Newly appointed Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn has opened up on his move to North London, the conversations he's had with Daniel Levy and the need for them to become a consistent force in the WSL.
The Lilywhites endured a tough campaign in 2022/23 that saw a previous manager Rehanne Skinner sacked in March after nine straight defeats. She was replaced by interim Vicky Jepson, before the permanent appointment of Vilahamn was made at the end of the season.
Spurs just about steered themselves to safety, largely due to the goal contributions of January signing and new club captain Bethany England. Vilahamn's arrival over the summer marks a new era at the club and one that hopes to see them progress up the table this term.
READ MORE: How to order your copy of our new monthly special Women's Football News
READ MORE: Tottenham Hotspur Women appoint Vicky Jepson in new role bolstering the WSL side
Vilahamn will have to navigate the start of the new season without the assistance of England, who underwent shoulder surgery shortly after the culmination of the Women's World Cup.
Nevertheless, Vilahamn harbours aspirations to shift the team away from its reliance on the Lioness and instil a consistent playing philosophy shared by the whole club.
"You look two years ago they [Tottenham] were finishing fifth," Vilahamn told the media ahead of the new season. "I think- perhaps they didn't play the best football but they finished fifth. But I think that was a little bit tricked, that they were better than they were, or players had a really good season and other teams had a bad season.
"I think we need to be consistent and do that for a few years before you show that you are a top team. And to do that I think you need to have a good ground, a good identity, how you play, you need to have those players who can stay for a few years.
"I think last year they started to lose and they started to change formations and players and they got injuries. When you do that, you lose your identity. We're starting from the ground and it's going to take perhaps two years but I'm going to take the time because I know in the long run you're going to win games."
Club chairman Levy played a significant role in Vilahamn's arrival at the club.
"My last interview was with Daniel Levy and it was mainly about making sure the women's team is something we are proud of, a team that everybody can come and watch, that's Tottenham standard," the Spurs boss added.
"Now it's [Chief Football Officer] Scott Munn and [Head of Global Football Development] Andy Rogers and it's one club now, I can really feel that, I have meetings with the academy coach, I have meetings with Scott and Ange and everybody wants the same stuff.
"Everybody wants to take it from the same ground and take it step by step. I hope we can make results quickly and if not, I hope we can see the longer perspective as well."
Vilahamn added: "Daniel Levy is a real good businessman, right? We need to start creating an environment where we have a good balance in the women's team and if you look at what men's football has done for the last 30 years is make sure you have a return on investment.
"That's the most important thing in the women's football, make sure you have a longer contract with young players and if Barcelona want to buy the player, we can get the money we need to reinvest. We did it in Hacken and now I'm stuck because I cannot buy the players from Hacken because they want so much money for them!
"So I've already done that in Hacken and now I'm going to try to do that in Tottenham, but that's what you need to do and that's the way you keep players and develop them. Of course, you can develop a 38-year-old as well, but you don't have the investment for five years, you have the investment for one year. And that's still fine but if you have young ones for a longer time, you can also develop them for the next level."
