Spurs’ latest manager sacking means that there have now been 36 managers since Tottenham last won the league. Antonio Conte’s Spurs side showed exciting signs of promise when he took over in November 2021 from Nuno Espirito Santo. However, recently things turned sour and it seemed inevitable that Conte and Spurs would part ways. With ten league games remaining, Conte’s assistant Cristian Stellini has taken the reins in N17 and will be conducting his side’s push for a top-four spot.
Regardless, the search for yet another permanent manager continues. Do Spurs once again go for the tried and tested winner route again (e.g. Mourinho and Conte), or will they attempt a rebuild with a fresh manager? Here’s my evaluation.
Mauricio Pochettino:
Pochettino was in charge at Tottenham between 2014 and 2019 and delivered Spurs fans the most exciting team they’ve seen this century. With his brave, attacking philosophy, the football was rarely dull and he led the team to the Champions League Final in 2019.
Pros:
1. He would bring back fast, attacking and exciting football
2. He maintains a close relationship with Harry Kane, which could lead him to stay
3. Spurs fans love him. He created an incredible atmosphere within the club
Cons:
1. Although Spurs would like exciting football, they need trophies. Pochettino failed to win one during his five years at the club.
2. Managerial homecomings are never as sweet as the first time. There is the odd exception, but usually, one stint is enough. Think Keegan, Dalglish, Mourinho.
Julian Nagelsmann:
Recently sacked by Bayern Munich, one of the most exciting young managers in the world is now without a club. Nagelsmann, now just 35 years old, took Hoffenheim from relegation battles to the Champions League. He then led RB Leipzig to the Champions League Semi-Finals. Subsequently, the young German was appointed by Bayern Munich for his most prominent job yet. He boasted a 71% win rate, the fourth-highest in Bayern’s history, and won the league in his only full season at the club. Despite some poor performances post-World Cup, he was sacked in contentious circumstances. Nagelsmann will no doubt be a success elsewhere.
Pros:
1. Nagelsmann is young and has the potential to build a long-lasting and fruitful project with Tottenham
2. He employs a playing style akin to that of Pochettino during his spell at Tottenham. Possession-based, high-tempo, attacking football.
Cons:
1. One of Bayern’s grievances about Nagelsmann was that he was more of an older brother figure than the father figure that some of the players needed. Spurs’ squad certainly consists of players who right now need serious leadership.
2. Nagelsmann has no Premier League experience, having only managed in the Bundesliga.
Ryan Mason:
Ryan Mason knows exactly what it means to play for Tottenham. After all, he was born in the area and represented his hometown team for 17 years, from youth level to the Premier League. He became the youngest manager in Premier League history when Mourinho was sacked and he has been Tottenham’s first-team coach for almost two years.
Pros:
1. Similar to Nagelsmann, Mason is very young and has the potential to build a long-lasting project with Tottenham
2. He understands the fanbase, the players and the club. It would be a seamless transition for him.
Cons:
1. Mason has no managerial experience, apart from his seven games with Spurs when he stepped up to be the caretaker manager. In this time of turmoil for Tottenham, a manager with experience and footballing wisdom may be more effective.
Cristian Stellini:
Cristian Stellini was Conte’s assistant and is now the man in charge of driving Tottenham’s top-four hopes for the remainder of the season. Due to his inexperience, it is worth analysing the next ten games before coming to any decisions about Stellini.
Pros:
1. He has learnt from a great manager in Antonio Conte, having assisted him at Juventus, Inter Milan, and Tottenham. He may be able to take the best parts of Conte’s management style, without creating giant rifts in the squad.
Cons:
1. Apart from Serie C outfit Alessandria, Stellini has never been a first-team manager.
2. It may be helpful for Spurs to entirely separate themselves from the Conte era. Keeping Stellini may make it difficult to detach themselves from the previous regime.
Luis Enrique:
The 2015 UEFA Coach of the Year, Luis Enrique is no joke. Although Richarlison, Heung-min Son and Harry Kane are not Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, Luis Enrique managed a 76% win rate over three years at Barcelona, an incredible figure. He also won two La Liga’s and the Champions League. Enrique has mentioned that he would be open to a move to the Premier League, and Tottenham is certainly an interesting prospect.
Pros:
1. He has a wealth of experience and would be able to guide Tottenham’s players through this difficult time
2. He plays an exciting counter-attacking style of football, which would suit Spurs’ fast wingers and exciting full-backs
Cons:
1. Enrique has had clashes with big figures at both Barcelona and the Spanish national team. The last thing Spurs need right now is further internal conflict.
2. Enrique has never lasted more than three years in one job. Only one of Tottenham’s last six managers has laster more than two, and it damages the side. Spurs need a manager to rebuild the side and be the core of the club for a long time. Is Enrique the man for that?
Writer’s opinion: Julian Nagelsmann
To me, Nagelsmann seems the obvious choice. He’s young but already has a host of different experiences in the footballing world. He creates an attractive style of football, is well-versed in the modern game and would be open to a move to the Premier League. His potential arrival would see him, Guardiola, Arteta, Klopp, Ten Hag and Potter battling it out in the Premier League for what would make for incredibly exciting, tactical affairs. He could create a project at Tottenham which is long-lasting and reunites the fanbase. Daniel Levy, it’s simple. Appoint Nagelsmann.
