Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has hit back at criticism of his leadership, defending his record in a rare, wide-ranging interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap. Now in his 25th year at the club, Levy says his contributions have been underappreciated — and that history will eventually vindicate him.
“I think it’s one of those situations – when I’m not here, I’m sure I’ll get the credit,” he said.
Levy pointed to the £1 billion Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as his proudest accomplishment, describing it as a symbol of Spurs’ global ambition and a major boost to the local economy.
“This stadium is my greatest achievement, and I’m not doing it again,” he said. “Other clubs are trying to copy what we’re doing – that says something.”
Postecoglou’s Exit: Success in Europe, Struggles at Home
Despite winning the Europa League in May – Spurs’ first trophy in 17 years – Ange Postecoglou was dismissed just over two weeks later. Levy insists the decision wasn’t taken lightly.
“Ange just won us a trophy – and he’ll always be in our history. But we also finished 17th, lost 22 league games. That can’t be ignored,” Levy said. “It was emotional, but we had to look at the data. We need to win on all fronts – and the Premier League says it all.”
The board unanimously backed the decision, according to Levy, who emphasized that it wasn’t based on sentiment or a single achievement.
Enter Thomas Frank
Levy confirmed that former Brentford boss Thomas Frank was chosen as Postecoglou’s replacement after a collective evaluation by the club’s board and technical staff.
“When we appointed Thomas, several people were involved. I was just one of them,” Levy said. “We always listen to our technical team.”
On Criticism and Interference Allegations
Responding to long-standing accusations that he meddles in football decisions, Levy was adamant that he stays in his lane.
“It’s completely unfair. I don’t decide which player plays or who we buy. That’s down to the coach and technical staff. My role is to negotiate the deals once the decisions are made,” he said.
Levy insisted his involvement mirrors that of other executives across top clubs.
Looking Ahead
With a new manager at the helm and a clear message from the top, Spurs appear to be entering yet another transitional phase. Levy’s comments suggest he’s still focused on the long game — even if not everyone’s convinced just yet.