Martin Ho is hoping the experience from his last two years will make for a special return to the Barclays Women’s Super League this term.
Joining us after two impressive years with Norwegian side SK Brann last week to become our new Head Coach, his spell in Norway came after a number of years in the WSL, first with Everton as an assistant manager, between 2015-2018, before three years with Manchester United as an assistant coach, which included an appearance in the FA Cup Final in 2023.
Now back in England’s top flight, he will guide us into our seventh successive season in the WSL and acknowledges the growth of the league in recent seasons.
“My time I have spent in this league, and the clubs I’ve been at, it has given me a good understanding,” he said.
“I know the league has taken steps while I have been away for the last two years, but I’ve been watching with a close eye.
“Now coming back with more experience as a Head Coach, more knowledge, more understanding, hopefully I can bring that into the team and to the Club to take the right steps.”
Just six months into his tenure as Head Coach at Brann, he created history in the Women’s Champions League by guiding the Norwegian side to the group stage of the competition for the first time, becoming the first representative from Norway to do so. Later they reached the quarter-final before eventually losing to three-time winners Barcelona.
Having also faced eight-time winners Lyon in the group stage, where they earned an impressive draw at home, Martin spoke to us about how much he learned from his exposure to Europe’s elite competition.
“When you play the likes of Lyon and Barcelona, the pedigree and individual capacity that those players have, who are world stars and role models to a lot of players… It was incredible for me as a coach to stand on the touchline and see that first-hand, but also to come up against some of the best coaches like Jonatan [Giraldez] and Sonia [Bompastor], where they’ve been renowned for bringing success to those teams in European football,” he added.
“That gives me the motivation and the edge to want to be better. Now I’m here at Spurs, hopefully we can take that experience and energy into the Club here.”
Watch | Martin Ho's first interview