JerusalemMan
Les Ferdinand
I don't believe there's a thread about this man, but it seems that his role and responsibilities merit some space for specific chat over the coming months.
He came in from Emirates Marketing Project/The City Group having had experience working for Lawn Tennis Association and England Rugby so he brings a breadth of knowledge and experience within and without the football world.
De Zerbi's recent comment about only playing Savio and Udogie for 60 minutes will be directly linked to the controls being put in place by Lewindon.
Ali Gold had this to say just now (Link) :
"Lewindon arrived the day before Thomas Frank was sacked and found a club needing guidance and stability in various areas.
Tottenham's medical and performance departments had undergone huge turmoil. After a long period of stability under head of medicine and sports science Geoff Scott, the New Zealander left in 2024 following more than two decades of service. Then director of performance services Adam Brett and head of sports science Nick Davies both left Tottenham after only a year in charge of their departments. Nick Stubbings joined Spurs in the summer of 2025 as medical lead of the men's team after 11 years at Brentford, following Frank and various other former Bees across the capital to north London.
It is Lewindon though who is leading the changes with a background in performance, science and medicine across the top levels of football, tennis and rugby.
De Zerbi is believed to have already struck up a strong relationship with the performance director, the pair regularly chatting about the club's performance and medical departments and what must be done to bring them in line with the world's top clubs.
This summer has seen the club's first team gym overhauled and updated along with various changes to practices.
An initial investigation from independent testers into whether the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium's pitch was to blame for the number of long-term injuries failed to find any variation to the bound and spring of other's grounds. A deeper, more detailed analysis was also to be undertaken.
Lewindon has brought in more focus on individuals. With injuries and recovery, he has utilised a pod-based model where four to six players have an integrated approach around them with a physio and sports scientist concentrating on that small group rather than having a wider remit. Like teachers with fewer students to focus on, staff will better understand the players' needs as individuals and their positions on the pitch which should lead to better shared decision-making about training and physical preparation.
Spurs needed to improve the trust the players have with their medical department, some choosing to put their faith in staff from previous clubs or their international set-up.
Lewindon's changes have been far-reaching and will bear fruit over the months and years to come.
For now there will be more caution after the re-injuries of previous campaigns. Mohammed Kudus has been managed carefully after his setback in April during De Zerbi's first week while nobody is rushing Dejan Kulusevski into action after 17 months out of competitive football. It will mean more players rested from the starting line-up with 'muscle fatigue' and frustration among the fans at line-ups as the same old faces are not run into the ground every single week regardless of any knocks or niggles. In time the balance will be struck and the line found between cautious and risk.
Despite its frustrations at times, De Zerbi understands. The 47-year-old impressed many in the medical department towards the end of last season with clarity and consistency in his approach, despite the pressure he was under to get results amid the relegation battle. He did not want to take unnecessary risks with players.
Those who have been in rooms with the Italian say he is keen for as much feedback as possible to make the right decisions over when to bring players back into the fold and looks to prioritise the individual over the need for victory."
I liked the sound of the bold bit above as it seems like common sense, but it is understandable how in a high-pressure sporting environment a manager will push to get his best players in the team asap. If we've got a strong figure who can stand up against this short-term action for the long-term good, while maintaining a positive relationship with De Zerbi, that just seems like a big step forward as we seek to become a better club and team
He came in from Emirates Marketing Project/The City Group having had experience working for Lawn Tennis Association and England Rugby so he brings a breadth of knowledge and experience within and without the football world.
De Zerbi's recent comment about only playing Savio and Udogie for 60 minutes will be directly linked to the controls being put in place by Lewindon.
Ali Gold had this to say just now (Link) :
"Lewindon arrived the day before Thomas Frank was sacked and found a club needing guidance and stability in various areas.
Tottenham's medical and performance departments had undergone huge turmoil. After a long period of stability under head of medicine and sports science Geoff Scott, the New Zealander left in 2024 following more than two decades of service. Then director of performance services Adam Brett and head of sports science Nick Davies both left Tottenham after only a year in charge of their departments. Nick Stubbings joined Spurs in the summer of 2025 as medical lead of the men's team after 11 years at Brentford, following Frank and various other former Bees across the capital to north London.
It is Lewindon though who is leading the changes with a background in performance, science and medicine across the top levels of football, tennis and rugby.
De Zerbi is believed to have already struck up a strong relationship with the performance director, the pair regularly chatting about the club's performance and medical departments and what must be done to bring them in line with the world's top clubs.
This summer has seen the club's first team gym overhauled and updated along with various changes to practices.
An initial investigation from independent testers into whether the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium's pitch was to blame for the number of long-term injuries failed to find any variation to the bound and spring of other's grounds. A deeper, more detailed analysis was also to be undertaken.
Lewindon has brought in more focus on individuals. With injuries and recovery, he has utilised a pod-based model where four to six players have an integrated approach around them with a physio and sports scientist concentrating on that small group rather than having a wider remit. Like teachers with fewer students to focus on, staff will better understand the players' needs as individuals and their positions on the pitch which should lead to better shared decision-making about training and physical preparation.
Spurs needed to improve the trust the players have with their medical department, some choosing to put their faith in staff from previous clubs or their international set-up.
Lewindon's changes have been far-reaching and will bear fruit over the months and years to come.
For now there will be more caution after the re-injuries of previous campaigns. Mohammed Kudus has been managed carefully after his setback in April during De Zerbi's first week while nobody is rushing Dejan Kulusevski into action after 17 months out of competitive football. It will mean more players rested from the starting line-up with 'muscle fatigue' and frustration among the fans at line-ups as the same old faces are not run into the ground every single week regardless of any knocks or niggles. In time the balance will be struck and the line found between cautious and risk.
Despite its frustrations at times, De Zerbi understands. The 47-year-old impressed many in the medical department towards the end of last season with clarity and consistency in his approach, despite the pressure he was under to get results amid the relegation battle. He did not want to take unnecessary risks with players.
Those who have been in rooms with the Italian say he is keen for as much feedback as possible to make the right decisions over when to bring players back into the fold and looks to prioritise the individual over the need for victory."
I liked the sound of the bold bit above as it seems like common sense, but it is understandable how in a high-pressure sporting environment a manager will push to get his best players in the team asap. If we've got a strong figure who can stand up against this short-term action for the long-term good, while maintaining a positive relationship with De Zerbi, that just seems like a big step forward as we seek to become a better club and team
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