TOTTENHAM chairman Daniel Levy has spoken publicly about Tottenham’s 15-year wait for a trophy, Harry Kane’s future, and feeling “sick” at Arsenal’s success.
The Spurs chairman has been in charge of the North London club since 2001, overseeing much change.
ReutersDaniel Levy has been Tottenham chairman for 22 years[/caption]
Harry Kane’s future remains up in the air ahead of the summer transfer windowGetty
YouTube / Cambridge UnionLevy was speaking at Cambridge University[/caption]
He has appointed 11 permanent managers, built a new state-of-the-art stadium, and watched the club enjoy success such as claiming the League Cup in 2008, finishing second in the Premier League in 2017, and reaching the Champions League final in 2019.
But Spurs fans are crying out for some long-overdue silverware as they continue to wait for a first trophy since that League Cup triumph.
And that search has been made more unbearable by rivals Arsenal‘s title challenge this season.
But Levy, 61, has stressed the importance of perspective and remembering where the club has come from.
Speaking at the Cambridge Union, he said: “When we first came in to Tottenham, winning was making sure we stayed in the Premier League.
“As time goes on and when get more successful it was about getting into Europa League and then the Champions League. Obviously the ultimate goal is to win the trophies. That is clearly what we are trying to do. It’s easier said than done.
“Am I happy that we haven’t won more than one trophy in the last 15 years? Absolutely not.
“But I also think we’ve had some fantastic times. Being in the Champions League a number of times.
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“Despite the fact I feel sick that there’s a club in North London that’s a bit higher than us at the time, if I look back in the last five years we’ve been higher than them.”
He added: “In the 22 years, Tottenham has progressed enormously in that time period.
“Not as much as we would hope. Hopefully the journey is not over and we will get that trophy which we need.”
Levy is known to be a shrewd negotiator in the transfer market, often refusing to pay or sell players for above or below his desired price tag.
And the boyhood Spurs supporter believes success in football comes down to much more than the money spent on players.
He said: “When you compare what Tottenham have spent on players in the last 5-10 years and compare it to other clubs, not only have we exceeded those clubs but some of those clubs may have been more successful than us on the pitch.
“There is not necessarily a direct link between the amount of money you spend and getting success on the pitch.”
He added: “I don’t consider myself a special negotiator or anything like that, I’m just acting in the best interests of my club.
“I think when it comes to the transfer it depends on the balance of power.
“If you have a player who you really don’t want to sell then you have every right to say no, you own the registration.
“It depends also on the character of the player, whether you feel at the end you can keep the player because we’re operating in a team sport, it’s very important that we keep the team together. Every circumstance is different.”
Levy was also quizzed on the future of record goalscorer Harry Kane.
The Tottenham striker and England captain, 29, is set to enter the final year of his contract this summer.
He has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United as he seeks the first silverware of his career.
But Levy feels he can claim trophies by remaining at Spurs, albeit while furthering his legacy as a club icon.
He said: “He can absolutely win a trophy at Spurs. But being a legend is also important. The fact that he’s top scorer of Tottenham Hotspur, he’s making history.
“I hope one day that there is a statue of Harry Kane outside our stadium.”
Arsenal sit top of the Premier League table, 21 points ahead of TottenhamGetty Read More