The End of Tottenham’s Fight for Fourth

The fight for fourth place in the Premier League has become more like a war, consuming the ambitions of clubs in the top half over the last decade, none more so in recent years than Tottenham Hotspur.

Growing up through the Noughties, I saw the Big Four in English football as a dominant and statute force; Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool. Change to the elite was few and far between, perhaps most notably with Everton in 2004-05. The top four clubs in English football remained the same for many seasons, though. The decline of Liverpool, however, saw a vacuum form, and the seasonal battles for fourth place begun.

Tottenham came agonisingly close to breaking the mould under Jol, falling short at the final hurdle in 2006 on account of dodgy lasagna. The 2009-10 season under Redknapp saw Spurs finish above the likes of Arab-invested Man City, Moyes' Everton and the fallen Liverpool in fourth, and the Big Four had finally been broken. And ever since Peter Crouch's goal at Maine Road, Spurs have been battling ceaselessly and relentlessly to finish fourth every season.

Since 2010, three managers have been sacked, floods of plastic fans have held up the Lilywhite banners, and the identity of the squad and the club has changed beyond recognition. Coupled with off-pitch issues, such as the rise in ticket prices, inflated transfer windows, and Northumberland Park Project, Spurs fans have been left thoroughly exhausted and deflated by the war.

But the saddest thing, the most tragic fact that angers fans most of all, is that after all this conflict, after years of battles for a top four finish, the only rewards for the club has been Ramos' league cup win in 2008 and one season in the Champions League. Totttenham's status as one of the best clubs in English football has been returned, however their European status has not. Fans have been left thinking of what could have been, rather than what was.

A new season is before us, and with it, a new manager. Mauricio Pochettino joins Tottenham after raising Southampton into the top half of the table with attractive, attacking football and excellent man management. Highly regarded for his management philosophy and reputation, Pochettino is expected to change the picture at White Hart Lane, a picture that took many a heavy beating last season.

Tottenham's squad is looking healthy and fairly well-rounded. Key players, such as Lloris, Eriksen, and Vertonghen, will play under Pochettino, a luxury sadly lost on other clubs. The prospect of Erik Lamela to play a key role this season after recovering from injury and starring in pre-season has increased morale for Spurs fans. And with Levy strengthening defensively, last season's regular beatings may be at an end.

Expectations in the league, however, are at its lowest in the past five years. The war for fourth place continues, and motivations for success are high; United under Van Gaal are looking to return to their place amongst Europe's elite, Liverpool are hoping to retain their breakthrough at the top, Arsenal are looking beyond fourth, and Everton under Martinez want to prove themselves as more than just a threat. After last season, other clubs and their fans think much less of Tottenham and their squad, and rightly so.

All of this is understood by Spurs fans, but hopes of a good seasons should not be discarded. Pochettino will begin integrating his high-pressing, attacking, hard-working philosophy on a more than capable set of players. Our squad depth will allow us to challenge in the cups, notably a Europa League with a place in the Champions League for the winner. League games against the top teams will be more competitive this season.

However, the likelihood of Spurs finishing in the top four this season is low. This will be a season of transition under a new manager, reforming a young squad under Pochettino's new philosophy. Tottenham will be building a foundation for future success; even the ficklest of fans will refrain from calling for this manager's head come May.

As surprising as it may be, a season's respite away from the bloody battle for fourth place will prove a healthy remedy for a broken club, a source of cautious optimism for Tottenham's future.  

Mourinho: Never go back

Jose Mourinho is the most successful manager in Chelsea's history, winning multiple trophies including two league titles. He is one of the most revered managers in current times. He is two time Champions League winner. He is an undeniable character. And yet, I do not believe Jose's second tenure at Chelsea will last long.

He is, most certainly, The Special One.

In the last 10 years, Chelsea has transformed from a top table London club into a European heavyweight, a superpower in the modern game. 10 years ago, the club was bought by Russian oil baron billionaire Roman Abramovich. As we have seen in this century, injecting money into a club is a surefire way to success. Chelsea Football Club will always be the perfect example of this. Their fans have their oil baron owner to thank for that.

But they do not worship the billionaire, oh no. They wouldn't dare, nor would any reasonable fan. They worship the little Portuguese man self-proclaimed as 'The Special One'. In their eyes, he is the man that created the team that brought to that superpower status. He represents success, silverware, pure and utter glory, and arguably genius.

For a legendary figure the Chelsea fans have described him as, he was sacked by the football club in 2007 after only three years in charge. The itchy trigger finger of Roman Abramovich fired the first bullet on The Special One, one bullet of a fully-loaded magazine. Since his sacking, Abramovich has shot down many managers, all hoping to build at Chelsea but only given time for a quick fix: Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink, Carlo Ancelotti, Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo and, most recently, Rafa Benitez. 7 managers in 6 years...

Stalin, the Chelsea fan

Roman Abramovich is an impossible man to please, a tyrant to say the least. He demands success from the word 'go'. Like Joseph Stalin of Soviet Russia, Abramovich operates by the basis that no man is immune to being removed, and the best way to fix a problem is to remove the man. No man, no problem. Jose Mourinho is a manager that will demand large control of his club. At Real Madrid, he demanded control of his transfers, but as we have seen with the Gareth Bale situation, the man in control of the transfers is the President Florentino Perez. This element combined with the Russian owner does not bode well for Mourinho's second tenure at Chelsea.

To me, this appointment is one not just to bring success, but to appease some of the discontented Blues fans. Aren't they all ecstatic about their God coming back? And it may turn out fine. Abramovich will provide huge amounts of money to make a title-winning squad. If Jose buys well, his first few seasons may be successful. But football is ever changing, and success, at any level, is never permanent. This is something the Vozhd will never understand, and as long as he controls Chelsea FC, no manager, not even The Special One, is safe.

They say you should never come back to your old club. But to me, that's more of a teaching of sustaining legacy and reputation. Whilst Mourinho's reputation will never be tarnished, the least can be said for his tenure. As much as I love the character of The Special One, I fear his second tenure at Chelsea will be much more short-lived than his first.

The Great Chelsea Purge, and it's not over yet.