P45 for Pleat as Spurs huntfor manager
Some would-be candidates for the team-manager's job had expressed concern at working with Pleat.
But chairman Daniel Levy can now pursue his main targets to run the north London side next season with Celtic's Martin O'Neill and Charlton's Alan Curbishley among leading contenders.
But the new team boss could well come from abroad. Italy's veteran national squad coach Giovanni Trapattoni, Spurs' initial number one choice until contract talks stalled, has indicated he would still be prepared to take the job after Euro 2004.
And Carlos Queiroz looks certain to be dismissed as Real Madrid coach after four successive defeats.
Claudio Ranieri could also come into the reckoning if, as expected, Chelsea oust him and appoint Jose Mourinho once the latter has steered FC Porto through the Champions League final against AS Monaco on May 26.
Ranieri is a close friend of Trapattoni, 65, who revealed this week that his wife Paola's reluctance to leave Milan was a large factor in his decision not to accept Tottenham's offer up to now.
Despite reports it is believed Spurs have not yet given up on O'Neill, either.
Pleat's exit would appear to also rule out Raddy Antic, the former Real Madrid and Celta Vigo coach who played for Pleat at Luton in the 80s.
Spurs announced today that Pleat will step down from his current role and his board position at the end of July and, on July 1, Arnesen would be joining from PSV Eindhoven, where he is currently technical director.
The 47-year-old former Danish international 52 caps, 14 goals - will also have responsibility for scouting and youth development at Spurs.
He joins Tottenham after 19 years at PSV in Holland where he finished his playing career and worked alongside Sir Bobby Robson for two seasons.
"Frank's knowledge of the international transfer market is excellent and no club can operate without that in today's market place," said Levy.
"He has a proven track record of working successfully alongside some of the worlds top managers.
Fluent in five languages, Arnesen has worked closely with other coaches, including Dick Advocaat, the current Dutch national coach, and most recently with Guus Hiddink voted world coach of the year for 2002 when he steered South Korea to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
He brought a whole host of players to PSV who went on to perform at the highest level including Bolo Zenden (Middlesbrough and Chelsea), Jaap Stam and Arjen Robben, Chelsea's new signing.
He was also credited by Robson with the discovery and signings of Brazil star Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
His first target for Spurs could be Holland midfielder Mark van Bommel who has been trailed by the club since the start of the season but was reportedly then rejected because of high wage demands.
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