Ex-Tottenham ace makes Daniel Levy remark he knows won't go down well

Daniel Levy cannot escape the news right now after his recent interview with Gary Neville at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The 63-year-old has cut a divisive figure in North London, with Spurs supporters holding protests against Levy's ownership.

During the interview, he spoke of his pride over the North London club's modern stadium as well as events at Chelsea.

Now, the Tottenham chief has come in for significant praise for the job he has done at Hotspur Way.

Andros Townsend heaps praise on Levy

Tottenham trophy winner Ramon Vega delivered a predictably damning verdict of Levy, although he has often been publicly vindictive of the 63-year-old.

Indeed, the narrative around the Spurs executive has often been negative, but such is the life of a football chairman.

Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew inadvertently blamed the club supremo for Ange Postecoglou's sack.

However, not all have been critical of Levy, and now Andros Townsend has spoken extremely highly of his former employer - although he accepts his comments may generate criticism from many.

Townsend was speaking live on talkSPORT (7 August, 7:35am) from Thailand, where he now plies his trade.

The former Crystal Palace man said: "I've said it before and I'm not afraid to say it. I'll get some stick, but I think he's the best chairman in the Premier League by far.

"Where he's taken Spurs from to where they are today, it's chalk and cheese. I remember 10 years ago, Spurs were a mid-table club, playing in front of 25,000, not generating enough funds to be able to compete at the top level.

"Brand new training ground, brand new stadium, and now season in, season out, they're competing at the top level.

"They're in the Champions League, they won obviously the Europa League, and they're considered a big-six side, whereas before it was the big four.

"And now Spurs have broken into that, not because of their achievements on the pitch, but what Daniel Levy has created."

Read more: Mourinho, Conte and European Super League – Levy’s most memorable Tottenham quotes

Is Townsend right about Levy's Tottenham reign?

It is a question that seems to be of constant debate, but has Levy done a good job at Hotspur Way?

Of course, there is no simple answer, as there are several key factors that must be considered.

Tottenham finished the 1999/00 Premier League season in 10th, with their most recent trophy the League Cup in 99.

Levy has been in charge of Spurs for 24 years, but during that same period, before his appointment, the Lilywhites were much more successful.

Indeed, the North London side lifted six trophies in that time, including two FA Cups, one UEFA Cup, and two League Cups.

• Spurs won six trophies in the 24 years before Levy's appointment
• They have won two in the same period since 2001
• The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been praised as one of the world's best arenas

However, Townsend is correct in terms of what has been done off the field, with an adored stadium and financial growth.

Depending on supporters' values, you will get different answers, but it is clear that the trophies have somewhat dried up.

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