‘I spoke to my contact’ - Tottenham seal new deal that Roberto De Zerbi will love
Tottenham Hotspur’s move to appoint Andrew Crofts as a new assistant manager for Roberto De Zerbi is “exactly what they need” at the moment.
The pair previously worked together during the former’s time on the South Coast, when he promoted Crofts into the first-team staff, having previously been head coach of the U21 team.
Wyness believes that the appointment is a “very big positive” for Spurs, and should help ease the transition of young players into the first team over the coming years.
He made it clear that De Zerbi is a strong believer in Crofts and the skill set that he provides as a coach.
The 42-year-old will work alongside the established duo of Bruno Saltor and Andreas Georgson as De Zerbi’s assistants.
Tottenham fans should be ‘happy’ with long-term plan
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Tottenham fans should be optimistic over the long-term plans that are being put in place at their club.
The Scottish businessman feels that the club hierarchy have learned from the mistakes that they made last season, and are ready to back the manager on every possible level.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, he explained why Crofts’ arrival is a shrewd move for the North Londoners.
“I spoke to my contact at Brighton about this and yes, De Zerbi did rate him and promoted him, and I think this is actually another thing that Spurs are getting right,” he said.
“Now for all the stick that we gave Spurs at the end of last season, quite rightly, I've got to say that they've had a decent transfer window so far and this sort of move is exactly what they need.
“They do need to get this youth system sorted and bring the youth through in a much better way, and having somebody linked to De Zerbi like this does give some hint that they're looking at a future longer-term plan as well.
“I think it's a very big positive for Spurs, and there's a lot of things I'm starting to see going well there right now. They've learnt from that huge scare they got last year.
“If I was a Spurs fan I'd be quietly happy right now at the speed of things being done and also the longer-term plans that are starting to take shape.”
Tottenham see Lucas Bergvall position strengthened
Former Tottenham scout Mick Brown told Football Insider earlier this week that Nottingham Forest and Newcastle’s chase of midfielder Lucas Bergvall “plays right into Spurs’ hands.”
The 20-year-old has expressed a desire to leave the Lilywhites this summer, prompting the club to reluctantly entertain offers for him.
Both Forest and Newcastle have already had bids rejected for the Swede, with Spurs now holding out and hoping for a bidding war to play out.
Tottenham have been demanding a fee of £50million to sanction Bergvall’s exit, but are now sensing an opportunity to drive that price up even further in the coming weeks.