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There is an abundance of choice if Tottenham go for an English manager

By Bruce Grove -

If Daniel Levy decides to forego a brand name manager and looks closer to home, especially if he wants a younger fresher manager, then he could do a lot worse than hire an English manager.

There is a lot to be said of employing an English manager, they know the language of course and that is a huge plus, they understand the culture and what certain games mean, they even appreciate the FA Cup and the history of that tournament.

In years past there has been a distinct lack of talented English managers but I am not so sure that is the case anymore. Some of them, maybe even most of them, do not come with that cachet that foreign managers come with but that does not mean they could not do a good job if given the opportunity.

These are just some of the English managers on the list at the sportsbooks and who have at one point or another been either linked with or discussed as a potential Tottenham manager.

Eddie Howe, Scott Parker, Steven Gerrard, Graham Potter, Sean Dyche, Dean Smith, Gareth Southgate and Chris Wilder. There are others that one could throw into the mix if so inclined, for example, Sam Allardyce, Glenn Hoddle and even Harry Redknapp but I think it is safe to say that the latter names are very unlikely.

Now, I am not advocating for any of these men, though I would be ok with two or three of them but what I am saying is that if Levy wanted to go down the English route, he does have options.

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Richard David Bernard Taylor
Richard David Bernard Taylor
3 years ago
Reply to  MitchellThomas

I’m not sure Gerrard’s got the intelligence to cope with Levy.

justin
justin
3 years ago

What isn’t clear is our current ambitions. Are we looking to spend this year or to make money back this year? The choice of manager needs to reflect this.

Also, what are our long term goals and model? From our past the idea has been for a long time to develop young talent or buy in younger cheaper players and develop them rather than buy in the finished product. Up until the Jose hire that model had been working – ok so no trophies but we were a top 4 regular and had gotten to the final of the Champions League under that model. Are we going back to it or is the plan to use the platform to develop a higher spending model?

Whoever we bring in is going to need time to develop the team and introduce younger players in as well as clearing out those who haven’t performed.

Some managers, like Bielsa would be better with hungrier and younger players (Kane and Son excepted as they seem to have the hunger to work their socks off). Bringing in a management team from say Ajax or RB Salzburg might enable us to copy some of the things they do really well. They identify and develop some of the best young players and that seems to be what we want to do.

Whoever we bring in isn’t going to be likely to bring in instant success without a net investment in the team and a clearout.

David
David
3 years ago
Reply to  Kiran

Luis Campos (ex-lille) would also be worth a look, he did wonders in finding good players for them!

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago
Reply to  makatiandy

Santini’s famous quote “I want Tottenham to play like France and ended up with France playing like Tottenham”!!

Last edited 3 years ago by David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago

Resonating with the fans, for charm offensive “give us an interview”, Arry is your man!!

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago

In fact Bielsa does not exactly look a happy chappy either even when Leeds have won!

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago
Reply to  Cali

No denying his abilities but he always looks morose!!

makatiandy
makatiandy
3 years ago
Reply to  Ian

That is the problem: football responsibilities does not equate with Levy’s resale value approch. Hence we keep all the high priced failures for too long.

makatiandy
makatiandy
3 years ago
Reply to  Cali

Re-sale Value is the man’s name.

makatiandy
makatiandy
3 years ago

Doesn’t sound like the Daniel Levy I’ve come to know.

Cali
Cali
3 years ago

Sarri come and get me if you have £4mill 😂😂

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago
Reply to  Ian

IMO the top 4 as it stands will probably end up the top 4

  1. Man City
  2. Man Utd
  3. Leicester

4.Chelsea
5.Liverpool

Last edited 3 years ago by David Dillenberg
Finn
Finn
3 years ago

This looks like the minutes of a working party to make a plan for lower mid-table.

Like hiring Vinicious to spank anonymous teams, we are hoping some club manager who has “done alright” by not proving to be an abject failure, might “do alright” with THFC and somehow meet our expectations…… is that the jist?

Legoverlass, who talks a lot of sense, has nailed down that we are not a good prospect for a top manager, nonetheless hiring one is still the job at hand, but hiring wild cards is just an acceptance that we are on a dog’s chance.

Does anyone seriously think that any of the managers named above have the credentials to take what is now a higher end mid-table side back into the top four? Consideration of these men is a capitulation and a statement of lowered expectation.

