Robert Vilahamn showcased his composure ahead of the Women's FA Cup Final, highlighting how Tottenham Hotspur are 'one club' this weekend.
The Swedish manager has undergone an impressive transformation at the club, in line with the ideas of the board at Spurs. Ange Postecoglou has a similar style of football, whilst the academy teams are also playing high-pressing and attacking football. According to Vilahamn, it's because they want to be one club.
"We want to be one club. We want to have one fanbase. We want to make sure that our fans see us as one club with two teams, and when they watch our play, they can see the same identity and feel like they are part of those two teams, not only one team," he said.
"I know there's a lot of fans coming over to the women's side, and in the future, I hope we don't pick and choose from men's and women's sides. We have Tottenham fans who want to watch Tottenham play football, and that's why I think it's good to think they have one identity."
Vilahamn, 41, has focused on "taking steps" this season with Tottenham, which has seen the club rise from a team sitting perilously at the bottom last campaign to now competing at Wembley.
However, the steps have been walked — and now it is his job to get his players to perform on the biggest stage there is. Spurs go into the contest as underdogs, but there is still belief they can bring a first-ever major trophy home.
"They [Man Utd] are favourites for this game, because they have been near the top of the women's game for a while. On the other hand, they are not a top three [team] anymore. We played a good game against them and we showed we can compete," he said.
It was only three weeks ago that they drew 2-2 with this weekend's opponents, denied of an impressive victory by a Maya Le Tissier header in stoppage time.
All of the senior goalkeepers on the men's team went to visit the team on Thursday to wish them luck. "It was a nice gesture," according to Vilahamn, who also confirmed everyone is fit to play.
-
Vilahamn ready to use experience in the squad
During Spurs' run to the final, they have epitomised the idea of 'never say die'. Against Sheffield United in the opening round, they came from 2-0 down to 3-2.
A 96th-minute chip from Rosella Ayane sealed victory. Against Charlton, it took a long-range individual strike from Kit Graham to progress, whilst latter matches against Manchester City and Leicester City required extra time.
It's not been an easy ride for Spurs, but that has only helped their belief going into the final.
"I think you can see a strength in the character of the players, but it's also part of the environment we want to create," he answered.
"One of the four keywords in our environment is to be present and to handle setbacks. It shows a character where you can stay present and keep focusing on what you're doing and turn the game around, not by luck, but by playing good football and keeping to the plan."
"I think that's what you can see in this squad — and that's why we do yoga. It's why we work with our minds and bodies to make sure we can handle it."
Alongside the experience built from the cup run, Spurs also have a handful of players who have experienced an FA Cup final. Becky Spencer was Birmingham's hero in 2012 during the penalty shootout, whilst Bethany England symbolises the idea of a 'perfect captain'.
Vilahamn is glad to have players whom he can trust to bring experience.
"I started the first morning meeting this week by asking the players 'who's been in the final, and won the final, like, what's your best advice for this group'," he said.
"They said the same stuff; to keep focusing on the same way we do it, don't overthink anything, just keep the process this week, and go into this game in a normal way.
"I think for the other players to hear that and understand that they have done these trips before, they spoke about how they've done the first game, second game, and so on, I think that's helped the team to prepare."
-
VAR set to be used this weekend
This weekend will see VAR used in the women's game, having been previously implemented at last season's FA Cup Final and the Continental Cup Final this campaign.
Premier League referee David Coote is in control of it on Sunday, with Natalie Aspinall as his assistant. Vilahamn has never taken charge of a match with the technology in it — and he won't decide his opinion on it until afterwards.
"No, I've never experienced it as a coach. We had a meeting this week so we know a little bit more about how they use it. Some of our players have used it in the World Cup as well. The main thing is it's coming everywhere. For me, when I watch games, sometimes it is boring because it slows down the tempo," he stated.
"In one way, it makes the game correct. I think I need to explore it and experience it before I have my feelings, but - right now - I need to adapt to the way we're going to use it on Sunday. It's here to stay; I just hope we can improve it so we don't slow down the game. That's the most important thing for me."
