Can we kick on

comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 18 seconds ago
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 55 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 4 minutes ago
I just want this manager situation sorted. After all the noise coming out yesterday I thought we'd have some clarification by now, so that is disappointing.

Surely it's best to get the manager in place before all the player signings?
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Yes and no.

Most of our targets will be club led anyway. Players like Sane will likely be looked at as valuable additions by any incoming manager.

That said, most smart players will want assurances on who the manager will be before committing.

Plus to be honest, Ange is very, very persuasive. Whatever question marks we have over his ability to manage in the Premier League, you can't deny that for some reason he's very good at convincing players to join.

For the life of me, I cannot understand why his future wasn't at least privately sorted before both him and Levy went on holiday. How on earth can you enjoy any trip with that hanging over you? All it takes is one simple meeting. With the window opening early, it does feel like this delay on a decision is holding us back a little.
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Yes potential transfer targets won't even know who is managing. Unless they do and the decision has already been made behind closed doors i.e. Ange staying, cause as Mack says, if he were going we might have heard about it by now.

It's just not very helpful from the club anyway. After the strong rumours just make things clear one way or another. If you don't want Ange, sack him. Are we in a situation where we are looking for other managers but are keeping hold of him in case we can't bring a suitable replacement in? That would be daft.
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I wouldn't rule it out. One thing they'll be keen to avoid is the circus after Jose. We got rid of him, limped over the line in the league with Mason and then proceeded to flirt with every possible manager under the sun, went with Nuno, which didn't go well, and gave Conte a king's ransom to avoid any more embarrassment. They won't want another public Gattuso, Fonseca, Conte, Poch circus like last time. Keep Ange in until the very last minute. If we are to sack him, I expect an announcement the day after about who we're appointing.

One thing is for sure, I don't want Paratici anywhere near all this.

comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 16 seconds ago
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 32 minutes ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 4 minutes ago
I think the "transfer debt" thing is rather misleading.

Firstly i question its accuracy. If Levy knows anything its how to balance the books and for him to allow for the majority of debt to become payable at the same time would be very unlikley at best.

Secondly, if, as most other clubs, we are paying fees over time then does that not indicate debt due now is irrelevant to current spending which will be paid off over time. Its a constant rolling "overdraft"

If you look at Spurs accounts then there is an item under Liabilities called Trade Payables Due in less than 1 year and the same for "more than 1 year".

So at the end of June 24, we had about £185m due within a year, and about £191m due in more than a year. This is up from £152m and £158m the previous years, but it does show that more or less half of what we owe is typically due the next year and while that debt [transfer spending] is going up (£310m to £375m from 2023 to 24) it is probably misleading to imply this summer is any different from any other summer in terms of transfer debt becoming payable.

It does, for the doubters, show that our spending is continually rising and that while FFP headroom is one thing, based on amortisation of fees over time, actually raising the cash to make purchases is another reality that people need to keep in mind, and how sometimes how a deal is structured, with payments over time, can make or break a deal for a club. For example if Palace said you can have Eze for £65m all up front then that kills the deal which is much more likely to see payment over several years with a large chunk up front, for any buying club.
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This is what annoys most fans though Dev.

I've heard this whole "cash poor" line before. If we are cash poor then surely that's down to a lack of desire to inject owner funds into the club? It's a lack of ambition. Villa aren't cash poor, Newcastle aren't cash poor, Chelsea aren't cash poor. It's a question of intent. It's not an excuse and it's the main reason most fans want ENIC out. Obviously many of those clubs listed above are in a bit of a PSR muddle, particularly Villa with a 92% wage to revenue problem, but the owners aren't short of cash should the rules suddenly change.

That's why I'll never understand the cash argument. It's the only part that's a choice rather than a rule.
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Nah mate. Sorry but you are wrong.

As said, i think too much is being made of what we owe for transfers, its fairly standard practice for most large clubs to have £100m plus due in transfer debt each season.

You give the example of Villa and NUFC. NUFC spent almost nothing last summer because their finances do not allow it. About £60m spent and £80m sold, net + £20m. Spurs on the other hand £160m spent, net about £110m

Whose the ambitious one there?

Villa HAD to sell a striker this January to raise CASH and they replaced them with 2 loan deals. Without UCL, they will probably struggle to keep either of those players on their wages, and i suspect their transfer activity will be more focussed on OUTS than INS. They are on the financial brink in terms of FFP/PSR and have posted £165m losses over 23 and 24 seasons. As you point out their wage bill is unsustainable.

Spurs are not cash poor. Villas last figures show they had £7m cash in the bank, NUFC £15m. Spurs had +£90m.

