The Frenchman, whose two-year reign as France's national coach ended with a 1-0 defeat by Greece in the Euro 2004 quarter-finals, was introduced to the media with the club's new sporting director Frank Arnesen and assistant coach Martin Jol.
While the new "continental" structure put in place by chairman Daniel Levy is designed to share the burden of reviving the under-achieving club's fortunes, Santini knows, as head coach, he will be in the firing line if results do not come.
Wary of comparisons with nearby Arsenal where compatriot Arsene Wenger has landed three league titles, he said: "This is a big challenge because the premier league is perhaps the best championship in Europe.
"Tottenham are a big club with some talented players but we are in a rebuilding process."
Arnesen, who is credited with discovering Brazil striker Ronaldo while at PSV Eindhoven, is also relishing getting down to business.
"I'm delighted to be here and I'm delighted to have Jacques here because he is a great coach," said the Dane, who played against Tottenham for Anderlecht in the 1984 UEFA Cup final.
"The fans have been frustrated here for a while now and it's our challenge to win them over.
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Asked about his role, which includes responsibility for identifying new players, Arnesen said he had no "new Ronaldos" up his sleeve.
"Even my blind grandmother could tell he was going to be a great player. It wasn't a question of scouting him. You have to be in the right place at the right time and then work with the player, sometimes it goes well, other times not so well.
"We have got a talented young squad here. There is room to bring in players but we will only be signing players who can take us up to the next level."
