Andre Villas-Boas has been assured that he will have money to spend this summer - even if Tottenham do not qualify for the Champions League.
The disappointing performance in a 1-0 win over Southampton led to much talk among fans about the need for reinforcements. Tottenham could do with a new striker, and recruits in midfield, while there is speculation that Villas-Boas is on the look out for a new left-back.
And it seems the Portuguese has been told he will have money to spend this summer regardless of where Spurs finish. Asked whether he would have different budgets depending on whether he achieved Champions League qualification, the Tottenham manager said: "No. At the moment our future must be analysed in only one direction."
He went on: "For us, the objective is always to improve the team and for that to happen either we have Champions League money to make it easier, or we have to invest and risk a bit more. But the objective is always to better what you did last season. We have to have one direction only."
Villas-Boas immediately turned his attention to Wednesday's crunch clash against Chelsea, and after his team's performance against Southampton, no one can blame him. Given that he was sacked after just nine months at the helm at Chelsea, Villas-Boas would be forgiven for wanting to settle an old score with his former employers on Wednesday night.
The Portuguese insists that is not the case, however.
"I'm not sure (what it will be like to go back)," said Villas-Boas, who also worked at Chelsea as part of Jose Mourinho's backroom staff.
"I'm not sure if enough time has passed for me to feel anything. I was just another manager that passed by. Obviously I spent three great years there when I was on the staff but when I was given more responsibility I wasn't given enough time.
"I have great friends who I don't want to undermine by what I am saying and the players gave everything for me. It's fine because sometimes the only option is for a manager to go and I have discussed this at length.
"It would be excellent if we got the three points. At the moment it means absolutely nothing; it's just another opponent in our quest to try to get the nine points that we have to play for."
Source: PA
