Re: ITK Thread
all the options available, i'll be disappointed if we blow our load on Poch straight away
It seems to be the best fit for the club, though. I'm sure F De Boer looks a sexier appointment, I'm sure Rafa has won more, I'm sure you could make a case for anyone.
Pochettino ticks most of the boxes for Levy, the club, how we operate and our ideology:
*Experienced international defender with a tonne of caps for one of the world's biggest international teams
*Reputational wise, known as someone with presence in the dressing room, that commands respect of players
*Track record of being able to get his ideas across to a variety of different of different players and in two of Europe's biggest leagues.
*Experience playing in a variety of different clubs and leagues
*Management wise, has worked under a director of football and prefers coaching to signing
*Likes to integrate young, local talent into the squad
*Proven record of developing and improving younger players at both Espanyol and Spurs
*Protege of Bielsa with a growing continental reputiation for management
*Plays fast, attacking football and his preferred 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation perfect for the squad we have built at Spurs
*Combines this with a solid defensive unit, befitting someone who was a tough tackling defender in his playing days
*Organised and dedicated coach and trainer
*Restrained and professional off the pitch, in media interviews and in dealing with the board and others at the clubs he works for.
I'd say Levy has looked at it and read up on him, as I have and...
*He's the candidate for coach least likely to rip up the squad we have and ask for a load of new signings
*He's the candidate for coach along with De Boer, most likely to make use of the academy and young talents coming through
*He's the candidate for coach most likely to keep his counsel and act professionally and least likely to spout off a load of nonsense in the media at every opportunity
*He's the candidate most likely to unite the dressing room and command respect with all of the players at all levels within the club
*He's the candidate most likely to accept the transfer committee's plans for squad strengthening without throwing a hissy fit
*He's the candidate most lielly to play the style of football that Spurs fans and Premiership fans love to see
I think it was neck and neck between him and De Boer until De Boer started whoring in the media at every opportunity and getting his brother and mates in the game and media to join in, clearly in an attempt to put pressure on Levy to do the deal. I think Levy looked at that and thought, right, if there's a disagreement in say, a signing in the transfer committee, I could wake up one morning to a load of headlines in the press because Ronald De Boer has given an interview saying how his bro has been given the players he doesn't want and this that and the other, all designed to put pressure on the club to get his own way.
It will be a worry for Levy that De Boer acted the way he did during this process and it clearly caused a massive and embarrassing episode with Sherwood, who then used the media to make Levy and teh club look like a bunch of mugs.
It seems harsh on De Boer, but if you have to choose between 2 people and they are pretty much neck and neck, Pochettino's complete and total professionalism during this whole episode must have swung things MASSIVELY in his favour and that's how it is now looking.
