3 weeks ago
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The new Tottenham Hotspur head coach, interim or permanent, faces a nightmare start to life in the dugout
The new Tottenham Hotspur head coach will be without Cristian Romero for the North London Derby. The 27-year-old defender was issued a four-match suspension following his dismissal in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend.
Romero was given his marching orders inside the opening half an hour after a reckless tackle on Casemiro. The Argentina international arrived late to the duel, planting his studs just above the opposition midfielder's ankle.
Having already been shown a red card once before in the Premier League this season, Romero triggered a further one-game ban. He served the first of his four-match suspension on Tuesday night as Spurs lost 2-1 to Newcastle United.
The Tottenham captain will also be ineligible for selection in the North London Derby later this month, as well as the clashes against Fulham and Crystal Palace in March. More importantly, Romero will be unavailable during a difficult period for the club, on and off the pitch.
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football.london understands that Spurs are working on a contingency plan following the sacking of Thomas Frank. As it stands, an interim candidate looks the most likely route at the moment, with so few permanent options currently available.
Regardless of who senior officials appoint, on a temporary or permanent basis, the new Tottenham boss will be without the club captain for three games. It's not just any three games either. It's three London derbies, with one of which being the biggest of them all at the Emirates Stadium.
Frank's replacement faces a nightmare start to life in the dugout. Speaking to football.london ahead of this week's Premier League fixtures, which will continue to be broadcast on TNT Sports and discovery+, Joe Cole offered Romero some words of wisdom.
The Chelsea legend said: "Romero, first of all, is a top defender, but I think how he’s handled himself has left a lot to be desired. His behaviour, in terms of the online stuff, which is very difficult for me to comment on because it wasn’t around properly when I was playing, so I don’t know how to react.
"I just know that the dressing room is sacred. Especially when you're a senior player, and you've got to lead, he should be keeping these feelings in-house and talking to people and doing things the right way.
"But as a footballer, he's superb. As a person, I'm sure he's a lovely person, but his actions and his behaviour have been destructive to his team, to his club and his teammates."
Following West Ham's draw to Manchester United, Spurs have been dragged into a relegation battle. Just five points separate the Hammers in the drop zone from Tottenham.
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