Toby Alderweireld has put himself forward for a remarkable comeback at Tottenham Hotspur, offering to help steer the club back on course. The former defender, who was a Champions League finalist with Spurs in 2019, has watched the north London club's dramatic decline this season, which has plunged them into a relegation battle.
Alderweireld hung up his boots last year but has made clear to Spurs that he is willing to return in a non-playing capacity should they require his assistance. Speaking to The Athletic, the 37-year-old said: "If Tottenham need help, I'm there, why not? I think the other guys would feel the same. We had a wonderful team at that time, that was our strength.
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"If I think about Sonny, Harry Kane, myself, Jan Vertonghen, they were down-to-earth people, good guys. They always put the club number one. Those are the people you want in your club."
Alderweireld pointed to his formative years at Ajax, where club legends occupied positions of authority and helped preserve the culture of the Dutch giants. He explained: "I always liked the clubs that have players who played there, who know the culture and what it is to play for the badge.
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"When I was at Ajax, there was Marc Overmars, Edwin van der Sar, Johan Cruyff, Dennis Bergkamp, Frank de Boer all in positions, and it helps to have those people in the club - players who achieved things and who are 100 per cent for the club."
Such a position would represent Alderweireld's first role within football. Since retiring after a three-year spell with Royal Antwerp, the former defender has channelled his energy into running his own spirits company and delivering business talks to audiences of more than a thousand people.
The Belgian was a firm favourite during his six-year tenure in north London. With two matches remaining in a torrid season for Spurs, the club can secure their Premier League survival with victory against Chelsea on Tuesday night.
The side are currently enjoying a four-match unbeaten run under Roberto De Zerbi, who confirmed on Monday that goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is back in contention after recovering from hernia surgery. The Italian stressed that he expects to see the "right spirit, character and courage" as the season enters its final week.