The articles a few weeks back warning Spurs had to buy to sell were very misleading and the headline was spun to get all the anti-Levy fans frothing at the mouth, and did a lot of reading between the lines of Levy's statement after our last figures were announced.

It is probably true we need to sell but more likley because we will not waste resources by over stocking areas of the pitch

Without any owners assistance, Spurs have much much greater spending power than these 2 clubs.

The fact you cite Chelsea's model as some sort of example of good practice is laughable. They've effectively had to asset strip to keep the right side of the rules.
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I was listening to A View From The Lane a few weeks back and they had a guy on called Chris Weatherspoon, a football financial expert to talk through Spurs prospects from a financial point of view. It was a grim listen. Granted this was before our CL place was confirmed but it's still a bit of a worry going forward and why I'm almost certain Levy will favour selling Romero than handing him a fat new contract. I don't think things are as rosey as you would suggest. That's why the push this summer will be for loans and freebies (like Angel Gomes). I'll be amazed if we spend any more than a mid-table side.

https://sportsview.co.uk/2025/04/finance-expert-warns-tottenham-fans-to-expect-a-prudent-summer
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Well its a no brainer that a club earning £40-50m less in coming 17th and not 5th, and with the prospect of £0 European money instead of the probably £50m earned this year would be looking at limiting spending in the coming summer, for a upcoming season when a large squad is not required. Yes, it would have been grim reading because even if our finances are based on moderate projections those probably include european football and a top 8 finish which delivers 10s of millions more from the PL, so apart from being relegated 17th and no Europe would be the worst case financial situation we could find ourselves in and we'd have to cut our cloth accordingly.

The trophy & UCL changes all of that but it is a bit of a reminder that one cannot guarantee these monies every season so a bit of caution in how we invest is required if we are to avoid a real financial mess where we really will have to sell our best players or best youth to make ends meet.



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Given where we currently sit in a sporting sense - 17th in the league - Levy's natural cautiousness in the market will be further pronounced because we're not showing anywhere near the kind of form to suggest this is anything other than a one year stint in the CL. That's why I think the lions share of any big name players we do get in this summer will be straight loans without an obligation. He'll do a Rashford/Asensio style deal that won't be a financial burden beyond next year.

On the flip side of that Fridge is the mess Utd made of the ETH situation. Everyone thought he was gone, they interviewed other managers and then they kept ETH and gave him a new deal.

I would hope that if Spurs are thinking of sacking him then a few feelers are out there, and we know what manager options are and can interview etc asap...but without being so careless as Utd were in the way the totally undermined ETHs position before then keeping him.

Ange himself was appointed on 6 June 23 so it was quickly wrapped up, albeit that we didn't have a permanent manager to upset while we looked about, although we still would not have been able to approach managers who were still in employment until the season finished.

I expect a pretty clear statement either way this week on Ange, probably early this week and may be an appointment within a fortnight.

comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 39 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 45 minutes ago
I just want this manager situation sorted. After all the noise coming out yesterday I thought we'd have some clarification by now, so that is disappointing.

Surely it's best to get the manager in place before all the player signings?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I think that Ange has had some holiday. It wouldn't surprise me if he was back in UK this week to discuss his future.

Also think its right that the club let the emotion of the Europa win die down a bit and make a calm decisions.


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Surely the emotion has died down now? Didn't the Brighton result help bring fans back down to Earth? You know, that result may have just added to the indecision.

The time is right to be making things clear so we can start making proper moves this summer.

comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 22 minutes ago
On the flip side of that Fridge is the mess Utd made of the ETH situation. Everyone thought he was gone, they interviewed other managers and then they kept ETH and gave him a new deal.

I would hope that if Spurs are thinking of sacking him then a few feelers are out there, and we know what manager options are and can interview etc asap...but without being so careless as Utd were in the way the totally undermined ETHs position before then keeping him.

Ange himself was appointed on 6 June 23 so it was quickly wrapped up, albeit that we didn't have a permanent manager to upset while we looked about, although we still would not have been able to approach managers who were still in employment until the season finished.

I expect a pretty clear statement either way this week on Ange, probably early this week and may be an appointment within a fortnight.


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Our recruitment structure is more settled than theirs though. We're more likely to press ahead with club buys regardless of the man in charge. They had no choice, once they kept him on, but to say "who do you want?".

Given the nature of our decline over the last year, I'd hope to god Spurs already have a nailed on manager already in mind. Christ, they've had long enough to ponder the next move.

