Pleat stays in charge

David Pleat: in charge until the end of the season

Raoul Simons|Adrian Curtis|Evening Standard

14 April 2012

David Pleat was today confirmed as Tottenham manager until the end of the season.

Chris Hughton will continue as his assistant until Spurs appoint permanent successors to Glenn Hoddle and John Gorman next summer.

Speaking at today's annual general meeting at White Hart Lane, chairman Daniel Levy claimed the decision over Hoddle's successor will ultimately be the club's "most important managerial appointment".

He said: "I am pleased to announce that David Pleat and Chris Hughton will continue in their current positions until the end of the season.

"This will give the club the degree of continuity it needs until we make our most important managerial appointment. We will make that appointment in the summer."

Levy also insisted that despite a lacklustre start - which sees them lying 12th in the Premiership - Pleat's target should still be a place in Europe.

Levy said: "For this season we must do everything to try to achieve European qualification, either as a result of our league position or cup success. It is vitally important that we, as fans, remain behind the team. We are currently competitive in the league and in both cup competitions, we have everything to play for."

Pleat, 58, who is the club's director of football, has made no secret of his desire to manage Spurs again after a successful spell in the 1980s.

Results have improved since he took over as caretaker following Hoddle's sacking last September with the team winning seven out of 12 games.

Pleat has now been given five months to prove himself, otherwise the board may approach other candidates such as Martin O'Neill, Alan Curbishley or Graeme Souness, who have all been linked with the job.

Today's annual meeting also saw Levy reiterate his warning that Spurs could quit White Hart Lane unless transport links are improved.

The club have plans to increase the capacity of the stadium to 44,000 but will not start redevelopment work until action is taken to combat the traffic chaos in N17 on match days.

Levy said: "Our development plans remain hampered by a lack of any assurance that improvements to the transport infrastructure servicing this area will be forthcoming.

"We have in place a draft development plan which over a number of years will transform the stadium and its immediate surroundings.

"However, any significant spend by the club cannot proceed until we can secure some degree of commitment from the numerous authorities involved in the process, including the Mayor's office, London Development Agency and Transport for London. We will also keep an open mind on other possible opportunities."

London Underground scrapped plans for a new Tube station at Northumberland Park last summer and no new solutions from the transport authorities have been forthcoming.

Spurs are understood to be considering Wembley and the proposed Olympic Stadium at Stratford as alternatives to White Hart Lane.

The club today also announced a two-year extension to their shirt sponsorship deal with Thomson Holidays and a new five-year agreement with loyalty card company MBNA.

Thomson became the first holiday firm to sponsor a Premiership club when they signed their original deal two years ago. The new agreement is worth around £5million, although there are bonus clauses that provide for further cash should Spurs qualify for Europe, win the Premiership or a domestic cup competition.

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