Who’s Next For Tottenham Manager?

Glenn Hoddle [Photo: Logan Holmes]Andre Villas-Boas has gone and now the process of finding his replacement begins in earnest. There has been speculation for some weeks concerning AVB’s future at Tottenham with rumours of lists of candidates being drawn up as the performances and results went against him.

Now the deed has been done, we can start to consider who’s available to take on what is very much a poisoned chalice as manager of Tottenham Hotspur. In many cases few managers have had more than the regulation 18 months that AVB has been in office.

Who’s Next?

Tim Sherwood – will take charge of the team for Wednesday’s Capital One Cup game against West Ham and the match at Southampton. He will be assisted by Les Ferdinand and Chris Ramsey. Steffen Freund and Tony Parks have remained at the club but the other members of AVB’s coaching staff have left. Hopefully, Sherwood’s time as caretaker manager won’t drag on as long as when David Pleat stepped in in 2003 after the sacking of Glenn Hoddle. Pleat remained in control from September until the end of the season when Jacques Santini was appointed for what turned out to be  a very brief period.

Glenn Hoddle – many would favour the re-appointment of the former Spurs player and manager. They feel that he has unfinished business at White Hart Lane and his previous time as manager was cut short prematurely. Factors in his favour are that he has true feelings for the club where he spent 13 years and had such a successful playing career. He understands the club’s history and the desire to play with style. He is also available as he isn’t at a club but that is something against him as well as he has been out of management for such a period. He talks a good game as a television pundit but would he be able to get that message across to his players?

Michael Laudrup – has made a good impression at Swansea with some astute signings and his team has always played football in a style similar to that which fans want to see at White Hart Lane. Being in a position at a club in the Premier League, Swansea would be very reluctant to release him in mid-season knowing that they would then struggle to find a replacement.

Fabio Capello – has been linked with Tottenham in the past and has a very successful club career behind him. He was at White Hart Lane yesterday, seen by Alan who had the misfortune to witness the debacle first-hand, and there is a photograph of him at the ground on the ‘From the Lane’ message board. He has the experience to organise a team into a successful unit and has worked with the current Tottenham Director of Football, Franco Baldini, who was his assistant while with England. Would he want to return to club football with his Russia team in the World Cup finals in Brazil next summer?

Harry Redknapp – he pulled Spurs out of a mess in 2008 when replacing Juande Ramos and took the club into the Champions League for the one and only time. Some would want his return but his departure from White Hart Lane in 2012 was not handled well by either side. Many would be opposed to his re-appointment as they had tired of his too frequent comments in the media and the type of players he wanted to sign.

Roberto Di Matteo – he worked as assistant to AVB and then replaced him at Chelsea. He took them to Champions League success and an FA Cup win but having been appointed as permanent manager that summer he lost his position the following November, after 10 months in charge, winning 2 trophies.

USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jurgen Klinsmann – a name mentioned after the defeat to City but he has since signed a new contract to continue in his role as manager of the United States team who he has taken to next summer’s World Cup finals. Another former Tottenham player but I always wonder how committed would he be long-term to club management.

Guus Hiddink – the vastly experienced manager had a spell at Chelsea from February, 2009 to the end of the season. He only lost once while in charge at Stamford Bridge, 1 – 0 at White Hart Lane when Luka Modric scored. Chelsea won the FA Cup that season and since leaving the west London club he has managed Turkey and 18 months with Anzhi. It is thought that the 67 year old Dutchman will take over as manager of the Netherlands at the end of the World Cup.

Frank de Boer – manager of Ajax since 2010, they have won 3 titles. After his successful playing career, he returned to Ajax as a coach and has worked with both Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen.