Tottenham’s big gamble and why Sunderland are a stark reminder of what could await them
Tottenham’s big gamble and why Sunderland are a stark reminder of what could await them To dare is to do. Walk along Tottenham High Road and those five words are impossible to ignore. But less than a year on from Europa League glory, on the pitch Tottenham have done far too little of that.
It begs the question, what exactly have Spurs been doing since Son Heung-min lifted that trophy in Bilbao last May? From a pure footballing perspective, the answer is, in short, not a whole lot. Off the pitch though, perhaps too much.
Ange Postecoglou was controversially dismissed only 16 days on from the Europa League triumph, with the club citing Tottenham’s woeful league campaign – in which they finished one place above the relegation zone – as the primary reason for his departure. “It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest change for the coming season and beyond,” a club statement read following the Australian’s dismissal. Ten months on from this decision, Tottenham are out of the Champions League, failed to mount a run in either domestic cup, and sit in the relegation zone.
The appointment of Thomas Frank, a tried and tested Premier League manager, was expected to bring some much needed stability to a ship that had been fighting to stay above water in the league last season. The Dane departed the club in February with Spurs 16th in the Premier League table and five points above the relegation zone. His interim replacement, Igor Tudor – who has built a reputation for lifting clubs out of relegation trouble – lasted just 44 days at the helm, having failed to win a league game.
With the decision to appoint Frank and then Tudor, Tottenham attempted to play it safe. There was nothing daring about it. That cannot be said for the recent arrival of Roberto De Zerbi at Hotspur Way .
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