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Santini will take his time rebuilding Spurs
Tottenham manager Jacques Santini is going to take his time finding players who can revive Spurs' glory years. But fans hoping for a French revolution as seen at Arsenal may be disappointed. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy introduced the ex-France manager Santini on Wednesday, alongside his assistant Martin Jol and sporting director Frank Arnesen, who it appeared would have the power over Santini. The 52-year-old took the Spurs job after the French Football Federation decided not to renew his contract before France's disastrous defence of their European Championship crown where they lost to eventual winners Greece in the quarter-finals. Spurs finished a disappointing 14th in the English Premiership last season under the guidance of former Director of Football David Pleat, well in the shadow of North London rivals Arsenal, who romped to the title unbeaten with their own French manager Arsene Wenger. "My first priority is to work with my staff and get to know the players and the club," Santini said. "I know Spurs have been a big club in the past. I like joining a club with those traditions. My responsibility is to make a good team to make the fans of Tottenham very happy. "Today I'm looking forward to a new club. It's always been a dream and an ambition to coach in the Premiership, which is for me the best championship in Europe and I hope to have much success here. "It's very important to know all the Spurs players to begin this season well. Most of the international players are on holiday and for me it's very difficult to know the quality of the players with precision," he added. Levy refused to say how long Santini had to impress. Previous incumbents Christian Gross, George Graham and Glenn Hoddle were all shipped out quickly for failing to deliver the goods. But Santini was clear he had three years to restore Tottenham to their former glory. "Mr Levy's proposal to me was a three-year plan," he explained. "The first year it will be important to assess the quality of the team and allow me to recruit players but we must start the season well and we are hoping to pick up many, many points in August and September to give a dynamic elan to the club." In England stars Ledley King, Paul Robinson and Jermain Defoe, Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane and Mali forward Fredi Kanoute, Spurs have the rudiments of a decent team. Kanoute worked under his new boss at Lyon, but frustrated at being overlooked by Santini for the France team, he switched his alliegance to his father's homeland Mali in February. The potentially fractious relationship between the two could be crucial to Tottenham's fortunes as there are few in the dressing room who can converse in French. The language barrier may prove problematic. Santini spoke slowly and repetitively in English but listened to questions through a translator whom he turned to for several problem words as the British tabloid press pushed him on precisely what he wanted to achieve. "The challenge for us is to find out when we can compete with Arsenal. We hope to make a good season," Santini said. But Spurs fans looking jealously at Wenger's dazzling array of France stars such as Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Patrick Vieira should expect British signings rather than other faces from the France team following Santini, unlike the 'French Revolution at The Lane' heralded on the front of Spurs Monthly magazine. "We can't spend what we don't have but the money is available. The final decision will rest with the board," Levy said. "Any change needs time, but I'm very confident Frank and his team will bring success. One of the most important appointments was Frank, and that will dictate the player strategy, which we have discussed. We're a British club and the team will remain predominantly British," he added, apparently indicating that the power rested with Arnesen. "We need to rebuild and there is not going to be an overnight success," Levy said. "I always agree it is much easier if you sign players who know the mentality," Arnesen added. |
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