Levy’s only trump left is that the gag clause in the THFC contract, appears to be tight enough that nothing gets out and this leaves him with deniability and the chance to hoodwink the next in line. God only knows what the fallen might say without the prospect of their severance being withdrawn for a breach of contract!

The only way a half decent manager with sufficient footballing insight will climb on-board, is with a promise in his pocket. Of course his first lesson will then be in Levynomics where the price is too high or we just miss the transfer deadline, leaving that promise there, but always just that hair’s breadth out of reach.

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago
Reply to  Tangangry

Having succeeded Jacques Santini (who lasted 13 games) Martin Jol deserved a more dignified exit than being brutally sacked by text widely known around the ground after our 2-1 Ropey Cup Gatafe defeat at WHL before he apparently later discovered the news from his nephew saying he was to leave the job!!

Last edited 3 years ago by David Dillenberg
Tangangry
Tangangry
3 years ago
Reply to  justin

LOVED Jol, what reasonable human being wouldn’t.

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago

Certainly Citeh would not have had it so easy at Wembley on Sunday!

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago

One keeps reflecting on a wasted opportunity to sign Villas prized asset in 2018 when I am convinced that had Jack Grealish been strutting his stuff for Spurs we probably would have ended our trophy drought!!

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago

Clearly one positive of Scotty Parker getting the Spurs job is that he is instantly familiar with the youth academy!!

Last edited 3 years ago by David Dillenberg
MrChickenhead
MrChickenhead
3 years ago
Reply to  Cali

No and hell NO!

Dino
Dino
3 years ago
Reply to  Cali

True, but still everyone thats cost more than 20 million, has pretty much not represented value for money….you expect say 20-40%, but we’re looking at 100% lols. Having said that you cant manage a team whereby the chairman signs/keeps players you dont want.. Mourinho wanted shot of Alli & didnt want Bale…Levy wanted them both & then to compund the issue neither puts in a stint & the media were on Joses case constantly about why he never played them.

Cali
Cali
3 years ago
Reply to  justin

Are you ready for Southgate?

justin
justin
3 years ago
Reply to  Tangangry

I really liked Martin Jol – I never thought of him as a d*ck. Most Dutch people are pretty straightforward and easygoing. Having said that, I like the idea of giving a chance to English managers as they don’t often get the chance to show what they can do managing big clubs. The reason foreign coaches come in with lots of experience is that teams in some Countries are willing to give coaches a proper chance. Scott Parker is really unlikely be chosen but I thought he did really well this season in the way he set his rather limited team up.

Cali
Cali
3 years ago
Reply to  Ian

Meaning? you know it is a final game and a trophy we are not on training ground .

Ian
Ian
3 years ago
Reply to  Kevin Freund

If Leicester don’t make the champs league we may stand a chance but can’t see it. We need 5/5 to give us a chance

Ian
Ian
3 years ago
Reply to  Cali

Yes but he gave all his mates a run out !!

Cali
Cali
3 years ago
Reply to  SimonSpur

And who is responsible in your opinion? who do you think hired those average players?

Cali
Cali
3 years ago
Reply to  James McKevitt

I completely Endorse this message cheers.

Cali
Cali
3 years ago
Reply to  Dino

You missing one point how we ended up that big money signings they all came as a second choices in Levy’s penny pinching for our initial targets example Sissoko club wanted Wijnaldum Newcastle wanted £25 mill Levy started his habit while he was dragging his feet Liverpool came paid £25 mill and got him Levy panicked and window ready to close he ended up paying £30 for Sissy we ended up losing good player and money as well etc please give me a break don’t make any excuses for Levy cheers.

Cali
Cali
3 years ago

We may end up with Southgate so Levy can keep Dier and co what a joke, Mason 29 rookie comes he benched the most expensive and gifted player Ndombele of Spurs in the biggest and most important game of the season that can happen only in Spurs you couldn’t make it up.

Kevin Freund
Kevin Freund
3 years ago

That list is depressing a worryingly a wake up call to our options .

didn’t Rodgers say lots of positive stuff about Celtic ,… then he left .

MitchellThomas
MitchellThomas
3 years ago
Reply to  Tangangry

I want it all
And I want it now!

Let’s have the best of both worlds – sumptuous passing football as befits Tottenham with pragmatic, clever c*nts football if/when required

Tangangry
Tangangry
3 years ago

All I want is someone I can watch in a pre/post match presser and think “I like you, you’re not a d*ck”. I mean, the next Johnny Foreigner that comes in from the Dutch league or some hasbeen sacked from half a dozen italian clubs – well, thats no fun is it?

