Tottenham are weighing up what to do after a newly appointed academy scout- a confessed Arsenal fan- sparked fury by joking about not wanting the Spurs badge to touch his skin, before properly starting life at the club.
Neros Coachman, a self-declared boyhood Arsenal supporter, recently joined Spurs in a Youth recruitment role. Within days, screenshots of his social media posts were making the rounds among fans.
In one image, Coachman posted a picture of himself in a Tottenham tracksuit beneath the club’s motto, “To Dare Is To Do,” telling followers he was excited to help bring through the “next set of superstars.” But it was what followed that raised eyebrows.
“You know the project’s good when you’re a boyhood Arsenal fan, and you switch sides,” he wrote.
When one user replied, “Do not let the badge touch your skin,” Coachman responded: “I’ve already got the base layer.’’ Another commenter joked about needing “someone on the inside.’’ and Coachman indulgently replied, “shhhhh”
The tone was seemingly humorous, but the internet, of course, never plays with things like this.
Spurs supporters quickly picked up the exchanges, many questioning whether someone so openly tied to their fiercest rivals should be representing the club at any level.
A snake emoji posted under one thread drew a laughing response from Coachman: “I know, I know, it’s deserved haha.”
Tottenham have made no public comment, but it is understood those inside the club were less than amused when the posts were brought to their attention. The matter is being handled internally, with senior figures said to be unimpressed at the optics.
Some Arsenal fans have brushed the episode off as harmless banter. At Tottenham, however, the badge tends to mean a little more than that, and even jokes can travel far.
Whether this escalates now depends on the club’s next move. But it is not the quiet start Coachman might have hoped for.
