Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp sacked the club’s goalkeeping coach Hans Leitert yesterday after a series of costly mistakes by Heurelho Gomes.
Brazilian keeper Gomes has made several high-profile errors since his pre-season move from PSV Eindhoven, and Saturday’s latest gaffe in Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat at Fulham proved the final straw for Redknapp.
Leitert, 35, had been working closely with Gomes since the Austrian was hired by Redknapp’s predecessor Juande Ramos, and paid the price for the keeper’s dismal form.
A statement on Tottenham’s Web site confirmed: “We should like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well. An announcement regarding a new appointment will be made in due course.”
While Redknapp lost faith with Leitert, he still believes Gomes can put his nightmare start to life at Tottenham behind him.
Redknapp could bring in Spanish veteran Cesar Sanchez or youngster Ben Alnwick, who has returned from a loan spell at Carlisle, but the Tottenham boss is likely to give Gomes a chance for redemption at home to Blackburn on Sunday.
“He’s our No.1 goalkeeper so he’s got to do the job — we’re relying on him heavily,” Redknapp said. “I believe in him and we have to believe in him.”
“Obviously he is disappointed with the weekend but his record tells you he is a world-class goalkeeper,” he said.
“He has to bounce back from that and turn in a terrific performance this weekend. I’m sure he’ll do that. He’s a strong character. It’s up to him now,” Redknapp said.
Gomes may feaure this weekend, but Luka Modric will be missing after Tottenham confirmed the Croatian playmaker is out for two weeks with a groin injury.
Modric suffered the problem at Fulham and was taken off at half-time.
“An MRI scan has revealed that Luka Modric has suffered a partially torn groin muscle,” a statement on Tottenham’s Web site read.
“He was forced off with the injury at half-time in Saturday’s match with Fulham and is expected to be sidelined for up to two weeks,” it read.
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