Spurs Women hand Amanda Nildén new deal as Martin Ho seeks a leader in defence
Tottenham Hotspur have given Amanda Nildén a new contract days after a damaging run of defeats to London City Lionesses, Chelsea and Arsenal. Head coach Martin Ho has turned the Sweden international into a left-sided centre-back and now wants her to lead.
The timing matters. Spurs’ unbeaten start to the 2026/27 WSL season ended with a 6-1 home defeat to London City Lionesses at Brisbane Road. Nildén was booked in the 69th minute that day. A 6-2 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge followed on 18 October.
The north London derby brought no relief. Nildén started on the bench as Ho made three changes from the side beaten at Chelsea. One of them was a first WSL start for Alice Sombath. Arsenal came from behind to win 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It was the first time in 31 matches, going back to March 2023, that Spurs had scored first in a league game and still lost. Sombath also picked up a serious-looking injury.
Ho has remade Nildén as a centre-back and wants more
Nildén’s role has changed under the head coach. Ho said her ability to play both full-back and centre-back gives the team flexibility. In his view, the contract gives Spurs room to refine her play further and hand her a bigger part in the team.
The next step is about authority as much as position. FotbollDirekt reported that Ho regards growing into a leadership role as an important next step for her. That ambition carries extra weight after the heavy defeats against London City Lionesses and Chelsea. A defence that has been opened up repeatedly needs a voice, and Ho has picked out Nildén as a candidate.
A loan signing whose Spurs story began with a cup final
Nildén first joined Spurs in January 2024 on a six-month loan from Juventus. During that spell she helped the club reach the Women’s FA Cup final for the first time. She played in the final at Wembley in May 2024. She signed permanently on 26 June 2024, on a contract running until 2027.
Her younger sister, Matilda Nildén, is also in the Spurs squad. For Nildén, signing again was a proud and happy moment. Watching the club grow has been amazing, and she is excited to be part of its next steps.
Those next steps begin immediately. Spurs return to league action away at newly promoted Birmingham City on Sunday 1 November 2026. Kick-off in the Matchweek 8 fixture is at 14:00 GMT.
Source material
New deal for Amanda Nildén (Tottenham Hotspur)
Klart: Nildén förlänger med Tottenham (FotbollDirekt)
Where to watch: Birmingham City v Tottenham (Barclays Women's Super League)
Tottenham's Swedish star signs new deal and admits excitement about what's next (AOL (Football.London))
