- David Pleat has left Tottenham following a clear-out of the team’s old scouts
- Pleat previously managed Spurs in various roles during his time at the club
- Technical director Johan Lange focuses on a data-driven scouting strategy
David Pleat’s long association with Tottenham Hotspur has come to an end as the club’s technical director Johan Lange continues to purge its old-school scouts.
Lange has now ousted virtually all of Spurs’ ‘eyes-in-the-stand’ scouts in favour of a recruitment strategy dominated by data and agents, much as he did at Aston Villa.
Pleat, 79, has been working as a scout since 2010 and played a key role in the arrival of Dele Alli from Milton Keynes Dons.
It will be the last of several roles in which he has served the north London club, having been appointed manager in 1986 and returning as director of football for over six years, during which time he had three spells as caretaker boss.
His first involvement as a manager with the club came in May 1986, with Pleat leading Spurs to a third-place finish in the old First Division and an FA Cup final before leaving a year later.
David Pleat’s long association with Tottenham Hotspur has come to an end after he left the club
“I would like to thank David for his contribution over so many years and in so many ways,” Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said in a statement released by the club.
He had, and still has, an encyclopedic knowledge of the game and its players.
“I know he will continue to enjoy our matches at all levels.”
“He had, and still has, an encyclopedic knowledge of the game and its players.”
Pleat called his time at Spurs a “huge part” of his life in a short statement saying goodbye after his departure from the club was confirmed ahead of the new Premier League season.
“Football is my life and it will always be that way. Spurs have been a huge part of that. But the game and the methods are changing and it’s time for me to step back from my scouting role now,” he said.
“I look forward to seeing the club achieve great success in the years to come. I hope to continue my connection with the game,” Pleat added.
In May, Tottenham axed several other scouts, including senior scout Ian Broomfield.