Former Tottenham chairman Lord Sugar has branded the current squad 'useless' and declared that the 'whole bloody team should be fired' when discussing their performances this season.
Lord Sugar has delivered his assessment of the Tottenham Hotspur campaign so far this season - and suggests he would treat the players in the same manner as candidates on his programme The Apprentice. Sugar served as majority owner and chairman of the club between 1991 and 2001, before disposing of his remaining stake in 2007.
Nevertheless, he continues to support Spurs and follows their fixtures on television even whilst residing in Florida for portions of the year. Lord Sugar was questioned about their season following their defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup and inconsistent Premier League performances that have placed manager Thomas Frank under scrutiny.
When asked whether Frank should be 'fired' like someone on his BBC programme, Lord Sugar responded: "I have no comment really about that poor sod. I mean, I think the whole bloody team should be fired.
"They're useless. Bloody useless. And, you know, they're getting close to the relegation zone. And it'd be interesting to see what the new management [ownership] is going to do. Because, as you know, Daniel Levy has left.
"So it's now in the hands of Joe Lewis, who's a multi billionaire, and he needs to start throwing some money, some real money at it to get the top players. And if he throws more money at it, they'll do well, I guess.
"Seems to be the only way that all these clubs do, is buy players for £100million each, or something."
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Lord Sugar discussed Spurs with The Mirror at the official launch of The Apprentice anniversary series. The programme marks 20 years on air this year.
He has penned a deal that will keep the business reality show broadcasting for a further three years as it commemorates its 20th milestone.
When questioned whether the programme keeps him feeling youthful, Sugar remarked: "Part of the contract is the BBC has got to provide me with an electronic Zimmer frame! I mean, three years takes me to about 82, I suppose, the time I'm finished, but I'll carry on as long as the BBC want me to and I will know personally when it's time for me to kind of hang up my finger, if you know what I mean.
"As the footballers say, they hang up their boots, hang up my finger or something. I'm happy about it. I'm a very fit person."
The 20th series of The Apprentice debuts later this week featuring an expanded group of 20 fresh candidates eager to impress Lord Sugar and secure his £250,000 investment. It begins dramatically as the participants - including Lord Sugar himself - travel for a task in Hong Kong.
However, Lord Sugar acknowledged the opening episode encounters difficulties. He stated: "Having spent a fortune flying 20 people out to Hong Kong, not to mention 20 production people and myself, yeah it was disappointing."
He revealed the candidates received a dressing down from him 'in technicolour' but this was cut from the episode with a watered-down version broadcast instead. The BBC programme will also witness the candidates tackling a range of demanding challenges including producing a children's book, presenting live television sales, and organising a corporate retreat on the Red Sea in El Gouna, Egypt.
Adviser Baroness Brady remarks: "They're full of energy. They weren't very nervous. Some are a bit overconfident. There's a real mix of personalities.
"Everyone always asks me, do you know who the winner is when they walk into the boardroom? And of course we don't, because we don't know what they're capable of just yet. That comes out in the process.
"It's such a great show, it's such an honour and a privilege to be involved. I've always said I'll be doing it as long as Alan's doing it. Not more, not less. So it's really great to be a part of it. It's a great show. I think it's incredible to think we've reached the 20th series. That's a real milestone for any television show.
Brady continued: "And I think it speaks volumes about the strength of The Apprentice as a format and as a brand, two decades on, it's still entertaining, it's still competitive, and actually it's still as relevant as ever. And I think the show's evolved with the times. The business world has changed massively since series one, and the show has changed with it, we've got more entrepreneurial candidates, they're more digitally savvy, they are more aware of social impact and innovation.
"So I'm incredibly proud of what the show has achieved. It's not just about great TV, but it's launched real businesses with real success stories. I think we've helped shine a light on ambition, hard work, and resilience, qualities that are more important now than ever before."
