Former Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle says Andre Villas-Boas appointment is a gamble

Andre Villas-Boas has been linked to the managerial vacancy at Roma (Getty Images)

Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle believes his former club have taken a gamble by appointing Andre Villas-Boas.

The 34-year-old former Chelsea boss penned a three-year deal to succeed Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane today.

Villas-Boas will be hoping to rebuild his reputation with the north Londoners after a torrid spell at Stamford Bridge, which saw him sacked in March.

Four months on, the Portuguese is back in the Barclays Premier League with Spurs - something that has taken aback former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Hoddle.

"I'm surprised, I did not think that is the way Spurs would go," he told ESPN.

"It's more than a slight risk because of the way things didn't work out at Chelsea.

"I thought it might have been better for him to go and reinvent himself elsewhere before he had another crack at English football."

Hoddle also bemoaned Redknapp's needless departure from the club, although urged everybody involved with the club to get behind Villas-Boas.

"Hiring Villas-Boas is a decision that maybe shouldn't have needed to be made," he added.

"They were in a position with Harry, where if they just added two or three more players and spent a bit of money, they could have really kicked on.

"It would probably have been better to add to the squad, rather than making a decision that may result in players wanting to leave.

"However, the decision has been made and it's a key moment for Tottenham. Everyone at Spurs has to get behind him and hope that everything goes well."

PA