Spurs return sees Freund live dream

Steffen Freund said the offer to become Tottenham’s assistant coach was too good to turn down, after returning to the club last week.

Freund spent five years at White Hart Lane as a player, and will assist new Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas in what he has described as a ‘dream’ job.

“That is what I said to everyone in Germany, to all my friends that my dream is to one day come back to Spurs. When Daniel Levy and Andre Villas-Boas call you, I think you have to ask to be released from your contract in order to rejoin Spurs,” he told SpursTV, after leaving his post in charge of Germany’s Under-16 side.

“It has all happened in just two weeks, I couldn’t say no. We spoke about my role, my situation. And, of course, Andre’s philosophy, and I already know the philosophy of Spurs.”

The 42-year-old has moved to London having left his role developing Germany’s youth, and Freund said many similarities can be drawn between the two jobs.

“The youth teams in Germany are exactly the same – strong with the ball, dominate games, and strong and solid without the ball,” he said.

“We spoke for maybe three hours, and the next day I was on holiday with my family when Andre called, it all changed overnight. I feel really happy.

“It was a special feeling (to be back at training) but it will be hard work for me now to see what has changed.

“We will move to a new academy, one of the best in Europe, to work with the young players. My role here is to work with Andre and the first team, but I also want to see the youth team.”

Freund has kept up to date with his former club and the Premier League, and said he will relish the chance to walk out at White Hart Lane once again.

“I know the qualities of the players from watching the Premier League at home, and the next few weeks will help me,” he said.

“It will be a special day (to return to White Hart Lane), it was my living room from 1999 to 2003. I am in the hall of fame already at such a fantastic club, and now I’m back as a coach. That was my dream when I started three years ago.”