MICAH'S MOMENTS: I'm not surprised Spurs' candidates are scared off!

Why can’t sign a manager?I’ve asked myself this repeatedly, particularly since a deal for Feyenoord’s Arne Slot fell through.

When you look at the situation, you would think someone would walk miles to get the opportunity there as everything looks right: brilliant stadium, living in London, great fans and England’s No 9 in your squad.

Something must be scaring off candidates.If that is the case, I’m not surprised.

When a chairman can sack a manager a few days before a cup final, as Daniel Levy did before the final in 2021, you would know there is no such thing as job security.

Tottenham’s situation worries me.There is no real identity to their play – when they are asked to press high, they can’t do it effectively and when they sit deep, they are vulnerable – and the brilliance of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min up front has papered over cracks for too long.

Levy, mpo to his credit, has done a brilliant job making Tottenham sustainable financially but football excellence must now be the priority.He simply has to get the next managerial decision right.

PFA delay is good

The PFA Player of the Year won’t be named until August this year, as it’s the 50th anniversary of the award.I’m delighted about that. 

We used to get ballot papers in early March and that meant there was potential for someone to be in the running on the back of a good half-season. Players now choose in late April but, if I had my way, they would do it after the last game.

Howe set for tough juggling act 

Newcastle deserve their celebrations for finishing in the top four but I doubt Eddie Howe will be resting for too long.He and his recruitment team have got a significant task ahead of them as they look to make the next steps.

The squad clearly has a great team spirit and the trick for Howe and sporting director Dan Ashworth will be adding players who enable them to rotate but without losing anything.Equally, the lads who are there are going to face a test of character.

It could be next autumn that they have a 12.30pm kick-off at Manchester City, then a Tuesday night game in Madrid. It’s going to be impossible for them to play the same players in every game.You can be angry when you miss out but you can’t let it affect performance – the team must always come first.

If Newcastle can juggle that and push again for a top-four spot next season, that will be significant progress.It’s not realistic to think they are suddenly going to be title challengers.

World Cup final my best moment 

The end of a remarkable season and my highlight is the World Cup final.I didn’t know what life had in store when I retired in 2019 and was nervous about the future. To have a ringside seat at the greatest game I’ll ever witness three years later made me count my blessings.

Liverpool will bounce back

Some interesting words from Mo Salah last week, who didn’t hide his disappointment about Liverpool not qualifying for the Champions League. 

It has been a hugely frustrating season for them but I’d urge one thing: don’t write them off.It’s only going to take a couple of tweaks and the right signings in midfield to restore balance. 

Also, they have the power of Anfield – I’ll never forget my first game there and feeling so small under those stands – and a brilliant manager.They are going to be right there again, believe me.

Don’t expect to see Burnley go down 

What a story to see Luton back in the top flight. 

The odds will be against them staying up, and I expect plenty of people will make pre-season predictions that the three promoted teams – the Hatters, Burnley and Sheffield United – will go straight back into the Championship. 

Don’t make that mistake.I know for certain with Burnley that Vincent Kompany’s planning will be meticulous. Every decision he makes is done around objectives. He signed a five-year deal recently and will have done that because he has a long-term plan in mind and wants to see it through.