I don’t think anyone embodies a cult status more than our enigmatic German enforcer. Over 100 appearances and not a goal to show for his trials and tribulations say it all. A rugged, hard working individual who lacked any real degree of quality; but lets be fair we love him all the same.
Freund typified an era of mediocrity for Spurs, and he shone out as a source of solidity amid our fragile footballing outfit. Infamous cries of ‘shooooot’ could be heard on most weekends, with our German midfielder notoriously told not to venture past the halfway line under George Graham.
To view the German as just a happy go lucky midfielder is an oversight, because Freund represents so much more than that. A genuine fan of the club who has on numerous occasions been spotted on the terraces, most famously wearing his Worthington Cup final top away at Manchester United one year.
Freund clearly loves the club and we love him in equal amounts. That is why Villas-Boas’ appointment of Freund as an assistant was so shrewd. I doubt he is the mastermind of the AVB blueprint, but you just cannot buy the kind of passion he has for our club. His celebration of a last minute winner against Lyon last term saw him nearly take out half of Remi Garde’s coaching team in the process.
One of the men rightly held in high regard by the Spurs faithful, I hope his relationship with the club will last for many years to come.
