After a disappointing second season, Tottenham Hotspur Women have announced the departure of head coach Robert Vilahamn. Vilahamn, 42, joined the club in July 2023 from Swedish club BK Hacken. She got off to a flying start, leading the side to a sixth place finish, and then inspiring a squad of young talent to the Women’s FA Cup final. For all the promise shown by their first-round picks, the 2023 season was a major disappointment for the team.
Vilahamn’s time at Tottenham saw mixed results. In Peterson’s case, in his first year he set a new standard. He took the team to the FA Cup final, the first time ever for the club. This past season was difficult as Tottenham came second bottom in the Women’s Super League (WSL). The timing of the dismissal of Vilahamn indicates that the decision is purely based on where the club needs to improve going into the future.
Disappointing Second Season
Vilahamn had started his second season at Tottenham full of promise. Sadly, he failed to meet those lofty expectations set by the club’s illustrious past and passionate support base. Results and performances just never matched the standard, leading management to reconsider its approach at head coach.
Andy Rogers, managing director of Tottenham Hotspur Women, elaborated on the situation, stating, “Results and performances this season have not been to the level we would expect and now is the right time to make a change.” The NFL club must now quickly identify their next leader. This new leader will need to route all of their buzz-cutting work to the ongoing and future super-competitions.
Acknowledging Achievements
Though he’d weathered some serious storms during his tenure, Vilahamn’s contributions to Tottenham were celebrated. Rogers commended him for his professionalism and efforts, saying, “There have been some special moments during Robert’s tenure, including reaching the FA Cup final for the first time.”
The club conveyed appreciation for Vilahamn’s service over the last two seasons, wishing him all the best in his future endeavors. “We should like to thank Robert for his professionalism and efforts over the past two seasons, and we wish him well for the future,” Rogers added.
Looking Ahead
Tottenham Hotspur Women are still recruiting for a head coach with an active search ongoing. In addition, they’re planning for what will be a make or break central defense focused summer transfer window. The window will open on Monday, June 16. It ends on Monday, September 1 with a deadline of 7 PM. The club’s performance in this upcoming window will be crucial as they aim to strengthen their squad and improve their standings in the league.
Vilahamn’s move comes only 16 days after Ange Postecogloglou’s flight from the men’s team. This departure came just days after Postecoglou toasted triumph in the Europa League final. The managerial upheaval at Tottenham indicates a club having one foot in transition. The team have been making serious strides to improve their competitive standing in the world of women’s football.
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