- Jul 22, 2008
- 43,881
- 95,149
With Madrid pursuing Bale's signature with all the subtlety of a drunk Brian Blessed wielding a chainsaw, it's perhaps easy to overlook the other highly coveted asset at our club - AVB.
After reports appeared a few weeks ago claiming that the next new-money giants in Europe, PSG and Monaco, were both apparently interested in bringing in the bearded one to spearhead their respective projects as billionaire playthings (with some reports suggesting that PSG were willing to meet AVB's £10m buyout clause) it raises some interesting questions, such as:
When was the last time we had such a desirable manager, and how might this affect Levy's transfer strategy?
One answer could be Harry. After the events of last February, with Capello walking out of the England job just as Redknapp endeared himself to the general public with a court case revealing such virtues as an inability to write, use modern technology, or keep track of his own finances ("aw but he loved his dog Rosie, he did"), there was a media-driven campaign to bring Harry in. However back then it was mid-season, and involving a manager that, if reports are to be believed, was not exactly seeing eye to eye with Daniel Levy.
The speculation derailed our season, and as if to add insult to injury, Harry was passed over for the job anyway. Levy (and/or possibly the shadowy figure that is Joe Lewis) made the decision to sack Harry and bring in supposedly damaged goods in the shape of AVB.
The important part here is that this was the board's decision. Harry joined the likes of Ramos, Jol, Hoddle, and Graham in getting the boot out of The Lane, and into the High Road.
Fast forward to this summer, where Levy suddenly found himself in unfamiliar territory. For the first in Levy's tenure at the club he found himself working with a coach that was reportedly attracting serious interest from multiple clubs around Europe (including Madrid) - clubs with more money, and (with the exception of Monaco), the promise of Champions League football. One thing in Levy's favour was the faith he had shown in believing in the AVB project, despite the (admittedly steady stream of) negativity pumping out of Stamford Bridge. No doubt AVB himself wanted to protect his mending reputation by repaying the risk taken by Levy - but staying would come at a price...
If Levy wanted to prove that he believed in the AVB project he was going to have to back him. Not tentatively through opportunistic signings that in many cases AVB supposedly had little real say in, but instead through giving AVB the tools to take the club to another level.
So far this summer we've not only seen AVB's preferred Director of Football - Franco Baldini - brought in from Roma, but also quotes appearing saying that AVB had been "assured" that our jewel in our crown, Gareth 'Superman' Bale, was going nowhere. Furthermore it's been all but confirmed that following an impressive Confederations Cup tournament, Paulinho, the midfield general of the Brazilian national side, will be joining Spurs in what will be close to (or possibly surpassing), our record transfer fee.
It doesn't stop there. One of the glitterati of world football - David Villa - is believed to be close to signing for us following a fruitful phone conversation with AVB, while other targets continue to be pursued with a greater sense of optimism.
Of course AVB knows there are certain realities attached to a club like Spurs. It's unlikely that we'll be able to retain a player like Bale in the long-term, and we lack the financial clout to bring in the Cavani's of this world, however for the first time in recent history we have a manager being circled by some of the biggest and/or richest teams in football.
How do you keep Mr Popular? You take him seriously, you trust his judgement, and you back him as much as you possibly can. To dare, as they say, is to do...
After reports appeared a few weeks ago claiming that the next new-money giants in Europe, PSG and Monaco, were both apparently interested in bringing in the bearded one to spearhead their respective projects as billionaire playthings (with some reports suggesting that PSG were willing to meet AVB's £10m buyout clause) it raises some interesting questions, such as:
When was the last time we had such a desirable manager, and how might this affect Levy's transfer strategy?
One answer could be Harry. After the events of last February, with Capello walking out of the England job just as Redknapp endeared himself to the general public with a court case revealing such virtues as an inability to write, use modern technology, or keep track of his own finances ("aw but he loved his dog Rosie, he did"), there was a media-driven campaign to bring Harry in. However back then it was mid-season, and involving a manager that, if reports are to be believed, was not exactly seeing eye to eye with Daniel Levy.
The speculation derailed our season, and as if to add insult to injury, Harry was passed over for the job anyway. Levy (and/or possibly the shadowy figure that is Joe Lewis) made the decision to sack Harry and bring in supposedly damaged goods in the shape of AVB.
The important part here is that this was the board's decision. Harry joined the likes of Ramos, Jol, Hoddle, and Graham in getting the boot out of The Lane, and into the High Road.
Fast forward to this summer, where Levy suddenly found himself in unfamiliar territory. For the first in Levy's tenure at the club he found himself working with a coach that was reportedly attracting serious interest from multiple clubs around Europe (including Madrid) - clubs with more money, and (with the exception of Monaco), the promise of Champions League football. One thing in Levy's favour was the faith he had shown in believing in the AVB project, despite the (admittedly steady stream of) negativity pumping out of Stamford Bridge. No doubt AVB himself wanted to protect his mending reputation by repaying the risk taken by Levy - but staying would come at a price...
If Levy wanted to prove that he believed in the AVB project he was going to have to back him. Not tentatively through opportunistic signings that in many cases AVB supposedly had little real say in, but instead through giving AVB the tools to take the club to another level.
So far this summer we've not only seen AVB's preferred Director of Football - Franco Baldini - brought in from Roma, but also quotes appearing saying that AVB had been "assured" that our jewel in our crown, Gareth 'Superman' Bale, was going nowhere. Furthermore it's been all but confirmed that following an impressive Confederations Cup tournament, Paulinho, the midfield general of the Brazilian national side, will be joining Spurs in what will be close to (or possibly surpassing), our record transfer fee.
It doesn't stop there. One of the glitterati of world football - David Villa - is believed to be close to signing for us following a fruitful phone conversation with AVB, while other targets continue to be pursued with a greater sense of optimism.
Of course AVB knows there are certain realities attached to a club like Spurs. It's unlikely that we'll be able to retain a player like Bale in the long-term, and we lack the financial clout to bring in the Cavani's of this world, however for the first time in recent history we have a manager being circled by some of the biggest and/or richest teams in football.
How do you keep Mr Popular? You take him seriously, you trust his judgement, and you back him as much as you possibly can. To dare, as they say, is to do...