Venables at Spurs helm

Press, 23 November 1987, Page 30

Venables at Spurs helm

NZPA-Reuter London When Terry Venables was appointed manager of Tottenham Hotspurs last month he made it clear he was looking forward to "a challenge.”

Mr Venables will be weir aware of the size of that challenge when he takes over the reins at the famous London club’s White Hart Lane ground this week.

Six weeks ago all was well at Tottenham. It had in David Pleat one of the best young managers in the country, a crop of talented players and was among the English first division pacemakers. But Mr Pleat resigned following newspaper allegations he had been questioned by police for trying to solicit prostitutes and since then Tottenham has lost its way. A 2-0 defeat by Luton yesterday left it without a win in eight matches and saw it tumble to midway

In the table. j, Mr Venables, who led Barcelona to the Spanish first division championship in 1985 and the European Cup final 12 months later, was the obvious , choice to take over Tottenham when the Catalan club dispensed with his services. But when he arrived back in England on Saturday, Mr Venables, a former Tottenham player, made it clear that he had no magic wand to wave over White Hart Lane. J The return of Mr Venables to the English game has been welcomed by George Graham, manager of north London neighbour Arsenal, which is now leading the first division.

Both men are charismatic figures who became firm friends during their playing days at Chelsea in the early 19605. Mr Venables was best man at Mr Graham’s wedding.