Tottenham Hotspur’s manager search continues as they struggle to find a replacement for Jose Mourinho; maybe it’s time to consider Marcelo Gallardo.
This has been a disastrous search for a new manager. Mourinho left more than two months ago, and Tottenham still haven’t found somebody to take his place.
Brendan Rodgers and Erik ten Hag quickly made it clear they weren’t moving. Mauricio Pochettino couldn’t be brought back, talks with Antonio Conte collapsed, Paulo Fonseca looked nailed on for the job before an 11th hour U-turn by Spurs.
They then went for Gennaro Gattuso, but that deal quickly fell apart too. Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici are scrambling trying to find a new manager, and it may be time to cast the net a little further afield.
The targets so far have all been in England or Europe, so how about targeting the top manager in South America?
Gallardo and his style of play
Gallardo has become one of the most successful River Plate managers of all time. He’s won three league titles and two Copa Libertadores titles with the club. His total trophy haul with River now stands at 12.
The 45-year-old even won a league title at Nacional in Uruguay. In his two managerial jobs so far, he has done almost nothing but win.
Branded a ‘wizard’ by Goal, Gallardo has been simply amazing at River. Influenced by Marcelo Bielsa and Pep Guardiola, Gallardo’s style of play fits what Daniel Levy wanted when he demanded free-flowing attacking football from Tottenham’s next boss.
Gallardo even built a River side based on defending early into his reign, fitting what Paratici wants at Tottenham.
Gallardo has used a 4-3-3 for much of 2021, but has also switched to three at the back in 3-1-4-2 or 3-4-3 systems, or even playing a midfield diamond as he did for much of his time at the club.
The Argentinian’s sides tend to play possession football, building from the back whilst relying heavily on full backs getting forward to support the attack.
His high-pressing, high-possession style is a major change from Jose Mourinho, but having been so successful in Argentina, Tottenham can offer him a route to Europe, where he can potentially challenge the likes of Bielsa, Pochettino and Diego Simeone in time.
Tottenham landing Gallardo won’t be easy, but it’s worth a shot
Gallardo will want to be very specific when choosing his next job. He’s built himself up brilliantly with River, and he’s already believed to have rejected a move to Barcelona in 2020.
Tottenham don’t quite have the stature of Barcelona, but with a full rebuild coming, they can give him almost a blank slate to build the team as he wants it, of course with the help of Paratici.
Tottenham haven’t inspired confidence throughout this managerial pursuit, but a bold move for Gallardo would show some ambition and a willingness to think a little more outside of the box rather than just going for Nuno Espirito Santo.
Of course, bringing Gallardo straight from South America to the Premier League is a risk; it’s not often you see managers making that kind of move.
For Tottenham though, they need to make a statement after a dismal search. By really pushing for Gallardo, Tottenham fans could be brought back on side.
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