Daniel Levy is shortly working out of appropriate candidates for the present Tottenham managerial emptiness, but there may be one identify lurking within the shadows that’s definitely price contemplating. Palmeiras boss Abel Ferreira, who has been earmarked because the ‘subsequent Jose Mourinho’ is a grasp of his craft, whose ceiling is solely but to have been embraced by these watching on with admiration from Europe.
Paris Saint-Germain have been loosely linked with the 44-year-old Portuguese tactician in current days as they put together to half firm with Christophe Galtier on the finish of the season.
Studies in Brazil additionally indicated in February that Chelsea had been eager to talk with Ferreira within the aftermath of Graham Potter’s sacking in February.
It was additionally speculated in current months that super-agent Jorge Mendes tried to lure Ferreira again to Europe to avoid wasting relegation-battling Valencia, an invite that was politely declined.
But scratch beneath the service and Ferreira is a coach that should be taken critically, though there will likely be reservations about whether or not his achievements in South American soccer could be replicated in a high European league.
He beforehand hung out teaching Sporting’s B facet, Braga and PAOK earlier than transferring to Brazil with Palmeiras however his achievements in Sao Paulo should be taken critically.
In three seasons, Ferreira has received two Copa Libertadores – the most important prize in South American soccer – the Brazilian Serie A title, the Copa do Brasil, two Campeonato Paulistas, Recopa Sudamericana and Supercopa do Brasil.
He additionally led Palmeiras to the ultimate of the Membership World Cup in 2021 the place his facet had been narrowly crushed by Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea.
But it isn’t simply his skill to win trophies that makes him a fascinating candidate. He has man-management expertise, a transparent fashion of play with emphasis on counter-attacking soccer and a confirmed monitor report of growing expertise.
Ferreira was elementary to Danilo’s growth, as an example and the younger Brazilian midfielder was influential in Nottingham Forest’s survival bid following his £16million switch in January.
Actual Madrid’s new thrilling teenage gem Endrick, who will be part of the membership in 2024, Bournemouth’s Matias Vina and Porto’s Gabriel Veron additionally flourished underneath Ferreira’s management and steerage.
Tottenham supporters should not be disturbed by the comparisons between Ferreira and Mourinho, who has merely been his compatriot’s greatest reference level since he began his teaching enterprise.
Whereas Ferreira has beforehand admitted himself that he took three Mourinho books on his honeymoon to check the Particular One’s philosophy, he has sculpted his personal footballing concept – one which has achieved trend-bucking leads to Brazil.
He has since been eager to level out that it was Mourinho’s work with Porto and Chelsea (first stint) that basically ignited the fireplace inside.
“Our greatest reference is Mourinho,” Ferreira stated in 2021 on behalf of his teaching employees. “For me, he’s the highest reference for Portuguese coaches, for what he received and within the golf equipment he received with. It is one factor to win at huge golf equipment, one other to win at FC Porto, Chelsea.”
“After I bought married, I took three Mourinho books for my honeymoon. My spouse requested what I used to be going to do with the books. ‘There will likely be no time to check or learn,’ she stated [laughs].
“I used to be nonetheless a participant and I took them to seek out out why they talked about him a lot. Everybody talked about him and the FC Porto gamers stated he gave them confidence that made them really feel like Pele.”
Tottenham want a supervisor with key qualities, any individual that has a transparent imaginative and prescient, can develop younger gamers and work vibrantly inside a construction.
Ferreira ticks each field and is alleged to be accessible for a small launch clause, not too dissimilar to the one written into Arne Slot’s earlier Feyenoord deal (since signed an extension).
Ange Postecoglou, Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann are nonetheless believed to be potential choices in play but when they had been nicely down Tottenham’s unique wish-list, they need to now delve additional into options.
Simply because Ferreira works in Brazil, he should not be frowned upon. It is solely a matter of time earlier than he’s again teaching in Europe making waves.
It is the sort of courageous, left-field transfer that may create a quiet buzz and cautious optimism round north London following one other painful season. It is price a roll of the cube.