Levy’s Confidence in Future Recognition
Tottenham Hotspur’s chairman, Daniel Levy, expressed confidence that he will gain recognition from fans for his contributions once he steps down from his role. Throughout his tenure, Levy has faced criticism from supporters, primarily due to the club’s lack of silverware and the disappointment following near-title challenges in 2016 and 2017, as well as reaching the 2019 Champions League final. The team’s alarming 17th-place finish last season, a record low for the Premier League era, was somewhat alleviated by their Europa League triumph, marking the first trophy the club secured since 2008.
Fan Frustration and Managerial Changes
Ange Postecoglou, the former head coach, who was dismissed shortly after the Europa League victory against Manchester United in Bilbao, seemed to escape the worst of the fans’ ire during the team’s decline, with many supporters directing their frustrations towards Levy instead.
In an interview on Gary Neville’s podcast, “The Overlap,” Levy remarked, “In retrospect, I believe people will recognize my contributions when I’m no longer around. The emergence of this magnificent stadium and the fact that other clubs are emulating our model suggests we have done something noteworthy.”
The New Stadium and Future Ambitions
Tottenham transitioned to their new 60,000-seat stadium, situated on the former grounds of White Hart Lane, in 2019. It soon gained accolades as one of Europe’s premier sports facilities, regularly hosting NFL games and major concerts. However, the lingering disappointment regarding the club’s inability to challenge for further trophies continues to weigh heavily on Levy.
“Our ambitions have not wavered,” Levy stated regarding the team’s struggle for success. “After winning the Europa League—thanks to Ange—we felt a sense of achievement, but it’s far from sufficient. Our history shows we’ve reached numerous semi-finals and finals yet have not clinched enough victories. We need to leverage our past experiences as motivation for success moving forward.” He added, “It is perplexing why we haven’t won more trophies. I do not select or motivate the team myself.”
Looking Ahead
Following Postecoglou’s departure, former Brentford head coach Thomas Frank took over in June and will lead Spurs in his first competitive match against Burnley at home on August 16. He will face a challenge exceptional since the club’s key player, Son Heung-Min, will depart this summer after receiving a heartfelt farewell during a recent match against Newcastle in South Korea.
Furthermore, Levy cautioned fans against setting unrealistic expectations for their new manager, emphasizing that understanding takes time.
“He knows the style of play we aspire to achieve and recognizes that significant change does not happen overnight. We haven’t mandated him to win the league this year; our objective is to compete effectively at the highest echelons of the sport. We remain committed to supporting him fully, as evidenced by our substantial investment in players—almost £700 million ($930 million) net since the stadium’s inauguration, ranking us among the top spenders in the Premier League.”