I'd think long and hard about whether this is the right decision because getting rid of a man who's just won a trophy doesn't exactly send a signal to other managers that we're the kind of club to give manager's the time to build a project. It would just add further evidence to the poisoned chalice tag.

comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 18 minutes ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 39 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 45 minutes ago
I just want this manager situation sorted. After all the noise coming out yesterday I thought we'd have some clarification by now, so that is disappointing.

Surely it's best to get the manager in place before all the player signings?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I think that Ange has had some holiday. It wouldn't surprise me if he was back in UK this week to discuss his future.

Also think its right that the club let the emotion of the Europa win die down a bit and make a calm decisions.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
Surely the emotion has died down now? Didn't the Brighton result help bring fans back down to Earth? You know, that result may have just added to the indecision.

The time is right to be making things clear so we can start making proper moves this summer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------



Seriously Spurtle WTF are you still waffling on about the Prem? Spurs fans will be enjoying the Europa win for alonger than 10 days.

Brighton match was completely meaningless, and Spurs finished the match with a practical reserve side on the pitch.

comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 11 minutes ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 22 minutes ago
On the flip side of that Fridge is the mess Utd made of the ETH situation. Everyone thought he was gone, they interviewed other managers and then they kept ETH and gave him a new deal.

I would hope that if Spurs are thinking of sacking him then a few feelers are out there, and we know what manager options are and can interview etc asap...but without being so careless as Utd were in the way the totally undermined ETHs position before then keeping him.

Ange himself was appointed on 6 June 23 so it was quickly wrapped up, albeit that we didn't have a permanent manager to upset while we looked about, although we still would not have been able to approach managers who were still in employment until the season finished.

I expect a pretty clear statement either way this week on Ange, probably early this week and may be an appointment within a fortnight.


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Our recruitment structure is more settled than theirs though. We're more likely to press ahead with club buys regardless of the man in charge. They had no choice, once they kept him on, but to say "who do you want?".

Given the nature of our decline over the last year, I'd hope to god Spurs already have a nailed on manager already in mind. Christ, they've had long enough to ponder the next move.

I'd think long and hard about whether this is the right decision because getting rid of a man who's just won a trophy doesn't exactly send a signal to other managers that we're the kind of club to give manager's the time to build a project. It would just add further evidence to the poisoned chalice tag.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Very true and that is what makes this such a difficult position to be in. There are some very obvious failings, there are some mitigating circumstances, there seems to be real support from the players behind Ange. There is potentially a benefit from some continuity to build from the cup win, but if it fails then a manager change mid-season is almost always a fecking mess.

For me, if we are going to change manager than it has to be a clearly better man coming in, not just a Silva or a Frank type, who have done ok at a lower level but never in a far more pressurised and demanding situation.

comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 34 minutes ago
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 11 minutes ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 22 minutes ago
On the flip side of that Fridge is the mess Utd made of the ETH situation. Everyone thought he was gone, they interviewed other managers and then they kept ETH and gave him a new deal.

I would hope that if Spurs are thinking of sacking him then a few feelers are out there, and we know what manager options are and can interview etc asap...but without being so careless as Utd were in the way the totally undermined ETHs position before then keeping him.

Ange himself was appointed on 6 June 23 so it was quickly wrapped up, albeit that we didn't have a permanent manager to upset while we looked about, although we still would not have been able to approach managers who were still in employment until the season finished.

I expect a pretty clear statement either way this week on Ange, probably early this week and may be an appointment within a fortnight.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
Our recruitment structure is more settled than theirs though. We're more likely to press ahead with club buys regardless of the man in charge. They had no choice, once they kept him on, but to say "who do you want?".

Given the nature of our decline over the last year, I'd hope to god Spurs already have a nailed on manager already in mind. Christ, they've had long enough to ponder the next move.

I'd think long and hard about whether this is the right decision because getting rid of a man who's just won a trophy doesn't exactly send a signal to other managers that we're the kind of club to give manager's the time to build a project. It would just add further evidence to the poisoned chalice tag.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Very true and that is what makes this such a difficult position to be in. There are some very obvious failings, there are some mitigating circumstances, there seems to be real support from the players behind Ange. There is potentially a benefit from some continuity to build from the cup win, but if it fails then a manager change mid-season is almost always a fecking mess.

For me, if we are going to change manager than it has to be a clearly better man coming in, not just a Silva or a Frank type, who have done ok at a lower level but never in a far more pressurised and demanding situation.

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The part I don't quite get is that this is an open goal for Levy. Sacking Ange only serves to put the attention back on himself again. If he sacks him after 10 games next year then the fanbase will say "okay fair enough, he had long enough".

