The Portuguese Nuno Espirito Santo, most recently on a four-year deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers, agreed to a two-year deal to take the lead with Tottenham.
“It’s an enormous pleasure and honor, there’s joy and I’m happy and looking forward to starting work,” Nuno said. “We don’t have any days to lose and we must start working immediately as pre-season starts in a few days.”
Nuno’s coaching career highlights focus on joining the Wolves and guiding them from the Championship to the Premier League. He has also had stints as a manager with Valencia and Porto prior to the years with the Wolves.
He did also make the Europa League when managing Rio Ave.
“First of all, I’d like to welcome Nuno to the Club,” Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said. “We should like to thank our supporters for all their patience throughout this process. I’ve spoken already about the need to revert back to our core DNA of playing attacking, entertaining football and Fabio and I believe Nuno is the man who can take our talented group of players, embrace our young players coming through and build something special.”
The official Premier League website noted that Nuno had been named Barclays Manager of the month on three occasions.
While Nuno was definitely not the Hotspurs’ No. 1 candidate over the period of their search, he does come in with very little personal or off-the-pitch baggage.
He will have to maintain a club’s and its fans’ expectations with Tottenham, but he does join a club that struck out in all other options when looking to replace Jose Mourinho.
It’s also important to note that Nuno has had some solid impacts on player development throughout his career. Conor Cody became a highly-productive center back for Nuno and the Wolves after previously playing as a midfielder; Matt Doherty, now with Tottenham, was firing on all cylinders with Nuno and Wolverhampton.
Player development is key and Nuno may be able to make a splash in that regard in North London.
His first marquee matchup for the club will kick off on 15 Aug vs Manchester City.
“When you have a squad with quality and talent, we want to make the fans proud and enjoy,” Nuno said.
