Tottenham Coach Reveals Role of Andre Villas-Boas in Summer Signings

Tottenham Hotspur coach Les Ferdinand has revealed that most of the north London club's summer signings were suggestions made to former manager Andre Villas-Boas.

The Portuguese boss was sacked by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy after their 5-0 defeat against Liverpool at White Hart Lane. The club invested over £100m in the last summer transfer window in signing seven players.

Earlier reports suggested that Villas-Boas was not happy with four out of the Spurs's seven signings. The former Chelsea manager was not keen on the additions of Nacer Chadli, Vlad Chiriches, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela at White Hart Lane.

Rumours claim that Franco Baldini was heading the north London club's transfer business as the former Spurs manager was keen on bringing Joao Moutinho, David Villa and Hulk last summer.

However, Ferdinand admitted that Villas-Boas had agreed for the signings as he was happy with the summer arrivals at the club.

"Most of the signings were perhaps suggestions to him, but he agreed to those suggestions. The bottom line is he agreed to all of those signings," Ferdinand said, as quoted in Sky Sports.

"It wasn't a case that the players were brought in and he was told 'You have to make a team of these players', because if you're a manager and that happens, you're destined for the sack. From speaking to AVB, I understand he was happy that the players came to the club."

Ferdinand admitted that the White Hart Lane board had informed Villas-Boas that qualifying for the UEFA Champions League was a priority this season. The former Spurs legend insists the Spurs's new arrivals need time to adjust to the Premier League conditions and despite that a top four finish was a priority for the management.

The Spurs finished fifth last season and lost the final Champions League spot to their arch-rivals Arsenal.

"We lost Gareth Bale and spent over £100m pounds. When you spend that kind of money you forget the fact that they need to settle in," Spurs coach explained.

"Most players that come into the Premier League need about six months to a year for them to settle in - six months if they hit the ground running. But in all honesty, the management and the people above were all saying that qualifying for the Champions League was a minimum."