If I were in Levy's shoes, I'd keep Ange on but only commit to club sanctioned buys. Don't buy players Ange himself has targeted. At least that way, if it does go tiiiiits up, we've still got a clear direction and club philosophy regardless.

To your other point, I disagree about Frank. I actually do think he has what it takes to manager at our level. One thing is for sure, the only success we've ever had, and by success I mean punching high in the league as well as cup, was by taking a chance on more unfancied types. Redknapp and Poch were by no means big names before coming in. That's the profile that works better for us. Not the glamour man doing us a favour. Sick of that experiment quite honestly. I'd sooner have Frank than Inzaghi, genuinely.

comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 1 hour, 21 minutes ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 34 minutes ago
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 11 minutes ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 22 minutes ago
On the flip side of that Fridge is the mess Utd made of the ETH situation. Everyone thought he was gone, they interviewed other managers and then they kept ETH and gave him a new deal.

I would hope that if Spurs are thinking of sacking him then a few feelers are out there, and we know what manager options are and can interview etc asap...but without being so careless as Utd were in the way the totally undermined ETHs position before then keeping him.

Ange himself was appointed on 6 June 23 so it was quickly wrapped up, albeit that we didn't have a permanent manager to upset while we looked about, although we still would not have been able to approach managers who were still in employment until the season finished.

I expect a pretty clear statement either way this week on Ange, probably early this week and may be an appointment within a fortnight.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
Our recruitment structure is more settled than theirs though. We're more likely to press ahead with club buys regardless of the man in charge. They had no choice, once they kept him on, but to say "who do you want?".

Given the nature of our decline over the last year, I'd hope to god Spurs already have a nailed on manager already in mind. Christ, they've had long enough to ponder the next move.

I'd think long and hard about whether this is the right decision because getting rid of a man who's just won a trophy doesn't exactly send a signal to other managers that we're the kind of club to give manager's the time to build a project. It would just add further evidence to the poisoned chalice tag.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Very true and that is what makes this such a difficult position to be in. There are some very obvious failings, there are some mitigating circumstances, there seems to be real support from the players behind Ange. There is potentially a benefit from some continuity to build from the cup win, but if it fails then a manager change mid-season is almost always a fecking mess.

For me, if we are going to change manager than it has to be a clearly better man coming in, not just a Silva or a Frank type, who have done ok at a lower level but never in a far more pressurised and demanding situation.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
The part I don't quite get is that this is an open goal for Levy. Sacking Ange only serves to put the attention back on himself again. If he sacks him after 10 games next year then the fanbase will say "okay fair enough, he had long enough".

If I were in Levy's shoes, I'd keep Ange on but only commit to club sanctioned buys. Don't buy players Ange himself has targeted. At least that way, if it does go tiiiiits up, we've still got a clear direction and club philosophy regardless.

To your other point, I disagree about Frank. I actually do think he has what it takes to manager at our level. One thing is for sure, the only success we've ever had, and by success I mean punching high in the league as well as cup, was by taking a chance on more unfancied types. Redknapp and Poch were by no means big names before coming in. That's the profile that works better for us. Not the glamour man doing us a favour. Sick of that experiment quite honestly. I'd sooner have Frank than Inzaghi, genuinely.
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I'd prefer Glasner

comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 4 hours, 45 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 18 minutes ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 39 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 45 minutes ago
I just want this manager situation sorted. After all the noise coming out yesterday I thought we'd have some clarification by now, so that is disappointing.

Surely it's best to get the manager in place before all the player signings?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I think that Ange has had some holiday. It wouldn't surprise me if he was back in UK this week to discuss his future.

Also think its right that the club let the emotion of the Europa win die down a bit and make a calm decisions.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
Surely the emotion has died down now? Didn't the Brighton result help bring fans back down to Earth? You know, that result may have just added to the indecision.

The time is right to be making things clear so we can start making proper moves this summer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------



Seriously Spurtle WTF are you still waffling on about the Prem? Spurs fans will be enjoying the Europa win for alonger than 10 days.

Brighton match was completely meaningless, and Spurs finished the match with a practical reserve side on the pitch.


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Brighton result may have been meaningless to you or other fans but to the board it might not have been. They don't always think like fans. Ange could have been on the brink at that point and the result may have swung it for them in wanting to get rid rather than keep. It was another awful result to finish the season off with so hard to blame them.

I'm always hearing fans tell me that the league form is unimportant and how it'll be forgotten in years from now. Well we are not years from now so the form we are experiencing currently is important. It matters in terms of whether we think the manager is good enough to carry on.