In their nearly-a-century-and-a-half-old history, Tottenham Hotspur have been graced by many a manager. Naturally, some of them have left an imprint so large it has gone on to define the very identity of the club as a footballing institution.
In this article, we take a look at a handful of them, presenting our picks for the 5 greatest managers of Tottenham in their history.
Martin Jol
The veteran Dutchman played a key role is establishing Spurs’ image as an exciting football-playing side in the modern Premier League era. By the time he left in 2007, Spurs had become Champions League hopefuls, a platform upon which they would thoroughly build upon in the coming decade and a half.
Jol’s Spurs record reads thus: 147 matches, 67 wins, 43 losses, 37 defeats.
Mauricio Pochettino
Speaking of building upon platforms, it is safe to say Mauricio Pochettino played his part in making Spurs one of the biggest clubs in England.
The lack of silverware cannot swat away the fact that the Argentine is indisputably one of the club’s greatest managers given the way he got them challenging for titles in an age of multiple contenders. When he arrived, Spurs were an exciting top-half side looking to make the Champions League push. By the time he left, Spurs were Champions League regulars, having made the final of the whole thing only months before his departure. One could say that the manner in which he left was anti-climactic and even disrespectful given all that he contributed to the club, but that’s just how high he had raised the bar for Spurs, and no one has managed to better him since.
Arthur Rowe
A one-club man in his playing days, having only represented Tottenham, Arthur Rowe also played a key role in establishing the side as one of the leaders of English football in the immediate post-World War 2 scene as a manager.
Under Rowe, Spurs earned the particular accolade of being one of the few teams to win the topflight in their first season after promotion. Picking them up in the second tier in 1949, Rowe helped Spurs win promotion to the top flight in 1950 as champions before making them champions again the year after, also winning the FA Charity Shield.
Keith Burkinshaw
Keith Burkinshaw led the Tottenham side of the early ’80s that were among the silverware, of which he delivered four, most notably the 1984 UEFA Cup. Spurs won 148 of the 358 games he oversaw.
Burkinshaw’s coaching career spanned over four decades, beginning in 1964 and running until 2007 as he wrapped things up with an assistant gig at Watford.
Bill Nicholson
No such list can be completed without recognising the legacy of Bill Nicholson. The Englishman only ever managed one club in his 16-year managerial career. He returned to Spurs as their manager in 1958, three years after ending his playing career with them. He went on to oversee what is still considered Tottenham’s golden age, in which he racked up 12 titles.
Nicholson won 361 of his 755 games at Spurs, and remains to this day arguably their greatest-ever manager.
What do you think of our picks? Would you put someone else above any of these Spurs managers? Let us know in the comments.
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