Jonathan Woodgate wants to see Tottenham Hotspur put their faith in a British boss with former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe perfect for the job, the former England international has told talkSPORT (22 April, 8.40am).
According to The Athletic, Spurs are dreaming of a coach who not only plays an attractive brand of attacking football but is also capable of fostering a harmonious atmosphere behind the scenes while developing the club’s treasure trove of young talent.
Enter Eddie Howe.
The 43-year-old may have spent his time following Bournemouth’s relegation on the golf course, but he appears to tick all three boxes for the Tottenham board.
An unfancied, unfashionable Cherries side played some of the tidiest, prettiest football in the Premier League at times under Howe, punching consistently above their weight.
Meanwhile, the likes of Lewis Cook, Josh King, Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser became established, top-flight stars on the South Coast.
And Woodgate thinks his former employers could do a lot worse than look at Howe – even if he’s not holding out too much hope.
“I think they will go foreign again – I do think that – although I’d like to see a British manager get the chance,” says Woodgate, who succeeded Howe in the Bournemouth dugout following a miserable spell at Middlesbrough.
“Why not put Eddie Howe in there? He’d do a great job – but you never know which way they’re going to go.”
Brendan Rodgers has also been linked.
But, after the Northern Irishman all-but ruled himself out of contention, Woodgate believes Spurs are fighting a losing battle if they want to lure the Leicester City boss away from the King Power.
“Leicester are going to be in the Champions League, aren’t they? It depends on the package Tottenham are going to have to offer him – players coming in, players going out, will Son stay, will Harry Kane stay?”
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