The last time Spurs won a major trophy was the League Cup under former manager Juande Ramos back in 2008, with a Jonathan Woodgate winner in extra-time against Chelsea. Nine full-time and caretaker managers later and the North London club have not won any additional silverware.
Will the latest change of manager with the appointment of Ange Postecoglou finally bring Spurs success?
Last season resulted in an eighth-place finish for Tottenham after a campaign that saw three coaches in charge. It began with Antonio Conte, but the Italian departed in late March. Conte’s assistant, Cristian Stellini, was appointed see the side through to the end of the season, but less than a month later, Chairman Daniel Levy replaced him with Ryan Mason. Overall it was another poor campaign and there is no European football for Spurs fans to look forward in the forthcoming season.
With the job of not only steadying the ship, but getting it sailing in the right direction again, is Australian manager Ange Postecoglou. The 57 year-old comes to the Premier League after winning five trophies at his previous club Celtic, which included a domestic treble last season. During his time in Scotland, Postecoglou used a 4-3-3 system to great success, with a brand of exciting and attacking football.
Before joining the Scottish giants, Postecoglou had a three-year stay in Japan with Yokohama. Whilst at Celtic, he brought several Japanese players to Glasgow, including successful signings such as Kyogo Furuhashi (who won PFA Scotland Player of the Year in 2022-23).
Looking at the transfer business already confirmed by Spurs this summer, two new faces have come through the door. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has joined from Italian side Empoli for an initial fee of £17.2m, as a potential replacement for Hugo Lloris who is now 36 years of age.
One of the biggest transfers of the entire window so far in the Premier League is James Maddison, who joins Spurs from relegated Leicester. A fee of £40m was agreed upon between the two English clubs, and the talented England international could bring the spark that has been missing from previous Spurs sides.
Defender Pedro Porro and attacker Dejan Kulusevski have also had their loan moves to Tottenham made permanent this transfer window.
With the foundation of a strong squad in place and the potential arrivals of 22-year-old Dutch centre-back Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg and Israelian winger Manor Solomon, who was on loan at Fulham last season, Spurs should have a good chance get back in the top six at a minimum.
However, there are growing rumours of a move away for Harry Kane with German champions Bayern Munich recently bidding a reported £80m for the 29-year-old. If Kane decides to stay put at Spurs for another season, then his goals will not have to be replaced. The England striker scored 30 league goals last season.
Under new management will the 2023-24 season be too soon for Spurs to win a first trophy since 2008? If Postecoglou can get his brand of football implemented successfully and key players stick around, then there is no reason why Tottenham can’t start challenging for silverware again.
