How Tottenham’s managers of the last decade compare
By Gary Pearson
3. André Villas-Boas – 2012-2013
Some people will think that Villas-Boas and Mourinho should switch places at numbers three and four.
Another Portuguese manager, Villas-Boas resembled uncannily Mourinho’s path to managerial superstardom. The young prodigy in 2011 became the youngest manager, 33 years and 213 days, to win a European competition. His Porto defeated fellow Portuguese side Braga 1-0 in the Europa League Final.
The charismatic gaffer took the lead at Spurs after being dismissed by Chelsea. Villa Boas to this day has the highest winning percentage of any Spurs manager in the Premier League era. He won 44 of his 80 matches in charge, a 55 percent winning rate. While winning 55 percent of matches is no easy feat, Villas-Boas’ sample size is comparatively small, lessening the impact of the achievement.
He didn’t last two full seasons in charge; the Portuguese was relieved of his duties in December 2013, just a few months into his second season as Tottenham gaffer.
Villas-Boas’ Spurs beat Manchester United for the first time in 23 years at Old Trafford, a profound moment in club history.
Even though Tottenham finished a point adrift of fourth place and an all-coveted Champions Leagues spot, they set a new club record by amassing 72 points. At the time, it was the highest points tally ever achieved by any club in the Premier League not to finish in the top four.
Tottenham also qualified for the Europa League quarterfinal after an epic comeback victory in the Round of 16 against Inter Milan. Spurs lost in the quarterfinal to Basel.