was fired just six days before the Carabao Cup final.

So could Mourinho and the Hoops be a match?

MORE FROM MASON

Home-grown caretaker boss Ryan Mason will now lead his boyhood club out under the Arch.

Mason said: “I don't think it's about the previous management. That's gone now.

“Our focus as a football club is to prepare for the game tomorrow, which we have done and once that's out the way we can look to the next game.

"The most important thing for this football club is to win football matches.”

Mason’s first game in charge of Tottenham will be against Southampton tomorrow.

He admitted striker Harry Kane is unlikely to play after injuring his ankle in the 2-2 draw at Everton on Friday.

Mason said yesterday: “Harry didn't train today. It's one of those cases where we're taking it day by day.

“We're still not sure about the weekend yet but what we do know is that Harry is working extremely hard to get over this injury.”

MASON SEEKS MAUR

Ryan Mason revealed he has spoken with Mauricio Pochettino - but not Jose Mourinho.

The Spurs under-23 coach and former midfielder has been placed in charge of the first-team until the end of the season.

This followed Monday’s shock sacking of the Special One, who failed to live up to expectations after succeeding Pochettino as boss in November 2019.

Asked if he had spoken with Mourinho in the last few days, Mason said: “No I didn't get the opportunity. Obviously it all happened so fast for me in the morning yesterday so I didn't have the opportunity.

“Listen, he's been a great manager and has been a great manager for a very long time and I wish him all the best for the future.”

Mason played under Mourinho’s predecessor Poch, who turned the current caretaker into an England midfielder before a sickening head injury almost ruined his life and career.

Pochettino is now in charge at Paris Saint-Germain, but the pair have remained close ever since and Mason admitted: “Yeah we have exchanged a couple of messages and with a couple of the other staff from his team as well.

“He’s very busy understandably but we've always had a great relationship. He loves this club as well. He wished me all the best and I’m sure we’ll be in contact in future as well.”

'BIG SIX' FACE GRILLING

European Super League rebels face being summoned to appear before MPs.

Committee chair and Tory MP Julian Knight said: “The DCMS Committee has given its strong support for a hearing on these momentous developments in the football world.

“We are in discussion with key players and will want to hear from major stakeholders as the impact of the new European Super League proposals unfold.”

That foreshadows uncomfortable inquisitions for the club bosses, although it is unlikely United’s Joel Glazer, Liverpool owner John Henry or Roman Abramovich could be compelled to attend.

Knight added: “We will reflect the widely-expressed concerns of supporters which will be at the centre of our investigation.

"We welcome the Government’s fan-led review announced yesterday, finally given the impetus to go ahead by these seismic events.

“No-one will be off limits in our determination to establish what needs to be done to safeguard the preciously held enjoyment the sport gives to people and to protect its legacy for the future.”

'VIGOROUSLY REJECT PLANS'

The Premier League have released a statement announcing all 14 clubs 'unanimously and vigorously rejected the plans' for the European Super League.

The statement read: "The Premier League, alongside The FA, met with clubs today to discuss the immediate implications of the Super League proposal.

"The 14 clubs at the meeting unanimously and vigorously rejected the plans for the competition.

"The Premier League is considering all actions available to prevent it from progressing, as well as holding those Shareholders involved to account under its rules.

"The League will continue to work with key stakeholders including fan groups, Government, UEFA, The FA, EFL, PFA and LMA to protect the best interests of the game and call on those clubs involved in the proposed competition to cease their involvement immediately.

"The Premier League would like to thank fans and all stakeholders for the support they have shown this week on this significant issue.

"The reaction proves just how much our open pyramid and football community means to people."

MOUR TO GIVE

Jose Mourinho proved he was a special friend after appearing to give his former staff member a lift to collect their stuff from Tottenham's training ground.

The Special One was fired on Monday after 17 months in charge, just six days before Spurs face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.

Mourinho's coaching staff Joao Sacramento, Nuno Santos, Carlos Lalin, and Giovanni Cerra were also relieved of their duties.

And the 58-year-old showed how much he valued loyalty after appearing to drive his goalkeeping coach Santos to Tottenham's Enfield base today.

Mourinho, who had already cleared out his office the day before, then waited in his Aston Martin while Santos went inside to pick up his things.

It remains to see where the pair will end up next with the former Chelsea and Manchester United gaffer already 'ready to go again'.

ICYMI

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has reportedly called an emergency meeting between all Premier League captains.

