Nuno, you were not the clubs first choice (but you will do)!

Nuno, you were not the clubs first choice (but you will do)!

It seems that the potential managers were made to walk around Daniel Levy’s personal labyrinth amusement garden so that he could pick the one that pleased him the most, while all and sundry looked on and chuckled amongst themselves.  Ever since Pochettino and then Mourinho was sacked, the whole thing became a media circus of fun for the tabloids and broadsheets.

However, when Pochettino was sacked, it was straightforward as Mourinho was waiting to bounce and take over. But Levy being Levy, didn’t like that choice, so fired Jose, and the merry-go-around was about to commence (or re-commence). Nuno Espirito Santo was finally named after 70 days of fun and games and well below a host of other names that were also considered, to finally be designated as our new head coach.

Pochettino-Mourinho-Mason-Nuno was how the nursery rhyme went for the school children and adults alike. Yes, Jose Mourinho was sacked in late April, just six days before a League Cup Final. Ryan Mason was placed in charge as short-term head coach until the end of the season, but he was asked to stand by just in case the search continued into perpetuity, but it never did, thanks to Levy’s quick 70-day conclusion came to an end. But not before we were linked with a whole host of names, from Julian Nagelsmann to Antonio Conte, Erik ten Hag, Paulo Fonseca, Gennaro Gattuso, and, yes, even Mauricio Pochettino, and then finally, Nuno. Oh, so exhausting for everybody concerned, but we got there in the end.

Now, as I said, Levy had his doubts about Mourinho’s friend, so he wasn’t at the top of his wish list; nonetheless, Fabio Paratici, it has been said, has admired the ex-Wolves manager for some time. So it was because of his influence that we now have him working for us.

The Question

What all good journalists do (and even some bad ones) is to ask that embarrassing question about not being on top of the pile of applicants; on that, Nuno smiled, with a twinkle in his eyes, he came out with that standard line of being happy at N17 and Tottenham.

He then went on and added (as reported by Football London): “I cannot speak about what happened. What I can tell you is that I am so proud. The moment I had the phone call that I had a chance to have a meeting with Tottenham, everything changed. Everything in my perspective changed. I am where I wanted to be. Where I wished to be. So this is what I’m delighted of. The concerns around the club, it’s normal. All the expectations around big clubs are huge, and you have to be prepared for that, but the way you prepare yourself is to ignore all the noise, focus on the things you have to control and what I can control is to prepare the players, and this is what I’m doing on a daily basis. Every moment of the training session, I’m looking to find the best way.”

My thoughts

The only concern I/ we have is how much financial support will Levy give Nuno? Who cares what number he was in line in Levy’s network of names, he is here, and we should give him our total support. Besides, what number in the warren he was in won’t make him better or worse, Coach. I am sure he will be his own man with his own ideas about making Tottenham great again. As he will know, the team needs to refresh with new ways and methods.

To be honest, not all clubs manage to get their first choice manager, but they still go on and win things. However, if things start to go pear-shaped, I don’t think the finger will be pointed at Nuno, but Levy. Levy will have to learn that if he keeps sacking the managers, it won’t keep the heat away from him forever. Supporters, media and even the wider footballing world will start to question (if they haven’t already) his judgement and his competence in being a chairman of a top football club. But let us hope he has got it right this time. After twenty years in charge and only one trophy to show for it, the fans now deserve the good times to come rolling back.

Let us give Nuno a chance; so far, the noises coming out of the club are all positive; the next step is for Fabio Paratici to do what he is paid to do and supply the right players for our new Head coach to plot his course to success and trophies. That is all we want!

All the best, Glenn