The Infectious Enthusiasm of Andre Villas-Boas at Tottenham

Andre Villas-Boas delighted to be Tottenham mamnager

The opening games of the season have shown Andre Villas-Boas to be a man of great passion and enthusiasm for Tottenham. He has jumped around on the touchline and enjoyed every goal and celebrated as every fan has done while agonising over everything that hasn’t gone in favour of Spurs. He is a young man in a hurry who passionately wants to succeed and prove that he is worthy of his position as Head Coach of Tottenham Hotspur. He is acutely aware that there are elements in the media awaiting his downfall but when events go in his and Tottenham’s way, he fully enjoys the moment.

This is in complete contrast to previous managers who could be said to have kept heir countenance through good and bad, accepting success and failure with equal measure. Over time, however, this came to look like a lack of desire and drive so it’s especially pleasing to see Villas-Boas displaying his emotions in the full view of the world. The manager has spoken from the beginning with a passion for the club, his role and his ambitions for Tottenham. On pitch side his actions mirror his beliefs and feelings.

From a young manager with Chelsea who was portrayed as serious and cool, with the cares of the world on his shoulders and frequently maligned in the press he has been transformed to a coach at White Hart Lane who is living every moment of the occasion which he has shown since the opening day of the season.

Andre Villas-Boas celebrates Defoe’s goal at Newcastle

The fans have warmed to the enthusiasm displayed by Villas-Boas and supported him even when everything wasn’t going well in the opening matches. He has taken decisions that weren’t always as expected but he’s stood up to be counted. The first win was a weight off the manager’s mind and throughout, every goal has been celebrated and he, and his coaching staff enjoyed the success at Old Trafford as Spurs ended twenty three years of waiting for an away win over Manchester United. Villas-Boas deserved credit for that success.

Andre Villas-Boas and the staff celebrate at old Trafford [Photo: Paul Currie – Action Images]

Villas-Boas celebrates alone with Steffen Freund and Jermain Defoe in the background

In every match Villas-Boas prowls the technical area urging his team to greater effort, guiding them and passing on instructions for slight adjustments within the team’s play. He is continually up and down from his seat in the dug-out, unable to relax. A young man full of energy and desire for his team, Tottenham, to do well. At breaks in play he is talking to the players, listening to their comments – not just barking out instructions. Changed days for the players who are aware of the difference in approach and have responded positively.

Lack of emotion from Harry redknapp

Tottenham supporters became dismayed by the lack of presence exhibited by former manager, Harry Redknapp, especially in the final months of last season as the team’s form fell away allowing Arsenal to close the gap on Spurs and claim third place in the Premier League. As results went against Tottenham, Redknapp was mostly to be found sitting in his seat motionless and emotionless. No ideas were forthcoming to turn the game round, he and his coaching staff appeared to be accepting of the situation, unable to offer any advice or support to the team.  Equally annoying was Redknapp’s lukewarm response to the goal awarded to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea at Wembley when the ball hadn’t reached the line, never mind cross it. This lack of passion and desire turned many fans against Redknapp especially as they and the club had loyally and fully supported him earlier in the season during his court case.

Now they have a manager prepared to show passionate support for his team, in the same manner that every fan does at every match. In the dying moments of last Sunday’s match as he returned to his seat for the final time, knowing that the match was won, Villas-Boas allowed himself a quiet moment of self-satisfaction, with a slight smile and a small gesture with clenched fists to indicate, ‘Yes!’ – a job well done.

Andre Villas-Boas is looking to be a winner – he has a point to prove in English football and he wants to do it with Tottenham. He spoke on his appointment of feeling wanted at the club and he has responded in a very positive and public way. The next match, at home to Chelsea, means a great deal to him and he spoke of the importance of the match after the win over Aston Villa.

"“This gives us the opportunity to play the league leaders at home, undefeated and a good chance to go nearer the top. It is obviously going to be  a difficult game but we are showing a good level of competence. It will give us a chance to finally break into the top four and join the elite of the Premier League. That’s what we have been wanting for quite some time.”"

Andre Villas-Boas winning people over with his enthusiasm for Tottenham