Two years later in February 1898, he was appointed manager of Tottenham Hotspur, and took up the post on 14 March 1898 soon after the club had been converted into a Public limited company.

[1][3] He signed a number of players from Bolton Wanderers and other northern clubs, including John Cameron from Everton who took over as manager of Spurs after Bretell left.

[4] It would be another two years before he took up his final managerial role when Brettell was invited to build a professional team for Plymouth Argyle in 1903, an offer which he accepted.

[5] Having been able to call upon twenty-eight years of experience as a football administrator and manager, he succeeded in his task and led the club into the Southern League for the 1903–04 season.

[6] Brettell left the club at the end of his second season in charge and wouldn't manage a professional team again, but his place in English football history was assured.