Chelsea reject is the new favourite to replace Redknapp at Tottenham
Published:Andre Villas-Boas has emerged as an 11/8 frontrunner to succeed Harry Redknapp as Tottenham manager after reports that he has been sounded out about his interest in the position.
Redknapp was shockingly sacked in the early hours of Thursday morning and though Everton’s David Moyes was initially installed as favourite, Spurs promised a thorough recruitment process, with Villas-Boas the latest candidate under scrutiny.
It is claimed that the Portuguese tactician was approached by a third party to ascertain whether he would consider a return to London three months after his stint in charge of Chelsea was prematurely terminated, and responded positively.
Villas-Boas’ stint at Stamford Bridge was an irrefutable disaster, leaving the club outside the Champions League places and on the brink of European elimination having fallen out with several of the Blues’ most experienced players.
However, his ability was proven in the previous campaign as he guided Porto to a treble of league, cup and Europa League in which he restored them to the top of the table domestically courtesy of an unbeaten season.
His major problem at Chelsea was the lack of tact with which he attempted to phase out some of the ageing stars, who also happened to wield the most power in the dressing room.
With Spurs boasting a younger and less trophy-laden squad, it is plausible that such problems could be avoided at White Hart Lane, but his struggles with a local rival might mean that his appointment would be greeted with scepticism by fans.
In his favour is the fact that most of the other contenders either lack the top-level experience he possesses – Moyes (7/2), Roberto Martinez (4/1), Tim Sherwood (10/1) – or are also perceived to have failed in their last big job: Fabio Capello (7/1), Jurgen Klinsmann (10/1), Rafael Benitez (10/1).
The one exception is Laurent Blanc at 12/1, though he could end up in the second category if France make an early exit at Euro 2012.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
