Hopefully, events will reshape the rumours and speculations regarding Conte leaving and Poch re-joining. However, this sounds like the perfect storm for Levy…
Here’s some speculation, which I’m sure I hope will not come to pass, but the circumstances as they currently stand (at least in the eyes of the media) could conspire to persuade Levy to try to manipulate an outcome which would be Classic Levy.
Here’s Levy’s potential problem:
He is facing a crunch with a very driven and lauded “winner” who as part of that winning makeup will threaten and be prepared to carry through on threats, in a berserker-like fashion. Levy generally doesn’t like opposition or confrontation, he’s proved himself to be a sneaky coward who deals with employees by undermining, insertion and manipulation to create what are basically constructive dismissals.
Given that, I could see Levy not losing too much sleep if Conte left; after all, Conte may simply have been his only option given the hole he had dug for himself with Nuno-gate.
But Conte is volatile and if things don’t go according to a plan that he believes Levy has agreed to (and we all know about Levy, promises and small print) he’ll give Levy trouble, of that I have little doubt.
Whilst some have been OK to take the money and stay shtum, shrink away in shame or just put THFC behind them and try to reconstruct their lives and careers, Conte strikes me more as a Samson-type character who will bring the place down in his anger and frustration. Levy must surely be wise to this.
IF Levy does not back Conte and by that I mean he does what he normally does and:
- tells him he will sign top-quality players,
- pretends to be in the hunt by making offers (far below serious consideration),
- strangles any potential interest in a deal with protracted and destructive haggling
- then buys him some kid he might be able to flog later at a profit, and/or another useless N’winger, and/or a player being let go because he’s somehow flawed and/or is a burned-out has been available on loan to off-set another club’s wages liability
….then Conte will turn on Levy. He’ll be mindful of his own reputation and push the boundaries of what can be said under his, “you can’t be honest about just how badly Levy is screwing up the club” non-disclosure agreement.
Of course, the timing will also be such that the season will have started. Levy likes this as, apart from his bargain-basement mentality, it generally doesn’t offer the manager much of an option most well run clubs, which accounts for most of them, will have already secured their manager and the initial finishing line for the Sack-Race tend to be later in the year.
To action this scheme, Levy would need Poch already lined up. Poch (assuming he severs ties with PSG and takes a bit of gardening leave to recharge) would be ready to step in – this saves face for Levy (an easy spin), but also means Levy cannot make good on any squad promises till the winter window…. and of course when we get there, well we all know its not the best time, so let’s look at the summer…
…………yes another year without significant improvement at the Cowslip’s Warren that is THFC. The cycle continues.
Should/when this comes to pass and in the miasma of Déjà vu, which is the lot of the average Tottenham supporter, we once again witness the future replaying the lessons not learned from our history, I could see Levy rubbing his hands at the thought of a Poch reunion, especially if Conte can be amicably (and without furore and fuss), “released” to pursue another opportunity (ManUtd/Citeh/PSG/Nouveau-Cheatski etc.).
Presenting Conte with a soft exit path might avoid the exposure to claims about the emperors’ clothes. Meanwhile, Levy has once again seduced Poch: nothing new here, Poch has been the most loyal and compliant of all the sheepdogs Levy has owned.
Outcomes:
- Hot-headed and confrontational, Conte is gone without fuss. Conte’s reputation maintained, Levy saves face.
- Poch replaces him, easy to sell as a homecoming.
- Squad not reinforced, (which eased/caused Conte’s going) and Poch sold the idea that the reinforcements would be held off until he can add his input into who he wanted.
- Levy faffs around in January (as per usual) and leaks rumours to A Gold Esq., and others about summer targets to keep our spirits up!
- Tells Poch he needs CL to get a rebuild. Poch does enough to scrape into 4th.
- Does no preparation for Poch’s key targets and goes on holiday till last 2 weeks of the window.
- Lowball’s primary targets try to screw over selling clubs and get three Rolexs at 10 to midnight, two at 30 quid, one of which says a quarter past four, and a heavier one which could be real but has a broken strap and a bent minute hand.