Scotty Parker seems a good lad, and yes, Sean Dyche would be a hoot – why in the name of jesus, mary, joseph and the wee donkey not!

I mean it’s all deckchairs on the Titanic anyway.

Tangangry
Tangangry
3 years ago
Reply to  MitchellThomas

This description sounds dangerously close to the last guy.

Is Gascoigne gonna have a crack?
Is Gascoigne gonna have a crack?
3 years ago
Reply to  The Boy

…..it’s a living

The Boy
3 years ago

They DO like it up ’em

Andrew
Andrew
3 years ago
Reply to  SimonSpur

The result of a chairman having no knowledge of, or interest in, football

The Boy
3 years ago
Reply to  Pablito

Yup

James McKevitt
James McKevitt
3 years ago
Reply to  Dino

Good point.

Is Gascoigne gonna have a crack?
Is Gascoigne gonna have a crack?
3 years ago

Watched a 7 minute we are Tottenham tv interview post final with another 2 from some other you tube channel(think only youtubers got tickets) not ONE mention of Levy/ENIC….just the players. They won’t acknowledge the hefalump in the room. It’s more than their jobs worth.

Pablito
Pablito
3 years ago

A whole list of mediocre managers who’ve won nothing and regularly spend their professional careers looking down instead of up.

They’ll all be perfect for us. We’re sh*t and so are they.

Dino
Dino
3 years ago

Tbh Im not sure Mourinho wanted Bergy, Lo no show was in the half way house when Jose signed off on him, Tanguy was a Potch signing but its fair to say the more we spend on players the bigger the disappointment … Sanchez, Sissy, Tanguy, Gio, Bergy, Soldado, Lamela close to 260 million there… lols… I mean ok we signed njie, cluedo, Janssen, Holtby & mumerous others but they were all cheap, so easy to write off the losses.. but to date who of that £270 million has actually been worth it…😂. No wonder Levys skeptical about big money signings….😏

MitchellThomas
MitchellThomas
3 years ago

I want a winner.

I want someone who expects exceptional commitment and understands the quality needed to win trophies. Pretty football and ‘spursy’ semi finals can do one from hereon in.

I want exceptional passing football when it’s appropriate.

I want pragmatic 1-0s when it’s needed.

I want someone who could give two shits about reputations, player power and Danny Rose leaking crap to the press.

I want someone who can look at Levy and say “Give me what I need Blofeld and don’t give me excuses about resale value and missing my chosen targets because of £2M difference”

I want……Steven Gerrard. Stevie G – are you up for showing Liverpool what they’re missing out on? Are you ready to come and make the club I love winners?

(Albeit you’ll be 2 years into the job and poached by England)

Last edited 3 years ago by MitchellThomas
SimonSpur
SimonSpur
3 years ago

I don’t think we’ve seen enough of Parker to make a judgement. Gerrard, well we know he’s doing his apprenticeship at Rangers before replacing Klopp in two or three seasons. Graham Potter’s an interesting one. He’s doing a good job at Brighton but, again, still early days to judge how good he is. I sincerely hope it’s not Southgate. The rest, no thank you. I think it could be Ten Haag. If it is, how long before it goes tits up under the bald control freak?

Last edited 3 years ago by Ragnar
SimonSpur
SimonSpur
3 years ago

That’s the thing in the last few seasons, it was not only Levy’s failure to invest in the squad at the right time, when he did, a fair few of the players tended to be very average. There is no proper transfer strategy at the club; it’s chaotic.

Is Gascoigne gonna have a crack?
Is Gascoigne gonna have a crack?
3 years ago

Rodgers has no interest in being ENIC fc boss says headlines….

Well, of course he hasn’t. He’s at a club in the top 4 who are likely to get CL football, he’s in a cup final, he works for owners who care about on the pitch matters and get him players he wants….why in hades would be come and work for Levy with no money, no CL football and get mixed up in the utter mess circus parody the club is?? That’s the most obvious headline of the year.

Last edited 3 years ago by Is Gascoigne gonna have a crack?
James McKevitt
James McKevitt
3 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Didn’t set the world on fire at Everton and hasn’t exactly overachieved with a world class Belgium squad.

James McKevitt
James McKevitt
3 years ago

Good point David, and there was another Italian who bought the magnificent 7 and I think that scarred Levy and put him off DOFs and advisers.

