Tottenham Hotspur Women are making headlines once again, and this time it's all about recognition at the highest level. The Barclays Women's Super League (WSL) has announced its Manager of the Season shortlist, and Spurs head coach Martin Ho has earned a well-deserved spot among the final three candidates.
Ho finds himself in elite company, nominated alongside Manchester City manager Andrée Jeglertz—who led City to dethrone Chelsea's six-year WSL title streak—and Arsenal's Renée Slegers. But for Spurs fans, this nomination feels especially sweet. In just one season at the helm, Ho has completely transformed the club's fortunes.
After stints managing Norwegian side Brann and serving as an assistant coach at Manchester United Women, Ho inherited a Spurs team that narrowly avoided relegation last season. Fast forward to now, and he's guided them to fifth place in the WSL table—right behind the established "Big Four" and earning the title of "Best of the Rest." And if you ask Ho, this is only the beginning. He's made no secret of his ambition to break into that top tier, targeting not just Champions League qualification but future WSL titles.
While Jeglertz's nomination was expected given City's historic title win, some fans might raise an eyebrow at the exclusion of Brighton's Dario Vidosic. The Seagulls have been on fire lately, with impressive results including an FA Cup quarterfinal win over Arsenal, a home victory against Manchester City, and back-to-back draws with Arsenal and Manchester United. Still, the shortlist is set, and Ho's impact is undeniable.
But the good news doesn't stop there. Spurs Women midfielder Olivia Holdt has also been nominated for WSL Player of the Season, joining a star-studded list that includes the likes of Khadija Shaw, Alessia Russo, and Jess Park. Holdt has been nothing short of sensational this campaign, and while we may have joked that she's the best player in world football, her performances have made that claim feel less like hyperbole and more like a statement of fact.
As the season winds down, these nominations are a testament to the incredible progress at Tottenham Hotspur Women. Whether Ho or Holdt take home the honors, one thing is clear: Spurs are building something special.