Credit: Imago

Alex Charlton

Mon 4 August 2025 9:07, UK

Daniel Levy has cut a controversial figure during his 24-year tenure at Tottenham.

The 63-year-old has overseen some memorable moments from Spurs’ Europa League triumph to their League Cup win over Chelsea.

However, Levy has often been criticised by Tottenham supporters for a lack of investment in the playing squad.

The Englishman has not been afraid to speak publicly and has made some memorable quotes during his stint.

Levy on European Super League

Tottenham agreed to join the original European Super League in 2021, along with five other English clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea.

The news was met with fury by supporters, as well as warnings from governing bodies and even the prime minister at the time, Boris Johnson.

Within 48 hours, all six English teams withdrew from the ESL, with fines paid for their actions.

Levy responded to the events via The Standard (21 April 2021): “We regret the anxiety and upset caused by the ESL proposal.”

A Super League is still a possibility in the future, but given the opposition and legal barriers, it remains unlikely.

Levy criticises rival spending amid lack of Tottenham investment

Tottenham signed Mohammed Kudus for £55million this summer, highlighting that Levy may be changing his approach in North London.

However, in the past, supporters have been left frustrated and have held protests due to a lack of investment in the playing squad.

In 2017, clubs like Chelsea, Man City, and Man United spent significantly, and Spurs’ chairman spoke openly about it via The Guardian (25 July 2025).

Levy said: “My view is that it’s totally unsustainable.”

“I’m not sure if that’s the view of the other Premier League clubs, but certainly the prices that are being paid for other Premier League players, I can’t see it being sustainable in the long term. We’ve managed the club, we think, in a very appropriate way.”

Spurs’ chairman admits Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho mistakes

Levy has employed some of the leading names in management, with Conte and Mourinho at the top of that list.

However, despite their imperious records in the game, neither were able to deliver a trophy in North London.

In the end, it was Ange Postecoglou who delivered the prize and was ironically sacked after doing so.

Speaking in a 90-minute fans’ forum at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2023, Levy was asked what he learned from the appointments of Conte and Mourinho.

As reported by Football.London (20 September 2023), he said: “Maybe you’ll be surprised by my answer but I want to win as much as everybody else.

“But the frustration of not winning and the pressure from maybe some players and from a large element of the fanbase, that we need to win, we need to spend money, we need to have a big manager, we need to have a big name, it affected me.

“We did it twice and look you have to learn from your mistakes. They’re great managers but maybe not for this club.”

• Levy was keen to join the European Super League
• He has been critical of other clubs’ spending amid a lack of Tottenham investment
• Levy voiced his regret over appointing Conte and Mourinho

Some chairman are criticised for their lack of transparency, and some avoid public speaking entirely.

However, nobody can fault Tottenham’s chairman for speaking honestly during his time in North London.

Now, supporters will want more deals to be completed to supplement the signing of Kudus and co.

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