The Mail reports the England midfielder has taken the action as the fall-out from the breakaway Super League continues.

The 30-year-old will chair meeting with club reps from sides in and out of the breakaway.

Henderson previously helped lead players in their response to the crisis caused by the pandemic.

MORE ON LEVY

Another club boss added: “Daniel can paint himself as a victim but nobody was buying that at all. It’s too late for that.”

Richard Masters and the Prem leadership, as well as the clubs outside the Big Six, were left bolstered by a firm vow from PM Boris Johnson that he will bring in urgent legislation that would prevent the Six from joining the £4.6billion scheme.

That meeting involved representatives of Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester United supporters’ trusts and the Football Supporters Association, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham, as well as Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.

Johnson is understood to have made it abundantly clear to the meeting that he would simply not allow the breakaway to take place.

SUPER LEAGUE EXCLUSIVE

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is "shaken" by the Super league backlash.

In a stunning act of contrition he told Brighton chief executive Paul Barber to pass on details of a conversation they had before the 14 clubs left out of the breakaway met with League chief Richard Masters.

In a message that left the clubs increasingly confident they have the rebels on the run and will be able to kill off the proposals within days, the Spurs chief conceded he may have misjudged the mood of the nation.

Barber, who previously served on the board at White Hart Lane told the clubs Levy said this was "not what I wanted, or expected"

The Brighton exec added: “Daniel says this all grew from a feeling that Uefa simply doesn’t listen to us as a League. He believes the big clubs deserve more respect and more money.”

But while Levy’s message was viewed by the clubs as the first recognition of the scale of the mistake, it did not spare him and the rest of the Big Six from the wrath of the 14 left on the outside.

One club source revealed: “Paul was told to pass on a simple message back - that Daniel and the rest of them were destroying all of us by this act.

“We are all still seething at what has gone on. Every single one of us. There is no sympathy at all for Levy or anyone else involved. They’re the ones who put us in this position because of their greed.”

KAN HE MAKE IT?

Ryan Mason does not know if Tottenham's star striker Harry Kane will be fit for the Carabao Cup Final.

Spurs can end a 13-year trophy doubt on Sunday against Man City but may have to do it without the England captain after he hobbled off against Everton on Friday night.

Kane did not train on Monday and Tuesday and will miss Wednesday's game against Southampton.

Interim boss Mason said: "I’m not sure currently, he didn’t train today.

"It’s a case of taking it day by day.

"We’re not sure about the weekend just yet but what we do know is Harry’s working hard to get over this injury."

NEW BOSS SPEAKS

Hear from Ryan Mason, the Premier League's youngest ever manager.

NO CHANCE TO SPEAK

Ryan Mason confirmed he didn't have a chance to speak to Jose Mourinho after filling his job as Spurs boss.

The 29-year-old said it is one game at a time for Tottenham as they need to get back to winning games.

After 20 years attached to the club, Mason said it was an overwhelming sense of pride at being given the job to the end of the season.

NO WAY JOSE

Check out Jose Mourinho's record at Tottenham.

MOUR PAY OFFS

Jose Mourinho may be unemployed but he certainly isn't short of cash.

PARKHEAD THE BUS

Jose Mourinho has entered the race to become the next Celtic manager with the sacked Spurs boss 'ready to go again'.

The Special One was relieved of his duties in North London on Monday morning.

But he insisted he does not need a break from football.

And with no permanent Celtic boss sorted for next season, could that mean a knee slide along the touchline north of the border before long?

MASON'S TEAM

Ryan Mason is the new interim Tottenham manager.

A statement by chairman Daniel Levy read: "We have great belief in this squad of talented players.

"We have a cup final and six Premier League games ahead of us and we shall now focus all our energies on achieving a strong finish to the season.”

Mason, who played 70 times for Spurs, will be joined by Chris Powell and Nigel Gibbs as interim assistant head coaches.

Michel Vorm has been appointed interim goalkeeping coach while club legend Ledley King continues as first team assistant.

BEAT THE BOSS

Ryan Mason will take the reins at Spurs aged just 29 after a brutal head injury KO'd his career early.

Mason was forced to retire as a football player in 2018 at the age of just 26 due to risks associated with a head injury he had suffered the previous season.

He joined the coaching set-up at Tottenham in April 2018 before becoming the official academy coach of the Under-19 team in July 2019.

Then in August of last year the ex-England midfielder became head of youth development with the Lilywhites.