James McKevitt
James McKevitt
3 years ago
Reply to  eddie

True, Levy has turned it into a scientific project no one can understand.

eddie
eddie
3 years ago

The difference is Parker’s signings did change the fortunes of the club,although as was pointed out it was probably too late by then.

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago
Reply to  eddie

In fairness our manager was backed by the owner spending £100m on 3 players (Bergy, Lo Celso and Ndombele). Monies spent wisely. Seemingly not!!

Last edited 3 years ago by David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago

Perfect fit!

eddie
eddie
3 years ago

You’re forgetting James Justin from Luton,who I think was less than 10M.A future England international.

Alao they have a manager who is backed by the owner.It’s not so difficult is it.

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago

Where were we in the bidding for Maddison? Whist we probably deliberated the Foxes wanted this player and snapped him up quickly. Bing, bang, bash!!

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Simply astute shrewd purchases (Castagne to name but 1) reflecting a model run club with owner, manager and players all singing from the same hymn sheet!!

Last edited 3 years ago by David Dillenberg
HarryKaneIsInOurHearts
HarryKaneIsInOurHearts
3 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Bit of both I’d say, they actually have a plan of action and all seem to be singing from the same hymn sheet which makes it look a lot easier than it is!

Mike
Mike
3 years ago
Reply to  Osvaldo

And if you are focusing on younger players… then you want a manager that can play to their strengths… speed and stamina.

Mike
Mike
3 years ago

Is it that they (Leicester) got good bargains, or that they had managers who could truly develop and play to the strengths of those players?

Mike
Mike
3 years ago

Martinez (not English of course), has thrown his hat into the ring. Here are some excerpts from a tactical analysis on Martinez Style:
When thinking about how Martinez’s teams defended at Wigan, it’s important to remember two things. One, they were awful. Two, they were really really awful. (…) Wigan’s defensive system was broken. They were simply unable to prevent teams from generating lots of good shooting opportunities against them (…)
Data shows them making 17 defensive mistakes that led to goals, which was also the worst in the league.

Ring any bells?

Last edited 3 years ago by Mike
Essex Tony
Essex Tony
3 years ago
Reply to  Ian

We’ve seen the balls ups when that’s happened in the past. Levy is the ultimate control freak and thinks he knows more about football than those hired to do the footballing stuff.

Essex Tony
Essex Tony
3 years ago
Reply to  James McKevitt

And he has no clue how the toy really works and cannot understand why he keeps doing the same thing and the toy is still not working.

I feel like we’re stuck in a previously unmentioned level of hell from Dante’s Inferno.

Paddio
Paddio
3 years ago
Reply to  Ian

Relegated twice?

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago
Reply to  Osvaldo

Nightmare scenario losing both Kane and Son, but assuming they stay save for Rodon, Tangy, the Dane, Kane and Son sell the lot and start from scratch me thinks!!!!

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago
Reply to  England Mike

Talking about the Baggies sell Lloris and snap up Sam Johnstone would be my first signing!!
Agreed about Pereira.

Last edited 3 years ago by David Dillenberg
Lord Croker
Lord Croker
3 years ago

Even Max Wall gets my vote if he puts up the usual suspects that lose games from winning positions and those who surrendered in the Europa League up for sale.

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago
Reply to  Pipespurs

Add those mentioned to other dross = an average team!!

England Mike
England Mike
3 years ago

There are players out there that have the quality to step up and won’t cost crazy money , Pereira at WBA looks that type as an example.

Pipespurs
Pipespurs
3 years ago

because by the ability they were all rumoured to have they were all still bargains (although definitely weren’t) it’s again playing at being a bigger club

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago
Reply to  Ian

Remember an infamous ex Sporting Director Daniel Camolli, a legend of his own CV!!

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago
Reply to  eddie

We spent a combined figure of £100m on 3 players (Bergy, Lo Celso and Ndombele) with in truth modest return!!

Last edited 3 years ago by David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago

Comparing Spurs transfers to Leicester City

Concrete evidence on valuations of some shrewd signings made by Leicester City.

Whilst Spurs have splashed the cash arguably wasting in excess of £100m on 3 players namely Bergewijn (£27.5m), Lo Celso (£28.8m) and Ndombele (£55.45m plus add ons) listed below are valuations of a selection of Leicester City players.

