Tottenham takeover ‘masterplan’ an absolute car crash amid Qatar and Levy update
Tottenham fans have maintained much of their collective stance of hostility on ENIC and Daniel Levy for many years.
For an increasing length of time Spurs supporters from all over the world have joined forces to attempt to hound their chairman out, but to no avail – many believe it could only take a massively established takeover bid before any exit is considered.
Several groups have of course exhibited their interest in consulting with Levy over a takeover down the years, but it has never looked remotely like materialising as fans continue to voice their discontent with a regime they believe are scalping the most loyal backbone of the Lilywhites’ ambitions for success.
Tottenham takeover interest from Qatar involves Levy controversy
Tottenham have been the subject of intrigue for consortiums from Qatar in the past. In 2023, Qatari Sports Investment (QSI) – owners of Paris Saint-Germain – held an interest in purchasing a minority share in Spurs with chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi maintaining a “close relationship” with Levy (BBC Sport, 14 February).
While this exploration was never advanced upon, The Guardian this week reported (12 February) that an alternative group of potential Qatari buyers could look to take over Tottenham, but would incredibly keep Levy in charge of business operations – which would be a disastrous PR move for the Spurs support-base.
This unnamed group’s relationship with Levy and the Spurs board is so far unconfirmed, but it is likely the Spurs chief already has a contact book full of links to the Middle East via his already-established network, including QSI.
Riath Al-Samarrai sarcastically fired at Spurs on page 93 of the Mail on Sunday (16 February) that this consortium’s “masterplan” to keep Levy might as well be followed up by building a Tony Adams statue on High Road and installing the much-maligned ex-Tottenham man Sol Campbell as the team’s manager.
And that comment typifies the kind of reaction any move like that would receive. It is surely a non-starter. Levy would become a pariah in the eyes of supporters, and the ownership would be walking into an apocalypse of protest.
Tottenham make undeniably excellent profits, and Levy is the driving force – that cannot be debated. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire describes Spurs as a “superb cash-making machine”, but it comes at a severe sporting culture cost for fans who have seen their club lift just one trophy throughout the 24 years Levy has been involved in N17.
The new multi-purpose glamour of the stadium and all it brings; the eye-watering matchday prices; the ruthless financial decisions which have directly affected supporters including season ticket rises and phasing out of senior concessions. They can all be filed under decisions which have been met with protest, alongside accusations fired at Levy from anonymous club insiders who believe he has influences around him incompatible with football fans.
Spurs are looked after by Levy, but the fans are left to dry
From the outside, it could be easy to glance at disgruntled Tottenham fans and point out that the grass is not always greener on the other side.
While that’s true, it’s also greener where you water it, and Levy’s Tottenham watering can has always been spread over maximising revenue with a lack of success on the pitch arriving as a by-product.
For instance, less than 43 per cent of Spurs’ annual revenue goes on wages. By contrast, QSI’s PSG spend 83 per cent annually in this area (Deloitte Money League).
Fans want to see exciting players walk through the door, a manager who gets the best out of their team, and ultimately a trophy cabinet which justifies being included in the media-driven “big six” – not just their glitzy stadium and ruthless face of the board in Levy.
If and when Levy finally departs Tottenham, the righteous will claim Spurs fans didn’t know what they had if things in the short-term start to nosedive further. However, these same supporters want a fresh start.
A new ownership that keeps Levy in post is certainly not a fresh start. It cannot be allowed to happen, can it? If you’ve got enough money, it’s always possible.