AVB doesn’t excite me, but I’ll give him a chance
So, at long last, the club has officially announced (via Twitter only at the time of writing, because their web site crashed) the news that most of us have known about for what seems like ages. That is – Andre Villas-Boas has been appointed as head coach today (Tuesday 3rd July, 2012).
Rumour has it that Villas-Boas will not be presented to the press until the players return for training next Monday 9th July, so there is very, very little additional information at this time. He does have a three year contract.
There is not a lot new about “AVB” that I can offer, only my opinion about the appointment and Spurs’ prospects under his leadership.
To be honest, the last time I got excited about a managerial appointment at Spurs was in March 2001, when Glenn Hoddle took over from “GGG” (Gooner George Graham). Sadly, Glenn’s tenure turned into something of a disaster, so I have leant to be more restrained over the succession of Santini, Jol, and Ramos. If I am honest, I was quite enthused by the arrival of Harry Redknapp who on the night he was appointed was interviewed by Sky and did refer to Spurs as “we”.
My views on Harry’s departure have been previously recorded, and I also declared that whoever got the job would be on trial with most Spurs fans.
“AVB”’s appointment does not excite me because of my restraint, but also because I do not consider him to be the big name I would have liked to see in the chair. However, because Harry failed to secure third place and Champions League football (in which case he would surely not have left), Spurs are not in position to attract the very biggest names in football management.
“AVB” will have plenty to prove to himself, to THFC, and to the Premier League, after his experience at Chelsea last season. Was his failure there purely down to the influence of the old guard there? I don’t know.
We all know that Villas-Boas is a master technician when it comes to football strategy and tactics, and many will have seen an example of his research and notes when he worked under Mourinho at Chelsea a few years ago. I wondered last season if he was just too technical and complicated for your average Premier League footballer. Certainly, his approach will be more advanced than Harry’s famous “I just told him to f***ing run about a bit!”
Villas-Boas got the sack after Chelsea lost to Roy Hodgson’s West Brom in March. This came at the end of a run of 9 games with only two wins. Another of his defeats was at Goodison Park where Spurs loanee Steven Pienaar scored a cracking goal. AVB may renew that acquaintance next week, although, of course, Pienaar has other issues at home at this time!
We know about the success of our new coach when he led Porto to four trophies in the 2010-11 season. The target given to him by Daniel Levy will no doubt be very demanding, seeking Champions League qualification at the very least.
Perhaps by the time Villas-Boas is formally presented to the media, there will be some news of player arrivals, such as Vertonghen.
Villas-Boas may have been the “Sorcerer’s apprentice” under “The Special One”, and we would all love to see him become the sorcerer at Tottenham. I’ll be giving him every chance to succeed at Tottenham, and I sincerely hope that Spurs can complete their transfer business before the start of the new season, and that they will be ready for action from Day One!
Official Club announcement:-
The Club is delighted to announce that Andre Villas-Boas has joined as our new Head Coach on a 3 year contract.
Andre was previously at Porto and led them to an undefeated season in the league, winning four trophies and becoming the youngest manager ever to win a European title in the process, before joining Chelsea and extending his run to 39 games undefeated.
Commenting on the appointment, Chairman, Daniel Levy said: “I am delighted that Andre has agreed to become our new Head Coach. He has an outstanding reputation for his technical knowledge of the game and for creating well-organised teams capable of playing football in an attractive and attacking style. Andre shares our long-term ambitions and ethos of developing players and nurturing young talent, and he will be able to do so now at a new world class Training Centre.”
Speaking as the new Head Coach, Andre Villas-Boas said, “Tottenham Hotspur is a great club with a strong tradition and fantastic support, both at home and throughout the world. I feel privileged to be its coach. For me, this is one of the most exciting coaching positions in the Premier League. I have had several discussions with the Chairman and the Board and I share their vision for the future progress of the Club. This is a squad any coach would love to work with and together I believe we can bring success in the seasons ahead."
Andre brings with him two members of his coaching staff - First Team fitness coach Jose Mario Rocha and Daniel Sousa, head of opposition scouting.
Daniel Levy continued: "We are constantly looking to move the Club forward. It is important that we now look to develop the potential within the squads at all levels, whilst strengthening the First Team in the summer in key positions with players who will become part of the future success of the Club.”
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