Pleat: My career is not over

David Pleat today admitted he was "disappointed" at losing his job at White Hart Lane but vowed to return to football. Pleat's departure looked certain after a disastrous run of results since the turn of the year while he was caretaker manager as Tottenham flirted with relegation.

He took over the temporary role after Glenn Hoddle was sacked last September and was given a vote of confidence by chairman Daniel Levy at December's EGM that he would return to his director of football role once a new manager was appointed.

But the club's fruitless search to fill that role left him further exposed and the fans turned against the 59-year-old as Spurs struggled.

Pleat said: "I have enjoyed working at the club and I wish everyone much success in the future.

"I particularly hope that the younger element can go on to major achievements. They represent an excellent foundation for the club. I am sure that Frank Arnesen will prove a most successful appointment.

"I am not going to say I will be smelling the roses. I have been a workaholic for years and I believe I have something to offer.

"I hope it will be taken up in time.

This has given me the chance to take a breather which is maybe something I need and some may say it is something I've earned."

Pleat admitted on BBC Radio 4 that the last few weeks of the season had been "getting difficult".

"We had to have a good look at everything," he said. "The chairman has had a major review and feels we need to go in a slightly different direction. I respect that decision and wish them well."

Asked who he thought might become manager, Pleat said: "There are greater pressures than ever but I am glad to say that question needs to be directed to the chairman.

"He will deal with it successfully in time. It is one decision that I am not involved with although I have been very close to everything that has gone on.

"I think they are closer (to an appointment) than they were. We had a setback during the season on the decision-making process but they are closer than they were."

That setback was clearly a reference to the on-off saga to appoint Giovanni Trapattoni. Spurs believed they had an agreement earlier this year with Italy's national coach to join the club on 1 July and wanted to announce it during January to put an end to the speculation.

But Trapattoni twice pulled out of talks over concerns that his wife would be homesick.

Levy paid tribute to Pleat for his work during his six-year association with the north London side, saying: "I should like to thank David for his contribution to our club over the years.

"I think it is too easy in the business of football to forget to give credit where it is due and David has brought young players to this club who have gone on to establish themselves in the first-team squad.

"This decision is the result of a major review and it would be wrong to align it simply to this last season when David took over as caretaker manager.

"Frank's knowledge of the international transfer market is excellent and no club can operate without that in today's market place.

"He has a proven track record of working successfully alongside some of the world's top managers. The appointment of our first-team management progresses as before and will be announced in due course."