Tanganga pays tribute to departing Spurs coach who will be missed in North London
Japhet Tanganga has waxed lyrical about departing academy chief John McDermott and claimed that he will be a huge miss for the North Londoners.
The club confirmed back in March that McDermott is leaving his role as Head of Academy Coaching and Player Development in June to take up a new position with the Football Association
Tanganga is one of several young talents who made the transition from the academy to the first-team under McDermott’s watch following in the footsteps of the likes of Harry Kane, Harry Winks, Ryan Mason, Andros Townsend and several others.
The announcement of McDermott’s departure has seen tributes pour in from the likes of Nabil Bentaleb, Tom Carroll and Mason, which points to how valued the 51-year-old’s work was in North London.
Tanganga has now opened up on the crucial role that McDermott played in his development.
Speaking to Football 365, the Spurs defender said: “I can’t even put into words how much he’s done for me.
“When I was younger, I maybe didn’t see it as beneficial as I see it now. But honestly looking back at what John has done for me is amazing.
“The effort he has put in for me, and not only with me but when I think of the effort he has put in with so many kids from the academy, across all age groups.”
The 21-year-old also insisted that McDermott will be sorely missed by the club after fifteen years at the helm of the Spurs academy.
Tanganga added: “It’s amazing. He definitely deserves all the accolades for what he has done in his career and at Tottenham.
“He’s done a lot for everyone and he is definitely going to be missed. We’ve had a very good journey together.
“We’ve made a lot of memories – some good, some bad! But honestly it’s been a pleasure to work under him and he’s truly going to be missed at Tottenham for sure.”
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One only needs to compare the Spurs academy’s track record of producing players before and after 2005 to see how much of a difference McDermott has made. While the structure he has put in place is going to continue helping the club produce top talents after he has left, there is no doubt that the 51-year-old will be sorely missed.
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