Given our recent history: would this really surprise anyone???
With so much misinformation, leaked propaganda, fake news, etc. (no… I’m not referring to Ukraine/Russia – I’m referring to THFC), I figure my speculation and fiction is just “newsworthy”, but I hope more entertaining! Enjoy…….
Cluster f*ck central… 😂
I just feel it’s all swerved towards showbiz and kerching ..hence my maudlin fear Poch and Bale are around the corner…I sincerely hope I am wrong ..forwards not back.
Of course, minister…
No!
Classic, Harry! And like Yes Minister/Prime Minister in relation to politics, your scenario only an exaggeration of the truth! Actually, I’m not sure there is any exaggeration here.
FFS 🤦
I saw on an inferior blog to this last night a contributor claimed Enic have been inviting investors (to invest) with a view to freeing up money for transfers.
I just hope it is true a nice little war chest of £150m+ would ensure our Tony stays.
All sniffing round the pile of dung that is (cannot write the word on here)
Thing is JG, these crooks are going nowhere. So, Poch is absolutely on the cards.
So, these new owners… where are they?
Poch will take a short sabbatical after leaving PSG, Conte will be offered the PSG or Real Madrid job and take one of them as his Spurs contract will only have about six months to run. Poch returns.
I’m sure that Levy has been squirming at Conte’s recent comments to the Italian media. Thing is, Conte won’t care greatly because he’ll pick up bigger job anytime he wants and I’d be surprised if he hasn’t been contacted by his next club already…
Although, I would also argue that despite PSG winning the league comfortably, Tuchel was also kicked our of Paris based on the C.L, yet he goes to Chelsea and wins it a few months later. Who wouldn’t have Tuchel at Spurs if Conte walked?
It’s not an easy job for anyone, regardless of how good they are as a coach because they are a bunch of highly talented individuals but lack team spirit. It’s no fluke that they keep failing under manager after manager. Of course ‘Poch bashers’ will ignore the Tuchel example and use it to label him a loser. Well, time to square the whole thing in your mind, because his return to Spurs is looking more likely by the day. Like it or lump it, in Levyland…
I don’t understand your question… as in , a reply to my comment
True. Although I’m not sure anything actually embarrasses Levy. He’s convinced himself (and tries to do the same with everyone around him) that everything he does is “for the good of the club”. When we all know that his primary objective is making ENIC richer. Shameless schmuck.
Yes this sounds a typical ENIC/ Levy shuffling of the deck. I have already posted to this effect.I would support the premise that this was always in Levy’s mind. Levy was in a tight spot when the Nuno debacle unravelled. The natives were getting restless and the crosshairs were settling between his eyes.Enter Conte the serial winner. This must mean the tide has turned. ENIC and Levy will surely realise he will demand backing.Of course if there is no intention to follow through Conte will walk and the crosshairs will return.Enter the return of the prodigal son from gay Parie.Mon dieur what a perfect arrangement as PSG get rid of a serial loser and look for a serial winner and Levy looks to replace a serial winner with a serial loser. A perfect fit. Conte leaves no questions asked. Gets a nice settlement on the quite. He says how much he had enjoyed the experience at THFC and now needs to hand over to a longer term project manager. PSG welcome him and immediately he is back in the CL chasing titles and honours. Pooch returns with talk of returning home and unfinished business and how a new rebuilding project needs to start. Levy gives him and his pals a three year deal with loads of wonga on the condition all this chatter about investment in the squad had to stop and the narrative goes back to those happy days when Levy could slink back into the shadows and listen to Pooch telling the world how “berry appy”he is with everything. Yep we will have our Tottenham back……Kane will be sold to raise money for some young punts with potential. Paratici will join Conte at PSG. ENIC can get back to the gentrification of the local area and booking in events galore at the yet unnamed toilet bowl. .
I wouldn’t blame him either, but it would be embarrassing for Levy. He should be asked to win the CL here.
great blog. have we factored in the monogrammed bbq chez poch, he must miss it
What has football got to do with it ?
Yes
🤣🤣 Some really need a lie down in a darkened room, some of the comments I’m reading, Jesus H. Christ!
