Levy wasted £104m on Poch dud who was “one of the worst signings Spurs have ever made”
The Tottenham Hotspur faithful have endured a rollercoaster journey in recent years – from the dizzying heights of a Champions League final to mid-table mediocrity, compounded by the painful departure of Harry Kane to Bayern Munich.
This stark decline has unfolded against a backdrop of managerial instability, with José Mourinho, Nuno Espírito Santo, and Antonio Conte all failing to recapture the magic of Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure.
Whispers around North London suggest the club might be considering a romantic reunion with Pochettino, the last manager to deliver sustained success.
The Argentine’s sacking in November 2019 – just five months after that unforgettable Champions League final – remains one of modern football’s great mysteries, particularly as Spurs find themselves in a similarly precarious league position today.
Pochettino’s post-Spurs journey has been nomadic:
- PSG (2021-2022): Domestic treble but Champions League failure
- Chelsea (2023): Sixth-place finish before “mutual consent” departure
- USA National Team (2023-present): Mixed results in CONCACAF competitions
His recent admission that “I would like one day to come back” has sent shockwaves through the fanbase, though Daniel Levy would need to sanction a £21m compensation package to make it happen.
The Ndombele Nightmare
Should Pochettino return, he’d be wise to avoid repeating past transfer mistakes – none more costly than Tanguy Ndombele. The French midfielder’s £63m acquisition in 2019 stands as a cautionary tale in poor recruitment.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | £63m |
| Total Wages | £41.2m |
| Appearances | 91 |
| Cost per Appearance | £1.1m |
| Goals | 10 |
| Cost per Goal | £10.4m |
| Assists | 9 |
| Cost per Assist | £11.5m |
| Total Cost | £104.2m |
Data sources: Transfermarkt & Capology
The numbers paint a damning picture – £5.4m per goal involvement for a player journalist Paul Brown branded “one of the worst signings Spurs have ever made.”
Ndombele’s eventual contract termination last summer finally ended a saga that saw Spurs pay portions of his £200k/week wage during loan spells at Lyon, Napoli, and Galatasaray.
While Postecoglou initially restored attacking verve to Tottenham’s play, recent results have raised questions about his long-term viability. A Pochettino return would undoubtedly energize the fanbase, but Levy must weigh the emotional appeal against:
- The £21m compensation hurdle
- Pochettino’s mixed record since leaving Spurs
- Whether the squad needs evolution rather than nostalgia
One lesson is clear – whether sticking with Postecoglou or turning back to Pochettino, Tottenham must avoid another Ndombele-scale transfer disaster if they’re to reclaim their place among England’s elite. The club’s next move could define their trajectory for years to come.