Schmichel – undisclosed fee
Iheancho – £25m
Evans – £3.5m
Vardy – £1m
Castagne – £21.5m
Albrighton (released by Villa on a free) – Nil
Ndidi – £15m
Soyuncu – £18m
TIELEMANS – £40m
MADDISON – £20m
Fofana – £32m
Ayoze Perez – £30m
Harvey Barnes – a product of the Leicester youth academy
Luke Thomas – Ditto

Osvaldo
Osvaldo
3 years ago
Reply to  James McKevitt

It’s very difficult to bridge the gap. Everton have spent a lot and are a point worse off. Whoever comes in is going to need to utilise the youngsters and quickly decide which of the senior players should go.
There’s five international captains anongst the first team, plus Winks, Dier and Sissoko have I’m sure captained Spurs on the odd occasion. These players need to stand up and roll their sleeves up regardless of who is the manager.

England Mike
England Mike
3 years ago
Reply to  eddie

Very good point made about his mates at the club, that’s why I wouldn’t have him.

England Mike
England Mike
3 years ago

I think the choice of manager that takes over the reins in the coming weeks is the most important part of what is considered as the next step, for the club following the sacking of such a high profile character in Mourinho.
There are, and will be after effects on players who suffered loss of confidence, but throughout the squad it is going to take a real man manager type to restore self confidence and belief.
There are a number of players that undoubtedly need to be moved on, but those that remain will need a completely different approach and style to the one they have endured previously, without taking into account what Mason is trying to do with them now.
From those above, as much as I like Scotty I think we need a bit more experience, I like Potter he will get a bigger club in the future, as will Dyche, I wouldn’t be upset if Potter got the nod though, and I wouldn’t be too perturbed even if Sam took it, because all his teams play for him, the rest are sh#te.

James McKevitt
James McKevitt
3 years ago

Appoint who you like, Pep Guardiola would almost certainly fail at Tottenham under the Levy regime.

Until the regime goes or Levy changes it will be more of the same.

Osvaldo
Osvaldo
3 years ago
Reply to  Kiran

I quite agree. I think there is a need for someone with a footballing brain to work with Levy. Rangnick is very knowledgable and Klinsmann may also be worth a shout.

James McKevitt
James McKevitt
3 years ago
Reply to  Essex Tony

Agree.

Kiran
Kiran
3 years ago

Before Mourinho went there was talk of the club returning to a director of football/ head coach management team structure. Sounds like the Nagelsmann boat has sailed, but what about Ralph Ragnik as director of football plus young head coach (Parker or A N other)? Ragnik had a knack of unearthing rough diamonds for RB Leipzig in a similar role after moving upstairs from coach. That would sit well with Daniel’s tight purse strings, and he is also a proponent of playing fast paced and more attractive football.

Last edited 3 years ago by Kiran
James McKevitt
James McKevitt
3 years ago
Reply to  Ian

He won’t let go it’s his billion and half toy and he ain’t sharing it with anyone.

eddie
eddie
3 years ago
Reply to  Ian

I think he was allowed to spend something like 100M to turn their fortunes aroundin January.Can you imagine Levy doing that for him at Spurs?

Granted some of that was probably supplimented by outgoings and again that wouldn’t happen at Spurs.Just look at who we have been left with for the last 2-3 seasons.Deadwood Levy wants top dollar for.

I wouldn’t want what happened to Mourinho to happen to Scotty Parker,but he does have the advantage of knowing the club inside out.However would he be ruthless enough to jettison his mates at the club

Ian
Ian
3 years ago
Reply to  Essex Tony

Need a sporting director to take those ‘footballing’ responsibilities away from Levy and let him run the property/investment company

Essex Tony
Essex Tony
3 years ago

Whether it’s Scott Parker or someone else it doesn’t matter as they will all fail whilst Levy insists on thinking he knows better than them and trying to buy class players for 2 pints of lager and a packet of crisps and wondering why the deal didn’t get over the line.

Ian
Ian
3 years ago

Out of that list Scott has done well at Fulham after he sorted out how they were going to play in this league unfortunately the start of the campaign will probably cost them. He’s likeable speaks his mind and knows the club

David Dillenberg
David Dillenberg
3 years ago

Always giving his all on the pitch, one for the trenches roll up your sleeves time we could have done with the never say die attitude of 10 Scotty Parker’s at Wembley on Sunday instead of the shambolic meek surrender that unfolded. Intelligent, eloquent, familiar with our club, admiring his positive attributes it’s a big yes from moi!

Last edited 3 years ago by David Dillenberg
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