Spurs scout quits after he reveals club’s targets on TV
Vetere reveals club’s transfer targets on TV
TOTTEnHaM scout Jeff vetere has resigned after letting slip the club’s transfer targets live on television. vetere, 57, revealed on Colombian Tv that Kevin Mier, a 22-year-old goalkeeper at nacional, is one of Spurs’ top targets.
The club were astonished and vetere’s probationary period was reviewed, as he only joined them five months ago. Before the review had concluded, vetere resigned — with sources insisting that the unpopular Luton-born scout would have been told to leave anyway.
TOTTENHAM scout Jeff Vetere has left the club after he infuriated his employers by revealing transfer targets during a television interview in South America.
Sportsmail understands that Spurs chiefs were astounded when Vetere, formerly of Real Madrid and Newcastle, spoke about players he liked and those the club were watching.
He gave a sit- down interview with Win Sports TV during a scouting mission in Colombia and identified Kevin Mier, a 22-yearold goalkeeper with Nacional, as one of the club’s key targets.
Vetere’s conduct was deemed to be unprofessional by the Tottenham board, given he was openly discussing the inner workings of their recruitment department, and a formal meeting was called to review his probationary period. He only joined the club in September.
But before that process was finished, the 57-year- old resigned. Sources say he would have been told to leave anyway and his exit has been welcomed by many at Tottenham, who were not happy when sporting director Fabio Paratici appointed him.
Vetere had been out of work since being sacked as Birmingham City’s director of football in 2018, but his close relationship with Paratici saw him land a key role at Spurs. He arrived with a remit to restructure recruitment for emerging talent. However, it is claimed he ‘rubbed many people up the wrong way’ and was not popular among some existing staff members.
Spurs have seen the full interview he gave in Colombia. In a section of it, speaking about Mier, he said: ‘I see a goalkeeper who does not lack anything to cross the pond. We are looking because it is our task to see who the best youngsters are for international football. Taking advantage of my stay in Colombia, I took the opportunity to go there (Nacional) and meet a goalkeeper who is important to me.
‘I think he’s going to play for the national side soon. He has things, for me, they are not normal for a boy of his age. I was surprised by his confidence and his handling of the ball.’ Luton-born Vetere, who speaks several languages, came to prominence in 2008 when he joined Newcastle from Real Madrid as technical co-ordinator, a position he previously held at West Ham. He was later chief scout at Aston Villa under Gerrard Houllier but left after only three months to join Charlton.
His time at Newcastle was controversial and his presence, along with that of director of football Dennis Wise, contributed to Kevin Keegan quitting as boss following the signing of players he claimed to know nothing about. Keegan was later awarded £2million for constructive dismissal by an independent tribunal panel.
Meanwhile, Spurs are said to be restructuring their academy recruitment after Chris Perkins, emerging talent manager, quit to join Arsenal in January. n TOTTENHAM have announced a 15- year partnership with Formula One which will see a karting track constructed under their South Stand.