Tottenham told to follow Celtic's 'grandad' trick over next manager as Hoops hold key tip amid relegation fear
Tottenham are in relegation bother at Premier League level and have been urged to follow a Celtic example.
A veteran broadcaster has told Tottenham that they can save their Premier League status by taking a leaf out of Celtic’s book.
Thursday’s 3-1 dismantling by Crystal Palace has heightened fears that last season’s Europa League winners - a success masterminded by ex-Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou who was subsequently sacked weeks later - could go down. They are 16th and a point above the drop zone with form hurtling backwards under Igor Tudor, who has replaced Thomas Frank as head coach.
Relegation for one of the traditional ‘big six’ clubs would be unthinkable but it’s a situation Tottenham are being forced to stare down. With their own season in Scotland going awry on two occasions, Celtic have called upon legendary former boss Martin O’Neill to guide them for the rest of the campaign.
Who could Tottenham hire as their next manager?
Veteran broadcaster Richard Keys senses an opportunity for Tottenham to do the same and at least secure their league status amid a terrible campaign. He thinks Spurs can call upon ex-boss and player Glenn Hoddle to be their equivalent of what O’Neill is doing at Celtic.
The former Sky Sports presenter posted on X: “Igor Tudor’s tough guy act at Spurs isn’t impressing anyone - least of all the players. Either he’s got to change or he should be changed. Spurs could follow Celtic’s example & put a ‘grandad’ coach in. It’s got to be Glenn Hoddle.”
O’Neill has Celtic within five points of Premiership leaders Hearts despite poor performances and results at times this season, and faces a Scottish Cup quarter-final with Rangers on Sunday. Hoops hero Sir Kenny Dalglish has been left in awe of the job O’Neill has done over the course of this season.
How has Martin O’Neill performed upon return to Celtic?
He said: “I think the biggest difference between now and then is back then Martin was choosing the players. The current group have been on the books since he came back, there’s only a couple that were signed (in January).
“(Alex) Oxlade-Chamberlain came in after a good while out of the game, but I don’t think Martin signed too many of the others. So for him, he’s used to being successful. He worked under a great manager in Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest, so he must’ve got a good education there and he brought it to Celtic Park. He got the club to a European final when they got beat in Portugal, so he’s done a fantastic job any time he’s been there.
“So I think whoever thought up the idea of Martin coming back in to babysit for a wee while - they deserve a whole lot of credit as well because he’s done a fantastic job for them. In the circumstances (coming back a second time), he wouldn’t have enjoyed it because (Wilfried) Nancy only lasted 33 days - even I lasted longer than that! It had to be done, that’s for sure. But Martin did a fantastic job before that and he’s picked it back up again.