Speaking in a recent interview with Football Insider, former Tottenham Hotspur defender Alan Hutton has reacted to Graham Potter’s decision to turn down the managerial job with Spurs.
THE LOWDOWN: POTTER SAYS NO
Spurs are looking to appoint Jose Mourinho’s permanent successor in the near future, as they head towards pre-season ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
Potter was thought to be under consideration for the managerial vacancy at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but it had recently been revealed that the Brighton and Hove Albion boss has turned down their approach to make him Spurs’ new manager.
It was also claimed by The Sun (June 27th) that Potter was believed to be holding out for a top-four job when the opportunity arises.
Spurs finished seventh in the Premier League table last season, in what was a frustrating campaign on the whole for the club’s supporters.
THE LATEST: FORMER SPURS DEFENDER REACTS TO POTTER’S DECISION
Speaking in a recent interview with Football Insider, former Spurs defender Alan Hutton labelled Potter’s decision to turn down the London-based side as a ‘big statement’, whilst also praising the Brighton and Hove Albion boss for his impact with the Seagulls to date.
“I think that’s a big statement. Top four? We’re talking about elite managers there. I think what he’s done is absolutely fantastic. I think it would have been a great move for him personally.
“It’s something, maybe, the Tottenham fans wouldn’t like but me personally, I think he could have been a decent fit. The style of football that he likes to play, he’s quite happy bringing in youth players, developing players.
“He’s done a fantastic job. It’s someone that I do like. For him to turn it down, there must be reasons behind it. I don’t know what they are but we know Daniel Levy is a tough customer to deal with.
“Whether it’s something to do with transfer budgets or whatever, we don’t know. It’s a big statement to say you’re waiting for a top-four job.”
THE VERDICT: FRUSTRATING BLOW FOR SPURS
If the report is true, it’s certainly a big statement from Potter to make. You can understand Spurs’ thinking with this one, as he’s a manager who could have a bright future in the Premier League if the early stages of his time with Brighton are anything to go by.
Spurs need stability at the moment, and they need a manager with visions of a long-term project moving forwards, and Potter could have been the manager to do just that given his age and freshness in the top flight.
But his decision to turn them down in favour of wanting a job in the top-four instead will make for frustrating reading for Tottenham Hotspur’s supporters this summer, and perhaps it will come back to haunt Potter too if the offer he’s hoping for never arrives.
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