Toby Alderweireld, the retired Belgian defender who left Tottenham in 2021 after 236 appearances, played in Qatar and for Royal Antwerp, and retired in mid-2025, has said he’s open to returning to Spurs in a non-playing, behind-the-scenes capacity.
Toby highlighted the strong team spirit from the Pochettino era (mentioning players like Son Heung-min, Harry Kane, himself, and Jan Vertonghen) as a model, and contrasted it with current struggles. Tottenham is in a tough spot in the Premier League (relegation-threatened as of recent reports), and Alderweireld has been vocal about squad issues and leadership.
“Yeah, for sure. It’s up to someone else to decide if I have the qualities and about the right position, but I would do everything in my power. I think I have good connections with the fans and the club. I know the club, I played there for six years.
If Tottenham need help, I’m there, why not? I think the other guys would feel the same. We had a wonderful team at that time, that was our strength. If I think about Sonny, Harry Kane, myself, Jan Vertonghen, they were down-to-earth people, good guys. They always put the club number one. Those are the people you want in your club.”
He returned to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as a special guest for a Champions League match in March 2026 and received a warm reception. This comes amid fan frustration with the current setup and calls for more ex-players in roles (similar to how Jan Vertonghen and others have been involved).
Many Spurs fans would welcome him back in a coaching, mentoring, or academy role, given his experience and connection to the club. Whether the club pursues it depends on the board and recruitment decisions. It’s a feel-good story for fans nostalgic for the more stable periods under Pochettino.
