Spurs need a new mindset as much as a new coach.
Any critique of Tottenham Hotspur’s flaws and travails must first acknowledge that their last sustained period of success was back in the early 1980s. There have been trophies since, an FA Cup here (1991), a League Cup or two there (1999 and 2008), but nothing compared to the excellence of that well-balanced side managed by Keith Burkinshaw, full of the elegance of Glenn Hoddle and mental and physical robustness of Graham Roberts and Steve Perryman that won the FA Cup in 1981 and 1982 and the 1984 Uefa Cup.
That team was overshadowed by the triumphs of Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in a golden age for English clubs in the European Cup. But they were tough in crunch moments, such a contrast to those who currently wear that famous lilywhite who surrendered so humiliatingly at Anfield last night.
Any analysis of the current Spurs comes with caveats. Much is right about the modern Spurs: magnificent stadium and training ground, great pitch, as Harry Kane told Mathys Tel, and an extensive if frustrated fanbase. But they lack the character of winners, and that’s down to recruitment, down to the mentality of those in the boardroom, and down to a culture stretching back decades. It’s easy to lambast the latest head coach, Ange Postecoglou, and the chairman since 2001, Daniel Levy, but Tottenham’s institutional failings pre-date them.
A quick history lesson is in order. With Perryman suspended for the second leg of the 1984 Uefa Cup final against Anderlecht, Roberts was captain and immense on the night at White Hart Lane. There was a resilience to that side of Burkinshaw’s. They were without the great Ray Clemence, who’d broken his collarbone against Fulham in January. Up stepped the 21-year-old Tony Parks, inexperienced but fearless. When the pressure was most on in the shootout at the Lane, and Danny Thomas had missed, Parks faced Arnor Gudjohnsen. Eidur’s dad struck Anderlecht’s fifth penalty well enough, but Parks stretched and stretched and pushed it away. The athleticism was one thing, but it was Parks’ determination and concentration when the heat was most on that brought Spurs the trophy.
Their most celebrated player, Hoddle, was injured for the final but had been a key performer en route to the showdown. Hoddle was a winner as well as one of the most cultured footballers English football has ever nurtured (and never used properly by the national team). He was far tougher than often portrayed by those who nicknamed him “Glenda”. Hoddle needed to be tough to weave his magic on those muddy pitches with opponents kicking him, and little protection afforded by referees.
To remember Hoddle in Spurs midfield and then to look at the three who were all but invisible at Anfield last night was saddening. The starting midfield of Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr and Rodrigo Bentancur could not have been more workmanlike had they warmed up in overalls. They could not have been more lightweight. There was no fight, nobody like a Micky Hazard leading the resistance. There was nobody taking responsibility when Virgil van Dijk attacked a corner and scored.