Tottenham Hotspur and Pep Guardiola

The sacking of Harry Redknapp has as expected raised more questions at Tottenham than it answered.

Andre Villas-Boas is the sudden favourite, with punters backing off Everton's David Moyes. After the Portuguese manager's failure with Chelsea last season it would be very much a gamble by Levy.

Supporters want a sure thing, a route to guaranteed success. So it is no wonder the name which crops up among the most optimistic of Spurs fans is Pep Guardiola.

The ex-Barcelona boss won 14 trophies in four years with the Spanish giants, double the amount Tottenham's rivals Arsenal have won in their entire reign under Arsene Wenger. No wonder Tottenham would want him.

Former player Micky Hazard told Talksport on Wednesday that he should be Tottenham's number one choice, adding 'sometimes dreams can come true.'

Delusional? That would be harsh, over-optimistic? Yes.

There are reasons to think that a club like Tottenham may appeal to the Spaniard, the tradition of passing, attacking football, the challenge of winning a team's first league title in more than 40 years, the talented playing staff in the ranks at present, including Gareth Bale.

But the situation is best summed up by a debate on an article on HITC Sport earlier this week, written by a Tottenham fan. 'Has to be Pep, If we dont at least try and get him we have already failed' to which a more pragmatic supporter riposted 'I'd like to go out with Cameron Diaz ideally, but thats not gonna happen either.' 

Both points are valid, Tottenham would be silly not to enquire. If you don't ask, you don't get, and aiming high is the right way to go.

Roberto Martinez of Wigan is another name linked, at completely the opposite end of the scale. No disrespect to the Latics boss but Spurs need a proven winner. Anything less than fourth will be considered a step backwards, and a man for who finishing 15th in the Premier League is considered success will not inspire the confidence or stability Spurs require.

He will have the same problem as David Moyes - concern over attracting star names. Tottenham need to aim high, and Guardiola is a benchmark if not a realistic ambition.

Villas-Boas may also be a shaky choice, but the egos at Tottenham would not present half the problems they did at Chelsea, and he is a man with a point to prove, and also a Europa League winning boss.

Rafa Benitez and Fabio Capello are strong candidates, they may not offer the free-flowing football supporters crave, but Benitez came within two points of winning the league - did so is Spain with Valencia- their first in 31 years, and Capello is of course a title winner in two countries. Spurs fans may just have to sacrifice attractive football for success, but across London few Chelsea fans are complaining at Di Matteo grinding out a Champions League win with back-to-the wall jobs.

Aim for the sky, and Spurs might just break through the ceiling, Guardiola should be the inspiration and a reminder of what Spurs want to achieve, rather than setting their sights lower on a boss who finished below Harry Redknapp in the league this season - and they might just stumble on a winning formula halfway in between.

Spurs fans shouldn't be called deluded or ridiculed for wanting Guardiola, just ambitious for the club they love.

Who do you want as next Tottenham boss?

image: © tpower1978