SOME Tottenham fans would sooner name their kids Bukayo, Arsene or Thierry than praise Daniel Levy.But others must be feeling a little conflicted about the man so many love to hate right now.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has played a big part in this season’s successCredit: Getty
Things have changed so much in N17 that the calamitous end to last season, when Antonio Conte metaphorically set fire to the place on his way out, feels like a lifetime ago.
But during those dark days it was Levy who was the target, with some justification, of the supporters’ ire via relentless taunts, match after match.
They had had enough of the perceived lack of investment in the team, historically at least, increased ticket prices and silverware famine during his 23-year reign – and they wanted him out.
How might they feel now, though, with Spurs suddenly looking like one of the most upwardly-mobile, sustainable and easy-on-the-eye clubs in the Premier League?
Read More on Football
There will be those that refuse to give Levy a shred of credit under any circumstances.
They would argue he stumbled onto the jackpot that is Ange Postecoglou, who they see as single-handedly reversing their fortunes.
The Aussie has undoubtedly been the critical factor in the transformation, and it is true that other candidates were pursued, such as Julian Nagelsmann and Arne Slot.
But ultimately Levy got it right by appointing Postecoglou, which may look an easy choice now but at the time it looked risky.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
The 58-year-old had not managed in any of Europe’s major leagues. Other owners would not have taken the leap, even with the treble at Celtic.
Postecoglou himself told journalists in a plush Perth hotel during Tottenham’s pre-season tour of Australia in July how he had been rejected by multiple Championship and Premier League clubs previously.
Even Huddersfield were one of them – albeit back in 2019 – and the gruff boss likened his failed meetings with prospective English employers to that of a depressing set of Hollywood auditions.
Now Postecoglou, by his own admission, has Spurs in a title race – and playing the kind of football that even the most ardent Arsenal fans would admit is thrilling.
Levy took part in a fans’ forum in September and owned up to his mistakes in hiring ill-fitting, “trophy managers” like Jose Mourinho and Conte.
He said he felt a lot of “pressure” after those misfires and needed to appoint someone who could take the club “back to its roots” of playing sexy football, even if it took longer to achieve success.
Postecoglou has proved to be that man, masterminding Spurs into a position few could have dreamt of at that stage – and has been backed by Levy in the process.
KEY SIGNINGS
It was the Aussie who pushed for unknown goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario – dubbed this week as the Premier League signing of the season by Robbie Keane – and he got him early.
James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Brennan Johnson were all signed for considerable fees – even if the first two now look like huge bargains.
Yes, Harry Kane was sold and there will be some fans who will never sway from the opinion that you should never sell your greatest-ever player.
Flogging him to the relatively inoffensive Bayern Munich for £104million, given he was going for free in a year’s time, was probably the most palatable exit going.
Spurs had not signed a player before January 12 in the winter window since the forgettable capture of Bongani Khumalo in 2011. This year, they signed two.
In fairness, that was more due to how gettable Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin were at the time.
Werner was out of favour at RB Leipzig and Genoa were happy to do a quick deal for Dragusin, though Spurs would have held on for longer for the Romanian as Postecoglou wanted him so much.
But Levy still bucked a personal trend and signed them up quickly.
Keeping scandal-hit Fabio Paratici on as a consultant after his resignation in April was controversial – but some will say worth it given his transfer prowess, as cynical as that is.
Those close to Levy have noticed no particular difference in his demeanour this season.
His poker face remains inscrutable whether things are going swimmingly or desperately.
He continues to split his time at the training ground and the Spurs’ Lilywhite House office by the stadium in the same way as he did last season.
And he treats Postecoglou in the same way as he did Conte, Mourinho and all the other bosses he has hired and fired over the years.
In the age of clubs being owned by countries and hedge funds, he represents more of an old-school owner.
And one whose consistent belief in self-sustainability, however annoying it may be to fans, is proving to be the correct call given the Prem’s new-found regulatory teeth.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Levy claimed at that fans’ forum that “I want to win as much as anyone else”; those close to him emphasise how much he cares. Some fans may never be convinced that he does.
But to deny Levy has played some part in Spurs’ success story this season would be as short-sighted as it is to deny his failings in the past.
Levy’s gamble to sign Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has paid offCredit: Rex
Levy is also moving fast in January by signing Timo Werner for TottenhamCredit: Getty
Tottenham also beat Bayern Munich for Radu Dragusin’s signatureCredit: Rex More
