Tottenham Hotspur announced that Andre Villas-Boas was to
take charge of the team, following Harry Redknapp's abrupt departure from the
club. With opinion divided - The question is how will Tottenham perform under
AVB.
Villas-Boas' first major job came in the shape of Porto in
the Portuguese Premeira Liga. It is well documented that in his first season in
charge, Porto went unbeaten the entire season - winning the title by 20 clear
points. Also claiming the UEFA Europa League (becoming the youngest manager to
win a European Trophy) and the Portuguese Super Cup - he completed a treble in
his first season at the helm - which lead to Chelsea paying £13 million for his
services.
Chelsea had seemingly secured another Mourinho, with the
future looking bright for the young Portuguese manager.
Despite starting off relatively well, things quickly turned
sour for Boas, with rumours of dressing room unrest filtering through various
media outlets.
The likes of Lampard, Cole, Drogba, started playing less and
less - forming rumours that AVB was trying to force the more senior players out
of the squad. Reports claimed that the senior players had begun to question his
methods - even questioning his tactics in front of Roman Abramovich.
The Russian chairman - himself a difficult man to please -
even went as far as asking why several players were left out during an
important Champions League tie with Napoli - which Chelsea lost.
The fans even started losing faith, beginning to question
everything from subs to formations. Chelsea lost several important games - and
after being 3 points of 4th, and seemingly going out of The Champions League
Villas-Boas was given his marching orders.
Reports after he was sacked suggested that AVB was trying to
much to soon by cutting vital members of the squad. Other reports suggested
that the players simply did not like him: finding him unapproachable - and also
disliking his methods.
But having being
brought into usher in a new era at Chelsea, you could be forgiven for thinking
AVB was unlucky. Something had prompted Chelsea to relentlessly pursue him
whilst at Chelsea - and something must be convincing Tottenham Hotspur.
Since the departure of Harry Redknapp, there have been
several names linked with the Tottenham Hotspur manager vacancy.
The likes of Laurent Blanc, Rafa Benitez, David Moyes,
Roberto Martinez, Jurgen Klinsmann, all linked with the position alongside AVB.
The fact that Tottenham were looking for a manager in the first place was a
shock to some, but it quickly became clear that Spurs were looking down the
'younger' route.
Despite Boas' Chelsea experience it has recently become known
that Spurs had wanted the Portuguese man all along. Opinion has quickly
divided, with many questioning whether AVB is the way to go for Tottenham.
Having finished 4th twice and 5th once, Harry Redknapp had
done the unthinkable, and made Spurs competitive again - perhaps at the expense
of a Chelsea led by AVB until March.
But for all of the rumours and his experience at Chelsea,
Andre Villas-Boas has everything it needs to become a top TOP manager. A man
spotted by Sir Bobby Robson (RIP), and viewed as indispensable by Mourinho
cannot surely be so bad, can he?
He is renowned for his perfectionist attitude - watching
every little detail (not forgotten from his scouting days) he meticulously
plans everything - getting every detail of opponents. He likes to play
exciting, attacking football - but does like to be careful occasionally when
winning games - Chelsea perhaps sitting back a little in several games whilst
winning.
At Chelsea, for all of the rumours, the truth is there were
several factors that went into his dismissal. The fact that he had to be under
Roman Abramovich is a factor in its self. The Chairman is not afraid to speak
his mind and give his opinion (something even Mourinho had to deal with). Lets
us not forget that this is the man that has sacked the likes of Mourinho and
Ancelotti (despite both being highly successful).
Chelsea are also one of England's biggest teams, and having
only being used to success he was relatively inexperienced when it came to
grinding out results. The Premier League is a different style to the Portuguese
League and takes time for both players and managers to adapt too.
The British media also came into play - famously fierce and
relentless in the pursuit of tabloid headlines - many managers have found it
difficult to adjust to it. AVB appearing strained several times in press
conferences and interviews. With such interest in English football it can be a
culture shock to some - whether AVB can handle it is another matter.
Player power may have indeed been a factor too - but to be
fair at every club players dislike not playing. With several egos in the
dressing room too, you could argue that the players didn't try all that hard
(look at what the same players did in The Champions League).
AVB may have indeed tried to much to soon. but as a
prerequisite of the job was to try and blood youngsters into the team, you
could argue he was only doing what he thought was right - perhaps he could of
dealt with it better, gradually phasing the likes of Lampard out over time. AVB
during his first stint at Chelsea under Mourinho was the scout, and it may just
simply have been that the players just did not respect him enough.
Whatever the reason, Andre Villa-Boas is a highly intelligent
manager still working his way through the beginnings of his career. He has
experienced the highs and the lows, and it is now what he does that he will
determine his and Tottenham Hotspur's future.
At Tottenham it can be argued that he has everything he needs
already in place. A highly ambitious and supremely talented squad - littered
with young players all still to reach their peak (as is the new manager). In
Daniel Levy he has a strong Chairman, a shrewd negotiator, he does have his own
plans for Spurs - but with Levy you can at least guarantee that AVB will get
longer than a few months (unless he does a Ramos) - and will dip into the
market when needed.
It is a gamble for Spurs, that is a fact - but given time
Andre Villas-Boas has everything need to be a success. At 35 years old he is
just on the beginning of a long and hopefully successful career. For all of the
doubters there are also alot of people congratulating Tottenham on a good
appointment - despite Chelsea he was still wanted by the likes of Liverpool and
Inter Milan, so his reputation cannot be that tarnished. With a team to match
his ambitions he could be a match made in heaven - but one things is for sure
he should not be judged so early.
Time will tell, but Reid Review thinks this might actually
turn out good for both club and manager.
By
Stephen Reid
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