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Report suggests ridiculed former Tottenham manager Christian Gross is Schalke target

General view inside the stadium prior to the Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Eintracht Frankfurt at Veltins-Arena on April 06, 2019 in G...
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Much like any other club, Tottenham Hotspur have a somewhat mixed history when it comes to managers.

The likes of Harry Redknapp and Mauricio Pochettino were modern day successes, but Juande Ramos and Jacques Santini were notable failures.

Going back further, fans may be remember the somewhat short-lived stint of Christian Gross, who lasted less than a year in charge of Spurs following a 1997 move from Grasshopper.

Gross was treated as something of a joke in North London, especially after famously showing off a London Underground ticket whilst stating ‘I want this to become a ticket to the dreams’.

The Swiss boss took charge of just 30 Tottenham games, winning only 10 before being sacked in September 1998, lasting less than 10 months in the job.

He rebuild his reputation in a 10-year spell as Basel boss, but left Europe after stints with Stuttgart and Young Boys, instead becoming a big name in Egypt.

Gross won more than 64% of his games in two separate stints in charge of Al-Ahli, then won 59% of his matches with Zamalek, all before returning to Al-Ahli for a third time and winning 10 out of 16.

Al-Ahli's coach Christian Gross gestures during an Asian Champions League football match between Iran's Zob Ahan club and Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli club at Al-Gharafa Stadium in Doha on May 8, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / STRINGER        (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images

In truth, Gross has fared well since leaving Tottenham, and it looks like the once-ridiculed manager is now set for a return to European management – almost nine years since leaving.

Kicker report that Gross is now the shock leading candidate to become the new Schalke boss, following their decision to part ways with Manuel Baum.

At 66, Gross may be poised for a huge job, and even more than 20 years on from his Spurs sacking, will look to prove that he is no joke.

22 Aug 1998:  Tottenham Hotspurs coach Christian Gross signals to players during the match against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Carling Premiership at White hart Lane in London, England. Sheffield Wednesday won 3-0.  Mandatory Credit: Laurence Griffiths/Allsport
22 Aug 1998: Tottenham Hotspurs coach Christian Gross signals to players during the match against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Carling Premiership at White hart Lane in London, England. Sheffield Wednesday won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Laurence Griffiths/Allsport