Tottenham made a promising start under Jacques Santini and looked to be challenging for a place in Europe, but Santini resigned in November after only 12 games, citing personal reasons. He was replaced by his assistant coach Martin Jol, whose first match in charge saw arch-rivals Arsenal win a thrilling North London derby 5–4. Following the derby defeat results picked up and Tottenham were soon back amongst the race for a UEFA Cup spot, but a draw with Blackburn Rovers on the last day of the season saw their slim European hopes dashed. Nonetheless, good cup runs and the resurgence in the league under Jol gave Spurs fans hopes of a greater push for European football the next season.[3]
Players
First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^Tottenham completed the signing of Ziegler on 20 July, intending him to remain with Grasshopper until the conclusion of the Swiss league season in January, but decided to bring forward his signing to August.
^Kanouté was born in Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon, France, and has represented them at U-21 level, but also qualified to represent Mali internationally and made his international debut for Mali in January 2004.
^El Hamdaoui was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and represented them at U-21 level, but also qualified to represent Morocco internationally and made his international debut for Morocco in February 2009.
^Edson was born in São Vicente, Cape Verde, but also qualified to represent Portugal internationally and represented them at U-20 level.
^Bakari was born in Paris, France, but also qualified to represent the Ivory Coast internationally and made his international debut for Ivory Coast in 2003.