According to Football London, one of the names on Tottenham’s list of managerial targets is Max Allegri.
The Italian is one of the most successful gaffers in the game at the moment, and he would undoubtedly be an exciting appointment at Spurs.
However, there is one thing holding Tottenham back.
Indeed, the report states that Spurs are hesitant about Allegri due to the fact he doesn’t speak English, but we can’t help but feel their stance is wrong here.
Yes, we can understand why Spurs want someone who can speak English, it makes communication a lot easier, but it shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.
Just look at someone like Marcelo Bielsa. He’s been in England for three years at this point and he still has to use an interpreter.
However, Leeds’ meteoric rise under Bielsa speaks for itself, and the fact that he was nominated for FIFA’s Best Men’s Coach award last year tells you all you need to know about how good a job he’s done, despite not being able to speak English.
In fact, Tottenham should know better than anyone that a language barrier isn’t the be-all and end-all when it comes to management.
Mauricio Pochettino famously couldn’t speak English when he arrived in the UK, using an interpreter during his time at Southampton, admitting that he couldn’t speak a word of English during his first meeting with the Saints board, and while he acclimatised after a while, his first few months in England were still a success despite the language barrier.
Allegri’s tactical acumen makes him one of the best managers available at the moment, and while Tottenham want an English-speaking boss, they shouldn’t settle for second-best due to something so easily fixed.
Football is a universal language, and Tottenham only need to look at Leeds and Pochettino to know that a non-English speaking manager can still be a success in this country.
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