Former Spurs winger Andros Townsend has boldly asserted that Daniel Levy is the “best chairman in the Premier League by far.” This statement might raise eyebrows among Tottenham supporters, especially given the club’s trophy cabinet, which has only recently seen some action.
Townsend’s Admiration for Levy
Townsend expressed his unwavering admiration for Levy, who has been at the helm of Tottenham since 2001. Under Levy’s leadership, Spurs have experienced substantial growth both on and off the pitch.
- World-Class Stadium: Tottenham now boasts a state-of-the-art stadium that stands as a model for clubs across Europe.
- Training Facilities: The new training grounds offer top-notch resources for player development.
- Commercial Success: Tottenham’s financial growth has placed them among the wealthiest clubs globally.
- Consistent European Football: Regular appearances in Europe have become the norm for Spurs.
Criticism from Fans
Despite these accomplishments, Levy has faced criticism from some fans who argue that he has not invested adequately in the playing squad and point to the club’s lack of silverware. While the drought ended earlier this year with Spurs lifting the Europa League trophy in May, the domestic campaign was disheartening, ending with a 17th-place finish. This led to the departure of Ange Postecoglou and the subsequent appointment of Thomas Frank.
Townsend’s Defense of Levy
Despite the challenges, Townsend remains loyal in his support of Levy. “I’ve said it before, and I am not afraid to say it… I’ll get some stick, but I think he’s the best chairman in the Premier League by far,” Townsend stated.
He elaborated: “Where he’s taken Spurs from then to where they are today is chalk and cheese. I remember ten years ago, Spurs were a mid-table club, playing in front of 25,000. Now they have a brand-new stadium and training ground, and they are competing at the top level.”
Acknowledging Past Mistakes
However, Townsend did recognize one significant error in Levy’s tenure: the handling of Mauricio Pochettino after the 2018/19 Champions League final. “I think he made one mistake that was after the Champions League final when he didn’t back Pochettino,” Townsend reflected. “He’s big enough and brave enough to admit that was his one mistake.”
Pochettino’s last summer saw the departures of key players like Christian Eriksen and Kieran Trippier, while the club-record signing of Tanguy Ndombele did not yield the expected results, as he struggled with fitness issues throughout his five-year tenure.
Despite a promising start to the 2019 season, a series of heavy defeats, including a 7-2 loss to Bayern Munich, ultimately led to Pochettino’s dismissal. Levy later described that decision as “incredibly difficult” and “not something I ever wanted.”
The Quest for Success Continues
The subsequent appointments of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte did not bring the desired success, and Levy has since admitted that letting go of Pochettino was one of the toughest decisions he ever faced.
In conclusion, while Levy is not without his flaws, Townsend confidently asserts that he stands out among Premier League chairmen. After 23 years in charge and just one trophy to show for it, perhaps Levy’s next investment should be in a watch – because even a stopped clock is right twice a day!