You know, being the manager of Tottenham Hotspur is basically like being a chef in a kitchen where the customers demand Michelin-star food, but half the time, the stove is on fire. It's a weird, high-pressure gig. People talk about the "Spurs DNA" or the "Glory Glory" days, but if you actually look at the full list of Tottenham Hotspur managers, it’s a chaotic journey from Victorian pioneers to modern-day tactical obsessives.
Honestly, most fans think the history of the club starts with Bill Nicholson and ends with the latest guy Daniel Levy hired. That's just not true.
The Guys You Probably Forgot
Before the suits and the stadiums, there was Frank Brettell. He was the first. 1898. Basically a different world. He didn't stay long—just a year—before John Cameron took over. Cameron was a bit of a legend, really. He was a player-manager who guided Spurs to an FA Cup win in 1901. Back then, they weren't even in the Football League. They were "non-league" winners. It’s the kind of underdog story that would be a Netflix doc today.
📖 Related: Matt Campbell: What Really Happened at Iowa State
Then you've got Peter McWilliam. The man had two spells. He’s the one who really started the tradition of "attacking" football. If you like the way Spurs play when they’re actually good, you can thank him. He won the FA Cup in 1921. But then, things got a bit rocky for a few decades.
Bill Nicholson: The Unreachable Standard
If you’re talking about the list of Tottenham Hotspur managers, you have to stop at Bill Nick. He’s the "Mr. Tottenham" everyone measures themselves against.
He took over in 1958. His first game? They beat Everton 10-4. Ten goals! Can you imagine that now? He won eight major trophies. The Double in 1961—League and FA Cup. No one had done that in the 20th century until he did. He won the UEFA Cup. He won the Cup Winners' Cup. He was a scout, a player, a coach. He lived and breathed the club.
"It is better to fail aiming high than to succeed aiming low."
That’s his most famous quote. It’s basically the Spurs motto, for better or worse. Every manager since has been living in that massive shadow.
The Modern Era and the Levy Carousel
Fast forward to the Premier League era, and the list of Tottenham Hotspur managers starts to look like a revolving door. Since Daniel Levy took over as chairman in 2001, the club has seen a lot of faces.
✨ Don't miss: Northern Arizona Men’s Basketball: What Most People Get Wrong
Glenn Hoddle was the hero who returned home but couldn't quite make it work. Martin Jol was the big Dutchman who finally made Spurs feel "big" again, finishing 5th twice in a row. You’ve probably heard of the "Lasagnegate" season where they missed out on the Champions League because everyone got food poisoning. Typical Spurs luck, right?
Then came Harry Redknapp. "Arry." He was a character. He took them from the bottom of the league to the Champions League quarter-finals. Bale, Modric, Van der Vaart—that team was pure joy. But then he left, and we had the Andre Villas-Boas and Tim Sherwood era.
Sherwood actually has one of the best win percentages on the list of Tottenham Hotspur managers, believe it or not. He wasn't there long, but he won 59% of his games.
The Pochettino Peak and the Fallout
Mauricio Pochettino changed the culture. He didn't win a trophy, which people still hold against him, but he took them to a Champions League final in 2019. He made them title contenders. He turned Harry Kane into a superstar.
When he was sacked, Levy went for the "serial winners." José Mourinho and Antonio Conte. On paper, it made sense. These guys win trophies everywhere. But at Spurs? It was a disaster of dour football and public meltdowns. Conte’s final press conference where he blasted the "selfish players" is basically etched into Premier League history now.
Where Are We Now?
More recently, we saw the Ange Postecoglou era. It was "Angeball"—high lines, no fear, total madness. He actually ended the 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League in 2025, beating Manchester United in the final. But strangely, he was gone shortly after because the league form fell off a cliff, finishing 17th.
Now, Thomas Frank is the name on everyone’s lips after joining in 2025. It’s a constant cycle of hope and "Spursy" moments.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Historians
If you’re trying to keep track of this history, don't just look at the trophies. Look at the win percentages and the "style."
- Win Percentage Isn't Everything: Tim Sherwood (59%) and Frank Brettell (65%) have high percentages but didn't leave the legacy that someone like Pochettino did.
- The 10-Year Rule: Historically, Spurs' best managers (Nicholson, McWilliam, Keith Burkinshaw) stayed for a long time. The "quick fix" managers like Mourinho rarely work in N17.
- Check the Records: If you're a stat nerd, always look for "permanent" vs "caretaker" managers. David Pleat, for instance, had four different stints at the club.
The list of Tottenham Hotspur managers is more than just names; it’s a reflection of a club that is constantly trying to find its identity between being a "big club" and being an "entertaining" one.
To really understand the club today, you should go back and watch clips of Arthur Rowe’s "Push and Run" team from the 1950s. It’s where the whole philosophy started. Knowing where you’ve been is the only way to figure out why the current manager is doing what they’re doing.