Tottenham Hotspur appoint ‘outstanding’ Andre Villas-Boas as new manager

ANDRE Villas-Boas is “privileged” to become Tottenham Hotspur’s head coach and foresees a bright future for theclub.

Weeks of speculation ended today when the Portuguese was named as successor to Harry Redknapp, who left White Hart Lane last month. Villas-Boas has signed a deal until 2015 with Spurs, where he will hope to make a better impact than during his ill-fated spell with Chelsea, who sacked the 34-year-old last season just eight months into a three-year contract.

“Tottenham Hotspur is a great club with a strong tradition and fantastic support, both at home and throughout the world,” Villas-Boas told the club’s website. “I feel privileged to be its coach. For me, this is one of the most exciting coaching positions in the Premier League.

“This is a squad any coach would love to work with and together I believe we can bring success in the seasons ahead.”

Villas-Boas was among the favourites throughout Spurs’ hunt for a new manager despite his torrid time at Stamford Bridge. His spell in west London was dogged by claims of player unrest as his side struggled to reach expectations, resulting in his March departure.

Roberto Di Matteo’s subsequent success raised further questions over his managerial ability, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has no doubts that Villas-Boas is the best man for job. “I am delighted that Andre has agreed to become our new head coach,” he said of Villas-Boas, who brings first-team fitness coach Jose Mario Rocha and head of opposition scouting Daniel Sousa. “He has an outstanding reputation for his technical knowledge of the game and for creating well-organised teams capable of playing football in an attractive and attacking style.

“Andre shares our long-term ambitions and ethos of developing players and nurturing young talent, and he will be able to do so now at a new world-class training centre.”

Levy added: “We are constantly looking to move the club forward. It is important that we now look to develop the potential within the squads at all levels, whilst strengthening the first-team in the summer in key positions with players who will become part of the future success of the club.”

One of Villas-Boas’ first tasks will be to try to ensure Spurs do not lose any of their star names. While Gareth Bale has signed a four-year contract, doubts persist over the future of Luka Modric, who was denied a move to Chelsea last summer and is now strongly linked with Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Tottenham themselves are said to be interested in Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen, CSKA Moscow’s Alan Dzagoev and Hoffenheim midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, who was on loan at Swansea last season.