Where do Tottenham go from here?

Tottenham Hotspur at the moment, are a mess. Harry Kane looks likely to leave in the summer. The club have not won a trophy since 2013. They are still in the hunt for a manager since sacking Jose Mourinho. They sit 7th in the league. Things need to change.

Club reporter Alasdair Gold has said some words about Spurs’ situation. “The mistakes made [against Leeds] and the defensive instability in the team were what cost them, and they are problems that existed long before his reign and that of Mourinho.”

“On top of that the fitness of the players was once again questionable as they tried to chase the game late on. The number of games can no longer be used as an excuse with the time in between matches now.”

A view of the stadium from the South entrance

The real question is, where do Tottenham go from here? They will have the majority of the summer to clear deadwood out of the club, like Eric Dier, Serge Aurier and more. Also, to look for a manager, who will bring a project – for the long term. For Spurs to be successful, they must get the next manager appointment correct. According to many sources, that could be Brighton manager, Graham Potter.

On the manager situation at Spurs, Gold said: “Mason is in the infancy of his career as a manager and he will continue his education at the club next season, whether it is in his previous academy role or in the coaching set-up of the next head coach.

“Spurs need someone new to arrive this summer, grab hold of the club and give it a damn good shake.”

“Too many players have been sleepwalking through three different managerial reigns and the squad is in desperate need of an overhaul across the pitch.”

A view of the stadium from the North entrance.

There is also the concerning case of Gareth Bale and his future at Tottenham, even if he is just on loan. With Gold saying, “There is little doubt that Bale still has incredible ability and can make a difference in big moments, but his consistency will be dictated by his fitness and increasingly his age.”

Apparently, Spurs have first choice to re-loan Bale for next season, where they would again have to pay 40% of his massive wages.

It remains to be seen whether Bale has proved his worth to stay at Tottenham for another reason, regardless, his situation is just one of many issues surrounding Tottenham these days.

What are the Spurs players really like?

Working as a waitress for the Tottenham Hotspur players seemed like a dream job for life-long fan Jean Adams, however she discovered some things about the club that she would rather not have experienced.

“First of all, Harry Kane is even nicer than you expect him to be. He eats a lot too. Mainly protein and fish. Every single day. I’ve noticed that he’s very close with Dele Alli, they normally eat together at lunch. Dele’s laugh is so loud!”

“As the model professional that Harry Kane is, this wasn’t surprising. We half expected Harry to drink wine and be fed grapes, the only food worth of such royalty.”

The Spurs players haven’t seen fans all season.

However, when asked, “what are the Spurs players really like?” Jean gave a fascinating answer. She said, “Honestly, not what you’d expect. There seems to be cliques at Spurs. The England lads are all one group, the Welsh lads another and the French lads, who both call themselves ‘The Mafia’. “

“The thing is Sonny, [Heung-Min Son] seems to be loved by every group. Which is unsurprising, considering how he’s always laughing and happy all the time!”

The disconnects within friendships around the club, may also explain the disconnect on the pitch. Players not playing for the team, or just hoping that they play with their friends. For too long, 90% of these players have been coasting, which explains the lack of drive to win trophies.

If the club is to be successful and win some silverware, the squad must operate as one, not individual groups.

“I noticed too, Eric Dier and boss, well, ex-boss Jose Mourinho had a very close relationship. They would speak before and after training, mostly in Portuguese. I wish I knew what they were saying! It’s probably why he played him so often.”

Players sometimes visit fans after games for photos.

“One time I overheard a conversation they were having about training, Jose said, ‘Eric you will injure our own players! Stop tackling so much.”

In today’s era of professional football, all high-level players are subject to intense media training. This is probably a good reason why most footballers are labelled as “boring, or lacking enthusiasm.”

You would imagine if footballers were allowed to say exactly how they feel in post-match interviews or in press conferences – the media would have a very different look to it.

As Jean puts it, “what you see in the media, and what I see from day-to-day, is two totally different worlds.”

The current situation at Tottenham Hotspur – A fan’s perspective.

Two years on from their famous comeback in Amsterdam, Spurs fall to defeat away to Leeds, with a shocking display from most players.

Hotspur Hive spoke to Tyrese Millis, a fan of the club for 15 years, about the situation at Spurs in the current climate.

Tottenham vs Ludogorets in the Europa League

JP: After the news of the Super League debacle, and the lack of investment over the years, what are you feeling towards Levy and ENIC at the moment?

TM: “As Spurs are still the only club to apologise for their decision to join the Super League, I can now see the intentions of Daniel Levy treating this club only as a business. I feel more connection with fellow supporters and more disconnect from the club and it’s hierarchy.”

JP: What is your opinion of Mason as a manager? Should Spurs keep him or look for someone else? If so, who?

TM: “After Mourinho was sacked, I would have preferred Powell over Mason based on experience in coaching. At the end of the season, I would like a new official manager that has more control over how the team plays as well as having more influence in the signing of new players.”

JP: Does the squad need an overhaul this summer? Do you think Kane will leave?

