Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to sack Harry Redknapp has opened up a spot at one of the English Premier League’s biggest clubs. Despite playing Europa League football in 2012/13, Spurs finished in the league’s top four and can rightfully be considered to offer one of the premier jobs in English football. Theirs is a position which is likely to appeal to some of the most accomplished managers in world football.
Inside Futbol look at the top contenders to succeed Redknapp at White Hart Lane:
Andre Villas-Boas
Unattached – last job Chelsea
Age: 34 years old
Rewind the clock 12 months and Andre Villas-Boas was rated as one of the most promising managers in world football, having just led FC Porto to the Portuguese league, Portuguese Cup and Europa League trophies. A miserable spell at Chelsea, which raised question marks over his man-management skills, particularly with regards to senior players, has dented his reputation sufficiently that he was overlooked by both Roma and Liverpool recently. Nevertheless, Villas-Boas would no doubt love the opportunity to rebuild his reputation at White Hart Lane and, having bossed Chelsea, albeit briefly, he knows what to expect from English football. Was Villas-Boas’ Chelsea failure a one-off? Will Spurs choose to find out?
>>>> Latest Odds on Andre Villas-Boas to be Spurs manager.
Roberto Martinez
Current Job: Wigan Athletic
Age: 38 years old
Roberto Martinez appears ready to take the next step up the managerial ladder and held talks with Liverpool this summer. The Reds ultimately chose Brendan Rodgers, but how much of that was due to a preference for the Northern Irishman and how much down to the unhappiness Dave Whelan’s running commentary on their chase for Martinez, is unclear. The Spaniard has transformed Wigan into a footballing side which survived, quite a feat on its own. His tactical nous, adopting a 3-4-3/5-4-1 which baffled the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle United, is a particular feather in his cap. Counting against Martinez is that Spurs have higher expectations than avoiding relegation, and so he is a gamble on that front. The Spaniard has also never managed a team in European competition.
>>>> Latest Odds on Roberto Martinez to be Spurs manager.
David Moyes
Current Job: Everton
Age: 49 years old
David Moyes’ stock amongst the English media is sky high, due to ten years of relative success at Everton. With Toffees fans though the reaction is now lukewarm, with complaints about defensive football, the lack of a plan B and a failure to adapt over the years of his reign; Everton’s tepid display in last season’s FA Cup final against Liverpool also counted against the Scot. Moyes though has a good record in the transfer market, and has led Everton to punch far above their weight in the Premier League. With more money the former Preston boss might be able to play a more expansive game and have his sides score more goals. A common sense appointment for Spurs, but one which may not fit into their demand for an attractive style of football.
>>>> Latest Odds on David Moyes to be Spurs manager.
Fabio Capello
Unattached – last job England
Age: 65 years old
The Italian always appeared ill at ease as England manager and is certainly more suited to club football than the international game. His record in that arena is impressive, with titles won in both Italy and Spain, and Capello has worked with the biggest names in the game. The 65-year-old’s presence at White Hart Lane would undoubtedly tempt many stars to join Spurs, even without Champions League football, and Capello feeling he has a point to prove in England may also work in Tottenham’s favour. However, the Italian is not a cheap option and would no doubt demand not just a large salary, but also a large transfer budget which he would feel is needed for him to have a realistic chance of winning the Premier League. At 65 too, Capello may not be a long term appointment.
>>>> Latest Odds on Fabio Capello to be Spurs manager.
Jurgen Klinsmann
Current Job: United States Coach
Age: 47 years old
Klinsmann enjoyed a successful spell as a player with Tottenham between 1994 and 1995, and has kept the London club close to his heart. His appointment would be a popular one, but the fact remains that the former striker’s only spell in club football, in charge of Bayern Munich in 2008/09, was something of a failure. Players mocked his new age training methods and the German giants shipped goals for fun. Nevertheless, Klinsmann would argue he kept the Bavarians in the hunt for the Bundesliga and reached the Champions League quarter-finals. International football, with Klinsmann now in charge of the United States, where his family are settled, seems to suit the German more and persuading him to move to Spurs would be tough.
>>>> Latest Odds on Jurgen Klinsmann to be Spurs manager.
Rafael Benitez
Unattached – last job Inter
52 years old
A double La Liga-winning manager when both Barcelona and Real Madrid were forces to be reckoned with and possessed vastly superior budgets, a UEFA Cup-winning manager and a Champions League-winning manager – Rafael Benitez must imagine what he has to do to get back into the game at one of Europe’s biggest clubs. The Spaniard has been out of work since failing to keep the Inter train rolling after the club won the Champions League in 2010 and saw Jose Mourinho leave. In fairness to Benitez, the problem of Inter’s ageing and underperforming squad is one Leonardo, Gian Piero Gasperini and Claudio Ranieri have all been unable to address. Benitez though appears a somewhat divisive figure, despite his success and his insistence on a big transfer budget may scupper thoughts of a switch to Spurs.
>>>> Latest Odds on Rafael Benitez to be Spurs manager.
Tottenham Manager betting: Run-down of the contenders at Inside-bet.com
