Tottenham Hotspur gave their fans plenty of memorable moments in the 2010s under the likes of Harry Redknapp and Mauricio Pochettino.
Redknapp took the reins in 2008 and enjoyed four fruitful years at White Hart Lane, which included some memorable Champions League nights.
Rafael van der Vaart was one of the players Redknapp signed at Tottenham who became a fan favourite and cult hero.
Van der Vaart has now shared his honest opinion on what it was like to play for Spurs, comparing his spell there to some of his stints at other clubs.
The Dutchman also delivered his verdict on Redknapp, who signed him and managed him for two years at White Hart Lane.
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Rafael van der Vaart ‘had the best time at Tottenham’ and ‘really liked’ Harry Redknapp
The bulk of Van der Vaart’s playing career was spent at four clubs: Ajax, Hamburg, Real Madrid and Spurs.
Van der Vaart, speaking to talkSPORT, has said that he feels he had the best time at Spurs out of all the clubs he’s played for.
The 42-year-old also said he “really liked” playing under Redknapp as he gave him so much freedom on the pitch.
“I think you have different phases in your career,” Van der Vaart said.
“Of course, Ajax especially in the beginning. Then I moved to Hamburg and I had a great time.
“But when you look at team, quality, talent and potential … I think I had the best time at Tottenham.
“Also with Harry Redknapp of course, a coach that I really liked because he gave me so much freedom on the pitch.”
He added: “At the end, it’s the talent of the group and in my days, we had so much talent it was unbelievable.”
How Tottenham fared under Harry Redknapp
Redknapp took the Tottenham reins in October 2008, with the club then sitting bottom of the Premier League table, and steered them to eighth place on 51 points.
Spurs also reached the League Cup final that season, which they lost on penalties to Manchester United.
The following season, Redknapp steered Tottenham to a fourth-placed finish, which meant they had the chance to qualify for the Champions League.
The Lilywhites eliminated Swiss team Young Boys in the playoffs to reach the 2011/12 Champions League group stage.
Redknapp and his charges went all the way to the quarter-finals, only losing to Real Madrid.
That season, Spurs finished fifth to reach the Europa League, and the following year, Tottenham finished fourth once again.
Cruelly, Tottenham missed out on the Champions League because Chelsea – who finished fifth – won the 2011/12 tournament.
Spurs sacked Redknapp in June 2012, with BBC Sport reporting that he had failed to agree a new contract with Daniel Levy.
