Did Spurs make the right decision sacking Harry Redknapp? Matt Campling gives his view, and runs the rule over three of the potential candidates.
The departure of Harry has not come as much of a big surprise as many may think. The results since February after the 5-2 defeat at Arsenal did not make happy viewing for Spurs fans after they took only 17 points out of a possible 36; leaving them behind their bitter arch rivals Arsenal.
The poor run of results and the disappointment of giving up third to Arsenal was compounded with the fact they were denied Champions League football by Chelsea who claimed the final spot with Champions League victory.
Many pundits and fans have pointed to the infamous Capello-gate as a turning point in Spurs’ season. Harry was widely tipped to take the England job with many bookmakers already paying out on him to be confirmed as Capello’s successor.
Was Harry already planning his England squad to take to the Euros? The tax fiasco must have also played a part in Harry’s mind not being completely on Spurs.
Whatever the reason Harry’s reign in North London has come to, in my eyes, a premature end. Spurs now have to find the replacement that will propel Tottenham into title-contenders year in, year out.
The early front runner for the White Hart Lane hot seat has emerged as David Moyes, third longest running manager in the Premier League.
Moyes has taken Everton to the top European competition and to an FA Cup final with little funds in comparison to his counterparts.
Moyes has become an extremely respected and highly sort-after manager. The Spurs job would provide Moyes with a new challenge and Levy would certainly provide funds available to strengthen a team on the brink of losing high-profile names. From a fans perspective, Moyes would be an ideal replacement.
Another good man-manager, he could persuade big name players to stay – but could he attract the world-class player that Spurs fans crave so much?
Two former fan’s favourites could potentially be in the mix to take over; one more likely than the other. Gus Poyet has done an unbelievable job at Brighton, steering them back to the Championship.
A charismatic manager who spent three seasons at Spurs, he quickly became a fan’s favourite. Poyet has shown an aptitude for management, much the same as his former Chelsea team-mate Roberto Di-Matteo. Could Poyet do the unthinkable and replicate what Di-Matteo has done at Chelsea? Unlikely.
Chelsea already had a team filled with experience and class but Poyet could certainly bring a bit of Latin American flair to a Spurs team who created chances and looked solid for most of the season, but when they were on the back foot offered little spark to re-ignite games.
Again, it would be an inviting opportunity for Poyet to make it in the top division and come back to prove himself to Spurs fans in the dugout after an ill-fated spell as first team coach under Juande Ramos, a tenure that led to Harry’s appointment.
The second fan’s favourite, of which his celebration has experienced cult status, is the current USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann.
Klinsmann had an illustrious career playing in the top leagues of Europe and representing his country at various major tournaments.
Although only spending two seasons at Spurs, he was affectionately adopted by the fans and won the PWA award in his first spell. Klinsmann, a European and World Cup winner, has only had one season at club level. The standards and expectations that you come to expect from Bayern Munich meant it was arguably an unsuccessful season.
Quarter finals of the Champions League and a second placed finish ended with a high-profile spat with directors that cost Klinsmann his job. Klinsmann endured a more successful spell prior to Bayern with Germany, leading them to third placed in the 2006 World Cup on home soil.
Klinsmann was highly praised for his work with Germany; his first managerial post. What can be made of Klinsmann inexperience at club level is unknown. An obvious wealth of playing experience at the top level could only benefit Spurs, and Klinsmann would be able to attract world class players that Tottenham so desire.
However, would Klinsmann be willing to give up his adopted country, after all he will almost certainly lead them to the World Cup finals in Brazil, a bigger stage than the Premier League?
Whoever takes over at White Hart Lane, the first priority will be for the man to persuade the top players to stay and fight for a Champions League spot.
Failure to do this, added to not bringing in other top players, may result in a short, unsuccessful spell for the new Tottenham manager, and even cause Daniel Levy to reflect that sacking Harry was the wrong decision.
The pressure is on more than ever to get it right, and his tenure as chairman could just be defined by it.
Who do you want as the next Spurs boss?
image: © Doha Stadium Plus
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