TM: “I believe that Spurs most definitely need another overhaul in the summer. There are players since 2018 who have struggled to adapt to the changes in the league and have thus become stale in their playing ability as a result. As for Kane, I hope whatever decision he makes in future benefits him.”

Tottenham vs Arsenal in the Premier League

JP: Spurs haven’t won a trophy for almost 14 years now, do you think there are deeper, more structural reasons as to why this is?

TM: “Spurs came close to winning trophies numerous times during Pochettino’s managerial tenure, but due to lack of backing from the ownership this became a difficulty, especially since Daniel Levy’s focus was less on the teams playing and more towards the brand-new billion-pound stadium being built with NFL partnership and concerts.”

JP: Where do you see Spurs in five years?

TM: “If decisions in the hierarchy are not made, I can see Spurs progressively declining in the way that they are currently, which is in a sideways motion. Many Tottenham supporters are not coming to games for the off-the-pitch investments, they are there to see what is happening on the pitch.”

An exposé on Spurs’ ex-manager, José Mourinho.

In the middle of a crazy week where rumours of a new football Super League arose, Spurs also sacked manager Jose Mourinho, after just 17 months in the job.

Jonathan Veal, a reporter for Tottenham Hotspur, spoke about his experience of dealing with Mourinho day-to-day. After the announcement of his departure, there was much uncertainty around the real reason of the Portuguese’s sacking.

Veal’s understanding was that “Mourinho was sacked because of results and the way the previous four months had gone. The timing of it was suspicious, coming after the ESL announcement and before the cup final.”

“There may have been other contributing factors, such as money or the availability of possible replacements, but fundamentally it came down to their poor form and Daniel Levy not seeing the possibility of it improving.”

Harry Kane flourished under Mourinho.

The ex-Chelsea, United and now soon to be AS Roma manager, has always been a divisive character. Especially with the media.

Speaking to him on an almost daily basis, Veal said “Jose was great to cover, and it was a privilege to get such a close view of one of the biggest names in the game. Generally, I found him fine to deal with.”

“We had one or two disagreements and he called me out in a press conference, but you know what you are dealing with and he always answered my questions thoroughly and with respect.”

“I see it as a badge of honour, if Jose Mourinho went for you.” According to Veal, Mourinho was a totally different character around the club, compared to what we saw in the media – in a positive way.

Flashforward to today, interim manager Ryan Mason at the helm, Champions League hopes slipping away, Spurs must act quickly and smartly in the search for their next manager.

Mason has won two of his three games in charge of Spurs so far.

When speaking about the club, Veal said “There is no doubt the club is in a bit of disarray. They are manager-less, missing out on their targets and their squad is in serious need of an overhaul.”

“Their star player is getting itchy feet and they have five games left to try and salvage a Champions League or Europa League place for next season. Which will be vitally important from a financial point of view.”

For Spurs to move on successfully from the schismatic Jose Mourinho, they must next hire a manager who aligns with their core values as a club – and understands what it means to manage a club like Spurs.

Steve Perryman – A Spur Forever

Spurs through and through. An unbelievable 854 appearances. The most medals of anyone in a Tottenham shirt. Last week, Hotspur Hive had the pleasure of chatting with club legend Steve Perryman to learn more about his life; before, during and after Tottenham Hotspur.

When mentioning Perryman it is imperative to mention Bill Nicholson, and the impact Tottenham’s greatest ever manager had on Steve’s career.

On his first meeting with Bill Nic, he said, “[he] came round to my house; he was of course very respectful to my family. He had a purpose about his club and the love of his club shone through.”

In the two and a half years or so that they both shared at the club, Tottenham and Bill Nic taught Steve the most important values in life, on and off the football pitch. “I was never told to kick someone out of the game. 

“I was never told to go to the corner flag to time waste. Pat Jennings was never told to take his time and if someone says that’s not unprofessional, I’ll have an argument with him.”

Perryman lifting the UEFA Cup for Spurs.

All in all, Steve spent 19 wonderful years as a Tottenham player, and 18 months as assistant to Ossie Ardiles in the 90s.

Steve, whose autobiography ‘A Spur Forever’ is out now, told Hotspur Hive who he thought Spurs’ best ever player was. “Glenn Hoddle was a magnificent footballer. His range of passing, his ability to change his mind in a second and the cleverness of his passing. Also, his control, his ability not to panic when under pressure and the way he struck the ball.”

Steve had varying degrees of success in his time in management. From winning the J-League in 1999, to saving Watford from relegation in 1990, to coaching his boyhood club – it’s fair to say Steve has seen it all.

Perryman managing in Japan.

His management technique felt similar to that of Bill Nic, saying “the environment that you create at your club goes unnoticed. As soon as you realise the power and impact you can have on your players, that is the start of leadership.”

Some will say that it’s almost fate that Steve spent so long at Spurs. After nearly being sold to Coventry City by Bill Nic, days before his eventual resignation.

Alas, Steve was going nowhere. After becoming captain in 1975, he along with Hoddle, Villa and Ardiles – brought the glory days back to Tottenham, where they belong.