Totally agree. Prefer to get it done early but Levy's arse is on the line! My gut feeling is Poch is Levy's "if all else fails" option if a big name can't be signed. As you say Benitez seems to have ruled himself out, De Boer has also now seemingly stated he's happy to stay at Real and I'm not so sure Real Madrid are 100% committed to Carlo - losing the title and especially the CL which has eluded them for too long in their eyes will not go down well at the Bernabeau. There's now also talk that Roberto Mancini could be in the frame and had reportedly contacted Tottenham back in the spring to enquire about the job after AVB was sacked. The Italian connection also makes a lot of sense. Not sure what my feelings are on this one. Sure Mancini would bring discipline back to our game. It would undoubtedly be a frustrating first season as he would ensure we are water tight and tough to beat but if given the next season, I think we'd see us develop into a well oiled machine that gets results when needed. Whether Levy could stick with that is another question. Mancini's personality may also scare Levy as he commands too much power and influence. So... watch this space is all i can say. Could be an interesting week or two.
Mancini - hmmm not so sure. Yes he won the league with city, but they spent SO much money. He wouldn't have that luxury at Spurs and i'm doubtful he has the ability to do what we need. When AVB was appointed it was a toss-up for me between him and Martinez. In hindsight we picked badly. Martinez is probably not an option now but i'd love to see him come in.
Man U and barca have shown the correct timing in signing a new manager. Any further delay from Levy will cost us dearly. The new manager needs time to assemble a squad/ clear out the deadwood. This week please mr Levy, don't **** up this time.
Man U, Barca and Spurs....I think we are naturally going to be the odd ones out..when having a luxury of choices. Moyes getting the sack has cost us...only Spurs are capable of such issues even when they have nothing to do with the situation. Im going to stick my neck out and say I hope we get Pulis...we need some serious organisation of the playing staff and if he can do it at Palace he is more than capable of doing it at Spurs..If our precious bunch are willing to roll their sleeves up for the cause or not, is a different matter.
I could live with Pulis but I think he might be the next England manager. We should try a get Rudi Garcia
I think with foreign coaches..i only hold hope if they are seasoned managers of the Ancelotti mould...These up and comers with a few seasons of solidity and good results still fills me with dread...you could be right but I think there is something about the EPL that takes these individuals by storm. That along with our trigger happy chairman holds no hope for me.
for me a top player is one who possesses everything a not so top player possesses plus a heap more. Harry Redknapp had not really managed a bunch of top players before his chance at Spurs but he did pretty well. For me Pulis seems to be from the same school as HR....but seems to posess a lot of steel too. I don't think we can think like that. AVB had managed many top players but that did not seem to help it seems.
Interesting shout on Pulis. Not sure if I'd want him or not, done great with Stoke and Palace but that's been built on solid defensive foundations, they've usually played not to lose rather than to go out and win. I think with Spurs he'd need to find a balance of being solid defensively while also "dominating" the attacking side of things too, which I've not seen too much from a Pulis side.
I don't know..but im struggling to recall a match when Spurs have had nothing to play for,3 goals down against champions elect, 10 minutes to go...and they rip the opposition a new one. Id say theres nothing defensive about that and a lot of Mr Pulis about it.
Redknapp is a good comparison as looking back I don't remember anyone screaming out for Redknapp to become our manager, it was more once it became aware Redknapp was being looked at it started to make more sense as once you ignored the fact he looked like a used cars salesman (and talked like one) his approach, personality and general management style where exactly what the club needed and we was rewarded with two top four finishes and a exciting run in the champions league. Now we're in a similar situation where its all about finding the manager with the right approach, its not about whos managed big names or whos been there done it, its about who has the ability to walk in and offer what this club needs as we seem to be missing a trick, trying to believe we need a certain name or someone who can offer "style". For us to play good football we need a manager who can organise the team, pick the right formation, set the team up to be balanced and let the players play without fear. Is that man Pullis? well I would be more confident with him in charge then someone like AVB or Rafa Bentinez.
I think that's probably right. It's for this reason that I would be extremely surprised to see us go for people like Martinez or Poch. I think those two are excellent managers, but Levy would still be taking a gamble with either that he wouldn't be taking with the likes of Benitez, De Boer or Ancelotti. I still think we'll end up with a Martinez or a Poch, simply because I doubt that Levy will be prepared to spend the cash that it will take to get any of the other three in. A more experienced manager is going to demand at least 3 to 5 years, with massive compensation if Levy does what he does best and sacks the poor bastard at the first sniff of a player-revolt.
Undoubtedly so. However, if you ask most Spurs players if they would rather us take a gamble with De Boer or with Pulis, I'd put a lot of money on people choosing the former. I think it comes down to the idea that people probably think they know that Pulis isn't capable of helping us get and maintain top 4, whereas De Boer (having worked with bigger clubs) could.
