A controversial figure within our support in more recent times due largely to his antics when signing for Spurs and THAT match, Gus remains a flamboyant part of our recent history of success, scoring and creating some spectacular goals in his time.
Initially assistant to Denis Wise at Swindon Town, Gus’s experiences in coaching were very positive with Swindon’s progress in a short period of time winning he and Wise a move to Leeds United (spit) at the request of Ken Bates. Considering he was ex Chelsea, Gus was remarkably popular with the Elland Road rabble and his star continued to rise, so much so that within a year he had been selected as the ex-player coaching talent to assist Juande’ Ramos and become an integral part of the new Spurs management structure. Initially things continued to progress, to the extent where Poyet was being strongly linked with taking on the Newcastle United manager’s position – at the time seen as somewhat unstable and a poisoned chalice – but rejecting the opportunity in favour of being No.2 at Spurs.
Ramos and Poyet were sacked by Spurs 4 days short of a full year in the role, having won a League Cup against a side managed by some form of Middle Earth dungeon dweller. A period of punditry has followed, in which time he has repeatedly reaffirmed his feelings for Chelsea and its fans but there are still many bridges to build.
In the meantime however Gus joins the ranks of ex-Chelsea players in management and we at BlueTinted wish him all the best in re-creating some of the sporadic success seen in the last 12 months by Gianfranco Zola, Roberto Di Matteo and Dan Petrescue in ‘The Race to Be Next Chelsea Manager’ as we’d all love to think of it.
The Brighton job is no glittering throne, a club divided by Stadium plans, lack of investment in the squad as a result and a poor current playing staff means he’ll be taking on a hell of a job. But the jump from there to a Championship position is reasonably small, as shown by Robbie D in recent times so let’s hope to see Poyet closer to the top in the next 18 months.