Jurgen Klinsmann backs Tottenham to qualify for Champions League and make title push

Posted Wednesday, January 04, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

Former Tottenham striker Jurgen Klinsmann believes his old club deserve Champions League qualification this season, and has backed it to challenge for the Premier League title.

The 47-year-old, who enjoyed two spells at White Hart Lane, praised the efforts of current Spurs boss Harry Redknapp and club chairman Daniel Levy, for the way they have turned the club's fortunes around.

“They're a club that really deserves to be in the top four and this year there might even be a little bit more possible with a bit of luck,” Klinsmann told Reuters.

“The squad is now strong enough to compete in the Champions League. It has been a process. The owners had patience. They knew it would take time and they gave Harry Redknapp the time. They built this and worked on it together.

“They've developed a lot of stability and consistency over the last few years with Harry and now you see that coming through. Their squad is very, very good, especially the bench.

“Redknapp has a lot of authority and the owners let him do the job. From the stability a team has developed that can really compete.

“It's fun to watch because they're an entertaining side. Tottenham is and always was about entertainment. They want to have a blast, they want to move forward. It's just fun to see.”

Klinsmann first moved to White Hart Lane in 1994 from Monaco, before leaving to join Bayern Munich a year later, but returned once again in 1997 briefly on loan.

He added: “Tottenham is a way of life and I didn't know that until I got there. I signed my first contract and thought, "It's cool to be in London". And then after two weeks I said to myself 'Oh my gosh, what is this here?'

“The supporters are very special. They live and breathe for that club. You go to White Hart Lane and there are 36,000 people singing. It's not just one section. It's the whole stadium singing. You go there and think 'Wow'.”

Klinsmann, who is the current coach of the US national team, also gave his opinion on Thierry Henry’s expected return to Arsenal on loan.

“Absolutely he would make a valuable contribution no matter if he's on the field or not because his experience will help a lot of players," he said. “It's possible that he might be more viable to [Arsene Wenger] off the field than on the field. Maybe he doesn't want to have him as the front man to score the goals.

“Maybe he'll say he wants him to calm down the team, to read the pace of the game, or maybe educate some of the younger players off the field. Henry has so much in his portfolio. Maybe he can make a difference without even being on the field.”