Tottenham Hotspur announced on Wednesday the dismissal of their Danish manager, Thomas Frank, less than eight months after he took charge of the team. This decisive decision came a day after a painful 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United, a loss that deepened the London club's woes and left them in 16th place in the Premier League table, dangerously close to the relegation zone.

In an official statement reflecting the unease within the club, the North London side said: "Results and performances have led the board to conclude that a change at this stage of the season was necessary." This decision presents the club's management with a new challenge: finding the team's sixth permanent manager in just seven years, highlighting the managerial instability Spurs have been experiencing recently.

Disastrous figures hastened the departure

The decision to sack him wasn't made on a whim, but rather stemmed from a series of negative results and the team's worst run in many years. The London club hadn't tasted victory in their last eight league matches, marking their worst streak since October 2008. Statistics reveal the extent of the team's struggles under Frank's leadership domestically, with Tottenham winning only two of their last 17 league games and accumulating a mere 12 points during this critical period – a points tally more befitting a bottom-of-the-table team than one of the Premier League's elite.

The paradox of European performance and domestic failure

Thomas Frank, who previously made a name for himself as manager of Brentford, took over at Tottenham last June, succeeding Australian Ange Postecoglou, and signed a long-term contract until 2028. Despite a disastrous domestic campaign, the Danish manager's sole positive achievement came in European competitions. The 52-year-old guided Spurs to direct qualification for the Champions League round of 16 after finishing fourth in their group (under the new format of the tournament).

However, this European success did little to appease the manager's dismal league record this season, which included seven wins, eight draws, and 11 losses. Adding to the fans' frustration was Tottenham's early exit from both domestic cup competitions; they were knocked out of the League Cup in the fourth round by Newcastle in October and then eliminated from the FA Cup in the third round by Aston Villa last month, leaving the team empty-handed in domestic competitions.

North London stability crisis

This dismissal reopens the debate surrounding Tottenham's lack of managerial stability and the challenges facing the board in developing a sustainable sporting project that will return the team to competing for domestic titles, rather than merely aiming for European qualification or avoiding relegation. Fans are now eagerly awaiting the identity of the next manager, who will be tasked with salvaging the team's league season and attempting a deep run in the Champions League.

In a tactical move aimed at preserving physical fitness and avoiding fatigue, the coaching staff of Al-Nassr's first football team, led by veteran Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, decided to exclude a large number of key players from the squad called up for the match against Turkmenistan's Arkadağ. This highly anticipated match is part of the AFC Champions League, a tournament in which Al-Nassr is determined to compete strongly for the title.

Absence list and special program

Coach Jesus didn't just make the tactical decision to rest the players; he also imposed a rigorous training program on the excluded players to ensure their fitness levels didn't decline. The squad that took to the field was missing 10 big names, most notably the team's captain and Portuguese legend, Cristiano Ronaldo. The list of absentees also included recent signings and established key players: Iñigo Martínez, the solid defender Mohammed Simakan, the dynamic full-back Sultan Al-Ghannam, the talented Saad Al-Nasser, the midfield dynamo Marcelo Brozović, the Portuguese star João Félix, the Senegalese Sadio Mané, the French winger Kingsley Coman, and goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi.

Rotation policy and its importance in the Asian journey

This bold decision by Jesus comes as part of the "rotation" strategy employed by major clubs competing on multiple fronts. With the pressure of domestic league matches and continental competitions, it becomes essential to rest star players to avoid muscle injuries that could result from overexertion. The match against Arkadag presents an ideal opportunity to give playing time to reserve and youth players to prove themselves, thus strengthening the squad and creating healthy competition within the club.

General context and aspirations for victory

The AFC Champions League 2023 takes on special significance this season, as Al-Nassr seeks to reaffirm its continental dominance and expand its trophy cabinet. Despite some key absences, the squad remains packed with players capable of deciding the match and securing the three points, reflecting the significant administrative and technical work undertaken to build two teams ready to compete at any time. Al-Nassr fans are expected to watch the match with keen interest to see the substitutes and how Jorge Jesus's tactical ideas will be implemented in the absence of the big names, while Ronaldo and his teammates continue their specialized training in Riyadh in preparation for the upcoming, more intense matches.

In a move reflecting the rapid development of the sports sector in Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, Governor of Al-Ahsa, inaugurated the Al-Qadisiyah Club Academy branch in the governorate on Tuesday evening. The ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Nabil Al-Jamea, Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Support Services at Saudi Aramco, and Badr Al-Ruziza, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Qadisiyah Club, along with a number of officials and athletes.

Al-Ahsa: A Historical Talent Hub.
The choice of Al-Ahsa Governorate to launch this branch stems from its historical status as one of the Kingdom's most prominent "talent hubs" for football. For decades, Al-Ahsa has supplied national teams and major clubs with a constellation of stars who have etched their names in gold in the history of Saudi football. This move by Al-Qadisiyah Club is a shrewd investment in the fertile ground the governorate offers, with its passionate fan base and innate talent that simply needs refinement and professional development.

Vision 2030 and Sports Investment:
During the inauguration, His Highness the Governor of Al-Ahsa emphasized that the opening of the academy represents a qualitative investment in human capital, specifically in young people, through a professional program aimed at honing athletic talents and building a generation capable of competing both locally and internationally. His Highness pointed out that this initiative aligns perfectly with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which places great importance on quality of life, promoting sports participation, and transforming the sports sector into a professional industry that contributes to the national economy.

A strategic partnership and a qualitative leap:
The presence of Saudi Aramco leaders at this event reflects the transformative shift Al-Qadisiyah Club is experiencing following its acquisition by the giant company as part of the investment and privatization project for sports clubs. This institutional support ensures the academy operates according to the highest standards of technical and administrative governance, and provides state-of-the-art infrastructure comparable to international academies, thus enhancing opportunities for discovering and nurturing young talents using well-researched scientific methodologies.

of figures and future aspirations
, Bader Al-Ruziza, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Qadisiyah Club Company, expressed his gratitude to His Highness the Governor of Al-Ahsa for his generous patronage, explaining that the academy represents the "beating heart" of the club's sports project. Al-Ruziza revealed ambitious figures, stating that the academy currently includes more than 1,500 players distributed across six branches in the Eastern Province, with an expansion plan aiming to serve more than 2,500 players. This strategy aims to build a sustainable technical system that ensures a continuous flow of talent to the first team and the Saudi national teams in the long term.

His Highness the Governor concluded his speech by acknowledging the generous support that the sports sector receives from the wise leadership - may God support them - stressing that this support is the main driver for developing the infrastructure and enabling clubs to perform their social and sports role to the fullest extent.