Alasdair Gold has suggested on Periscope that Tottenham Hotspur see Erik ten Hag as ‘another Mauricio Pochettino’.
Ten Hag appears to be on Tottenham’s wishlist for their next manager, even if he isn’t their first choice.
It emerged yesterday that Spurs are pushing hard to land Pochettino from PSG, with a shock return now a possibility.
However, if Tottenham don’t land Pochettino, it is becoming clear that Ten Hag is next in line.
Gold says that Tottenham see the Ajax manager as very similar to the Argentine boss, and believe he has the credentials to fit what they are looking for.
“He’s a funny one, his situation,” Gold said. “He had that contract extension and it looked at the time that he was signing a new deal, but the more you looked at it, it seemed like Ajax taking an option up to extend his contract by his year just for compensation reasons. It looks like that’s the case.
“Everything I’m hearing about Ten Hag is that Spurs see him as very much similar to Pochettino in the sense he’s a players’ coach and can improve what they have got and bring them on. He’s excellent with younger players.
“The only thing I would say he doesn’t have and people in the Netherlands have said this to me is that he doesn’t have the charisma that Pochettino has.
“He’s very straight down the line and straight forward and cracks on with that he has to do.
“I wouldn’t discount him if Spurs can’t get Pochettino, he’s seen as another Pochettino.”
The new Poch?
There is even an argument to suggest that Ten Hag could be a more appealing coach to some Tottenham fans than Pochettino.
While Pochettino has been at Spurs before, Ten Hag at least would give Tottenham a fresh start.
It is clear that Spurs are chasing a coach right now, rather than a high profile boss in the mould of Jose Mourinho, though.
Ten Hag has delivered great success at Ajax in an attractive style.
And if Spurs are unable to land Pochettino, then that blow could certainly be softened by his arrival.
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