I’m biting my tongue a bit since domestic cups are this weekend and champions league is next, but if there isn’t a manager signed in the next fortnight it’s negligent incompetence. It will have been near enough three months since Conte was sacked. The club should have had a shortlist before Conte went. Due diligence should have been done by this point, all that should left is to negotiate and hire.
You do know this is Tottenham Hotspur we're talking about and that Daniel Levy is the chairman? What evidence have you seen in the last 22 years that this search would unfold any differently?
You're Pele10 from The Guardian BTL aren't you? The only other online commenter who hates Levy as much as you do.
Over the last 22 years? There's plenty of evidence. Santini ... Ramos ... Poch ... Mourinho ... (and maybe AVB, I can't remember) ... these were all hirings for which the groundwork had been done and the pieces were in place for a timely hire. As I've often suggested, a greater indictment against Levy's due diligence is the fact that his less diligently prepared hirings (Jol, Redknapp) tended to have more success. At any rate, to LAA's point, there was a shortlist, and due diligence was underway, but the timing of Conte's exit wasn't down to Levy. Conte jumped well before Levy was ready to push him. And it was when it came to that simple 'negotiate and hire' step that shit went way wrong. Preferred candidates are now balking at offers that would have been more tempting in the past ... before the challenges of working for Levy came into such clear focus over the last five or so years. That's very, very much on the chairman, so fair enough. But it's not a 22-year-old problem. Or even close. Edit: now that I think about it, Poch may not have been as laid out, as we may have pursued van Gaal or de Boer prior, but I seem to remember him being in place early enough to direct our summer. Apologies if that bites wrong.
Here's a good read on the search for a new TD. It's "free" if you don't have javascript on. https://theathletic.com/4527400/2023/05/18/tottenham-director-of-football/ Or simply read this key takeaway: The article goes on to name Pinto (Roma) and Tim Steidten (was at Leverkusen) as candidates, but suggests ruling out Lee Dykes (Brentford). When I google search for the new Spurs TD, de Conde of Genk is the top find. His record is impressive: over a quarter-billion in transfer revenue since 2015. IMO it would make more sense to hire a TD first. Sorting out this position is more important as far as the summer transfer window is concerned and I think will likely influence who gets to be manager.
Has to be a very rapid decision then and Levy has to be careful therefore not to rush into the wrong decision. It's a tough ask but an extremely valid point you've made. I've always tried to remain onside with Levy but now I'm beginning to consider that many of my fellow Spurs followers, who have blamed him for our consistent problems, were right.
An insight from a Celtic fan: Postecoglou demands a lot of control in the internal affairs of any club he manages. He will clear out those players who oppose his methods and if Tottenham hold talks with him, he will have significant demands, maybe not so much regarding wages, but concerning the way how transfers are conducted, and the relationship between him, players and Munn/Levy. If I'm correct, there's a players' committee that meets with Levy every so often? Ange would not let players have that kind of power. IMO, he's not ready for Spurs yet. There's no big CV that backs him up enough to be able to command everyone's respect. I'd rather he stayed with us.
For me that's the sort of character Tottenham needs. A bit like Bill Nicholson........strict, no nonsense. I'd take Gallardo or Enrigue before Postecoglou but I'd be fairly ok with him. For you, if he leaves, David Moyes would be a good fit.
People are afraid Moyes is be too old-fashioned. I like data analysis and modern approach to fitness etc., but Moyes' tactics are what we could do with in Europe- he's not above parking a bus. Postecoglou only uses a destroyer MF when he needs to. Thankfully, he recognized Europe was it. I'm honestly curious how he'd do in Europe with said destroyer (Iwata) protecting the back line. For your woes with the back line, I have no idea whom would he try to sign. But expect inverted full backs if he opts for a 4-3-3.
His teams seem to start well then fade, Leicester being a prime example. But there again no manager can buck tradition. That's the 12th time they've been relegated from the top flights i.e. first division and PL but I still don't think BR is right for Spurs.
All the UK news people are saying the Celtic manager is on the verge of signing for Spurs :::: Incoming Spurs boss Postecoglou ready to raid Celtic for £30million striker as long-term replacement for Harry Kane
✓ Plays attacking football ✓ Doesn't see Spurs job as beneath him ✓ Not afraid to bench established players if they don't perform ✓ Rebuilt teams from scratch ✓ Long surname that starts with P
When the whole thing started (that is, when Conte left) and we had this long list of possibilities, Postecoglu was nowhere near the top of it for me. But he's getting closer! Just one or two more rejections, and he'll be my favored pick!!
If there is any man who could ******** up this appointment, it is Daniel Levy. The only things that remotely impress me about him is that he was born in Greece and that he is not Nuno. The fact that Celtic conceded 34 goals in a pub league would concern me as well. I have Poch, Nagelsmann, Slot, Amorim and even Rodgers ahead of him. If we had a proper chairman and not a rinky dink negotiator at the helm, we would have had one of our top 3 candidates in situ by now. But we are not going to get anyone better so why not? At this point, the only thing that would excite me is new ownership.