Can’t we just allow the media to indulge in wild speculation & sensationalism?
Under these owners no.
Winning silverware and Spurs are not two things that can occur in the same sentence, regardless of manager.
I’m going to say this for the last time.
Mauricio Pochetino IS NOT coming back to manage Spurs whilst ENIC & Daniel Levy are at the helm.
You can come up with all sorts of scenarios, permutations whatever floats your boat. Ain’t happening.
On a more personal note. Even if the above do leave I hope he doesn’t come back. He’s got no pedigree as a winner or knows how to win.
Forget ENIC & Levy. Nothings changing with them. Whoever and when ever a new owner does arrive. They have to have a completely different strategy the first being employing or continuing to employ a manager who knows how to and can win us silverware.
That’s not Pochetino.
Conte could leave if Real Madrid or PSG offered him the job regardless of if we get 4th. He’ll be asked to win the Champions League with a quality squad. Why would he stay to work under Levy? I certainly wouldn’t blame him…
He said he loves Spurs. But knowing Levy it would make more sense for him to go to Newcastle. He’s pretty much the perfect man for that job
That scenario is entirely possible. Either way, if Levy doesn’t cough up the money and spend it on a few quality players he’s been found out, and I mean by all. There will be no place to hide. If we get 4th this season and Conte leaves, how is he supposed to explain that? Just give that man 250m to spend and we’re gold. Even Levy may be somewhat forgiven for past transgressions. We have the best manager we could possibly get, and if Levy f*cks it up, he’s done. Waste 100m on Ndombele and Sanchez, but won’t back Conte, great logic if it goes down to that
Good post. Sadly we are owned by an estate agent who’s business model on the pitch is one step forward with three steps back. Poch coming back would ruin any goodwill I had for him as he would be clearly another Levy stooge. ENIC out.
Good win.. Outplayed them, should have been more goals. Put the Spam back in their place. Moved above Manure, now breathing down Woolwich’s neck.. Starting to look like a Conte team now, well drilled, well organised, and the lads are gaining confidence….. My only gripe was defending corners. After the first corner and their goal we still didn’t wise up.. If we are outgunned with aerial players (we usually are) then simply put a player on each post. If Reggy or Doherty were on the post then the goal would have been blocked easily.
This.
Conte out and Poch in is written in the stars. PSG have just lost away 0-3 to Monaco which has probably sealed his fate. It’s only a question whether he lasts the season. This sets the scene for Conte to go to PSG. Levy and his PR dept will dress it up to the fans that the Messiah has returned to the love of his life, how they always kept in touch because he knew that Spurs were always in Poch’s heart and that we were more successful under him than any other manager. Then there will be a lot of nonsense about money being available for the new manager whilst we all know that Levy doesn’t care about success and the aspirations of the supporters, but only about a top four place. So we revert to Groundhog Day at Spurs. I can only hope that Chelsea are sold at a knock down price which gives Levy palpitations and extreme tightening of his sphincter.
Excellent analysis Finn.
Sorry to disappoint the deluded among us who say things like “Conte wanted a clear out in January to get some quality players in the summer” etc. Or “ Levy has no other option than to back him” might need to lower your expectations.
We would all prefer that Conte stayed and that Levy ‘goes big’ to back him, but in our heart of hearts we know this will never, ever happen.
Conte was brought in to attempt to get this mess into the top 4 positions, just as Jose was. Levy will spend not a single penny over what he needs to to obtain Champions League participation. It’s taken Levy a few years after failing to back Pochettino, to understand that backing is unavoidable, if your basic objective is top 4. Not only that, but also that bringing in a big name manager raises the levels of backing expected even more.
So reverting to a previous setup that required an ‘acceptable’ level of investment in order to achieve top 4 is of course irresistible to Levy. That’s why, Pochettino’s return has been on the cards since last summer and Conte (unbelievably) is merely a stop-gap and a ‘quick fix’, being paid very handsomely indeed to step into the ENIC lions den.
All very disappointing… but have the last 23 years been anything else?