Santini vows to overhaul Spurs

Jacques Santini today pledged to rebuild Tottenham.

The Frenchman was unveiled as the new manager at White Hart Lane today along with the club's sporting director Frank Arnesen and assistant Martin Jol.

Santini said one of his priorities would be to ask unsettled Portuguese striker Helder Postiga to stay.

The Spurs manager said preseason would be vital for the club as they attempt to inspire the supporters disappointed by a season in which the team finished 14th in Premiership.

The former France coach, who spoke in stilted English, is set to make big changes to the playing staff.

He said: "The club have released three or four top players and we are in a rebuilding process. My main aim is to be ready for the challenge of the new season but there will be other players coming here."

While Santini is determined to make signings, he will give some unsettled players a chance, including Postiga.

The striker, who scored against England in Euro 2004, was left out in the cold by caretaker manager David Pleat last season and said he will leave if he fails to get regular first-team football.

Santini said: "We will speak to Postiga and all the other international players when they return to the club. Frank and I will sit down with Helder and the others and if he and they want to stay then it will be a big pleasure for me."

Santini also confirmed coach Chris Hughton would be staying adding: "The start of season will be very important for us. We have new objectives and we need to make sure we are ready for the start of this championship.

"I am looking forward to working with the players over the next five weeks."

Chairman Daniel Levy revealed that Sergei Rebrov is still a Spurs player following the end of the striker's loan spell at Fenerbache.