David Pleat leaves Tottenham after two decades association with the club as Spurs chief’s recruitment shake-up continues – with Daniel Levy hailing club icon’s ‘encyclopaedic knowledge’
- David Pleat has left Tottenham in a clear-out of old-style scouts at the team
- Pleat previously managed Spurs in several capacities during his time at the club
- Technical director Johan Lange is focused on a data-driven scouting strategy
David Pleat’s long association with Tottenham Hotspur has reached an end as the club’s technical director Johan Lange continues his purge on the old-style scouts.
Lange has now cleared out virtually all the ‘eyes-in-the-stand’ scouts from Spurs in favour of a recruitment strategy dominated by data and agents just as he did at Aston Villa.
Pleat, aged 79, has been employed as a consultant scout since 2010 and was key to the signing of Dele Alli from Milton Keynes Dons.
It will be the last of various roles in which he has served the North London club. He was appointed manager in 1986 and returned as director of football for more than six years, during which time he had three spells as caretaker boss.
His first involvement in a coaching capacity at the club in May, 1986, saw Pleat guide Spurs to a third place finish in the old First Division and an FA Cup final before leaving a year later.
David Pleat’s long association with Tottenham Hotspur has reached an end after he left the club
‘I should like to thank David for his contribution over so many years and in so many ways,’ said Spurs chairman Daniel Levy in a club statement.
He had, and continues to have, an encyclopaedic knowledge of the game and players.
‘I know he will continue to enjoy watching our games at all levels.’
‘He had, and continues to have, an encyclopaedic knowledge of the game and players.’
Pleat hailed his time at Spurs as a ‘huge part’ of his life in a short statement where he said farewell after his exit from the club was confirmed ahead of the new Premier League season.
“Football is my life and continues to be. Spurs has been a huge part of that. However the game and its methods change and it’s time for me to now step back from my scouting role,’ he said.
‘I look forward to watching the Club have great success in the coming years. I hope to continue my association with the game,’ added Pleat.
In May, Tottenham cleared out several other scouts including senior scout Ian Broomfield.
