Here are some key points on what he had to say…
On how his summer was and how the performance camp is going…
“I had a small break at the start and then we were just staying on top of planning in terms of making sure we are ready that when we come in, we could hit the ground running. All the new players were comfortable in what they needed, staff were aware of what we were doing in preseason and then in Spain for our training camp. We've been here three or four days, a good change of scenery for the group which definitely helps in terms of from a cultural perspective, building connections and relationships. We've had a good game against Granada and we’ve got another good game against Real Madrid tomorrow.”
On his key takeaways from the Granada game and what to expect from Real Madrid…
“For me, personally, from the game, you knew that there was going to be some disjointment because there's going to be areas we need to be better. The (intended) outcome was to push us physically, and we did. Secondly, it was then to make sure that we built some relationships and some cohesion on the pitch with some of the offensive work, and we've really tried to push when we're attacking the rest of the defense behind the ball and trying to limit in terms of transition, but also trying to suffocate the opponent when the ball turns over in terms of counter-pressure, which I thought was really good within the game. Our high pressure was good on our regains and we just tried to add a few different elements to how we played last year to make it a bit more unpredictable. But, overall, I thought it was a really good run out, good first pre-season game and good for us to get some minutes into some of the players. The same against Real Madrid and hopefully we can build on that performance.”
On how facing Real Madrid can push the team’s ambition for the new season…
“It gives the players a different reference and it gives us a reference of where we sit within European football which I think is important. So, when you're coming up against these players, the playing culture and the style of play is different from these teams, so there might be times where we have to accept and suffer without the ball because these teams will dominate at times and that'll enable us to work on certain aspects we want to away from the ball. But, also, it'll enable these players to understand references within Europe and we can really benchmark of where we're at compared to where we want to be and if you want to be a top team, you have to play against these teams to see where you're at. I'm looking forward to it.”
On the challenges Real Madrid will pose, especially in their attacking frontline…
“We know the capability of the players that they've brought in. They've brought in some really strong, especially dynamic and quick forwards. Seeing some of their games recently against Crystal Palace, their front line is very dangerous not just from open play but, in terms of in transition from set play and transition from opposition possession. So we know they're going to be dangerous, they possess the ball really well, they've added some really key signings to their squad. For us to be able to go and play against some really top players will give our players the benchmark of where we're at individually and collectively, but to come up against a team like Real Madrid is not something you don't get all the time and I think it's a really nice opportunity for our players to play against some of these.”
On the six new additions to the squad…
“We felt we needed more strength and depth, which we said, and some more different characteristics in certain positions that give us different profiles, which enable us to attack, defend and play in different ways. We knew the competition (Women’s Super League) was going to grow, so you play four extra games in the league, and you play a totally different format in the Players Cup now with six games, not three. So, the added games know that you need to have more depth to your squad. We wanted to make sure that the right players, with the right personalities, the right character, were brought in. Plus, some really good people and some really good players at the same time that were wanted not just by us, but wanted by a lot of teams within England and Europe. We've been very, very selective in terms of the type of player we wanted. We've got some real world-class talent in the team now. Players with a lot of growth and talent with high potential. We've just got to help them fulfil that. As we know, it's always challenging in the transfer window, but we managed to get the business done early and the players chose to come to Tottenham because they believe in what we're doing.”
On whether he expects anymore business this summer…
“The club have been very supportive in what they've allowed us to do. They've been very supportive in making sure the squad can evolve and we can be a team that's spoken about in the right way for what we're trying to do. I think if anything comes up in the market that we feel that will add value to the squad, then we would look at it. But I think we've done some really good business at the moment. I'm really happy where the squad is at and the players we've got in. You don't want to make too many changes to your squad, where you lose the connection element on the pitch. But I think the people we've brought in have settled in well.”
On whether the squad can compete for the top four in the WSL…
“I think we come into every season wanting to be competitive, to build on a strategy that we've set out which I think we're well in line with and we're well moving forward really well with. Our ambitions are to win and to make sure we're successful, not just in the WSL, but also in the cup competitions as well as qualifying for Europe. We should be competing at the top part of that table to make sure that silverware, whether that's a cup competition or a league, that they're coming back to Tottenham Hotspur, coming back to the training ground and coming back to the Stadium. We make Tottenham a team that's not just spoken about amongst a small group of teams, it's spoken about amongst everyone and I think now with the progress we had last year and the things we've done in terms of the small progress we've made, I think people spoke about us and started to respect us more. But, with having that respect, you have to maintain that. I have no doubt that this playing group want to win, they want to succeed, they want to achieve things, they want to win domestic and club competitions, and I have to make sure I set them up to do that.”
On what supporters could notice differently about his team this term…
“A sharper, more dynamic, more forward thinking team. But the same kind of mindset around defensive and attractive football, that can be really entertaining for people to watch but also a team that's fully committed off the ball, who wants to be organised, committed, wants to be front footed, wants to take the game to the opponent, whether we're home or away and we play with absolutely no fear. And I think that definitely aligns and resonates with the club in terms of how they see it and the fans should be excited for the talented players we have and the journey we're on now. We're talking about where we're going and what we're building, not just on the pitch but off it from a commercial perspective, but also from a profile of this club and we've been fortunate enough now and now at this moment over in Spain where Rafi (Moersen) and the leadership are over here with us and they're coming out and supporting us as a team, and I think that shows huge growth for us as a club.”
On having Academy players on performance camp and helping them come through…
“I think everyone knows that my philosophy and the club's philosophy and the ethos of the Club is to develop their own talent and their own players through the pathway of the club, through the Academy. We've now made sure that the Academy is very aligned in terms of what we do and we've got a really, really strong Academy, in my opinion, at Under-16s andUnder-19s now, and the under-14s group coming through too will give us that platform over the future years to develop our own talent. But we have some with us now who are training with us, we've got three away with us now. So, develop opportunities to be around a group and see what it's like as a professional in this environment. As I've always said, if you're good enough, you're old enough. The age is just a number for those players and I'm not afraid to give anyone a chance.”
On different group of players building strong relationships with each other – on and off the pitch…
“I would expect a lot of our players to learn from one another more. I've definitely seen a really cohesive group and just before we started with this press conference now, there's a group of them playing board games and card games together in the lobby and within that group I think there were nine different nationalities playing games together and that tells you a lot. A huge group of people, a huge group of players. People have only been with us maybe three weeks but the ability of this group and these individuals on a personal level to be able to connect, understand one another and bring each other together is important.”
On has he chosen the captain for the 2026/27 season…
“I want to be really diligent with making that decision, it's not just a captain who represents the team, they represent the Club and those characteristics are important, they live and breathe what this club is about. They have the same values as what this Club needs and deserves and then they role model those behaviours to the players, because I think that's vastly important. They don't just represent themselves, they represent club, team, community, they represent everyone related to Tottenham and that's a really important decision. I said that when I got to this camp, in the middle of the camp, I would make a decision, and I've made that decision, but I'm not going to say it yet because that will be announced in the coming days and there will be a captains group that will lead the team into the new season.”
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