The Mabbutt Interview: An SC Exclusive

[bertievogts]

Brilliant stuff, what an absolute legend and gentleman. Very much one of my heroes as a kid - as much as I loved Gazza, I think I knew from an early age that Mabbutt was better role model material! I like this bit:

GM: My official role is Club Ambassador. The club has two ambassadors, myself and Osvaldo Ardiles. Ossie does a lot of North and South America and I take Asia and Africa and we share Europe.

I just like the idea of Gary and Ossie standing over a globe and dividing it up, spreading the good word.

 

[Bill_Oddie]

A fantastic read, great interview!

Interest in Cahill and Drogba confirmed as well by someone from the club.
Can't believe though that in the 7 years in SA we have only acquired Bongani.

I've come to realise that it's more unbelievable that in truth we got one player.

The chances of producing talent through these academies is okay, but only really in the long term. Mabbs mentioned that it's great that the club has backed this as a long term project but it really is remarkable.

We're spending a not insignificant sum on these all over the world. The one here in Malaysia has Spurs coaches (genuinely from the club) on the ground, it is based regularly at the school and then in the school holidays, the opportunity opens up for kids from around the country. The best of them, along with those who choose to pay for the privilege, get the chance to be flown over to the UK to train at Spurs Lodge, again under Spurs coaches.

This isn't just a chance for the kids to have a jolly but the standards of coaching are exceptionally high, they play 'proper' football, and they are taught about growing up to be responsible, successful individuals. If you think that's a big deal for any kid, imagine Malaysians literally from the villages and rural areas. This academy is a huge deal.

As Mabbutt says, it's not really about producing players for the first team squad. That's what they used to be in the 80s/90s and they failed. Clubs would give the kids a tracksuit and a one-off training session then bugger off. Spurs are all over this (as they are in the academies in South Africa and the forthcoming ones in China and elsewhere in the world). The hope is that kids grow and link Spurs with good things and success in their life. We expect to be able to help improve standards of football in the Malaysian league, the same way we've helped improve the South African league. We hope to even produce national team players, and constantly improve and develop them. And obviously this is a generational thing. Twenty, thirty years from now, Spurs should be looking around the world at a Malaysia Vs Taiwan World Cup Qualifier and seeing half a dozen players on either side from our academy. Likewise, we can develop The Tottenham Way from Kuala Lumpur to Cape Town to Costa Rica. It really is extra-ordinary. And I would guess that an academy such as the one in Malaysia may well be a big investment but surely no more than a month's wages for a player like Jermaine Jenas. And the fans we are cultivating is worth that alone.

And if, one day, we find a first team player from one of these academies then so much the better. And if we sell them for a few million it will have bankrolled the whole shebang.

 

[Azrael]

What a load of crap.

Spoiler

I jest of course.....

 

[louisg]

Thanks so much for that Bill, really great read

 

[TutanKlinsmann]

Great player. A player that I always remember. Should send my 2 sons in the KL academy.

 

[Bobbins]

Brilliant interview with a truly great human being. I absolutely bloody love Gary Mabbutt.

 

[Caboose]

Fantastic article BO, most enjoyable read!

As a Spurs fan from Bristol I'm so proud of Gary, but I'm even more proud as a football fan that he was a part of the game and is still a very strong member of football. A true gent!

 

[nailsy]

Great read BO.

 

[JamieDaCosta]

If only there were more of his ilk, although I think his ''ilk'' is a thing of the past