Levy’s worst error was axing “genius” who’s “too good” for Spurs

The Daniel Levy period at Tottenham Hotspur has come to an finish.

On Thursday, it was confirmed that the 63-year-old would step down as Govt Chairman after 25 years in cost, with the possession believing change was wanted to convey larger sporting success.

Appointed in March 2001, Levy was the longest-serving chairman in Premier League historical past and a divisive determine all through his tenure.

Often the topic of supporter protests, his status was cut up between monetary prudence and a failure to translate infrastructure into silverware.

Levy’s remaining months introduced a uncommon excessive and an equally stark low. Spurs gained the Europa League in Might, ending a 17-year anticipate a trophy.

But the triumph was underpinned by a disastrous league marketing campaign that noticed them end seventeenth within the Premier League.

He’ll nonetheless be remembered for delivering the £1bn Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a multi-purpose venue that reworked the membership’s business revenues.

Internet hosting NFL video games, live shows and boxing occasions, the stadium has develop into a world landmark.

On the pitch, nevertheless, Levy’s managerial selections usually outlined Spurs’ fortunes greater than infrastructure ever might.

This summer time’s spending spree, with marquee signings like Mohamed Kudus and Xavi Simons, hinted at ambition, although Spurs missed out on Eberechi Eze to rivals Arsenal.

Vinai Venkatesham, appointed Chief Govt in April, now should take the reins and implement a brand new imaginative and prescient whereas the seek for Levy’s substitute is ongoing.

Ange and the various Managers of Levy’s Spurs

Few chairmen have employed and fired as many notable managers as Levy.

Ange Postecoglou, adored at occasions by supporters for his daring attacking soccer, was the newest casualty.

Sacked simply weeks after lifting the Europa League, his dismissal got here amid dire league type – 22 top-flight losses in 2024/25 – underlining Levy’s status for ruthless decision-making.

Thomas Frank has since arrived from Brentford to regular the ship. Postecoglou’s departure was removed from Levy’s solely high-profile axing.

José Mourinho was dismissed only a week earlier than Spurs confronted Manchester Metropolis within the 2021 Carabao Cup remaining, a transfer that baffled many supporters.

Ryan Mason stepped in as caretaker supervisor, however Spurs finally misplaced the ultimate.

Antonio Conte’s brief however flamable tenure noticed him brazenly query his gamers’ mentality, although he did information them to Champions League qualification in 2021/22.

Levy additionally experimented with Nuno Espírito Santo, a venture that fizzled out inside months, and was additionally identified to show to well-known figures like Harry Redknapp and Tim Sherwood prior to now.

But one identify outlined Levy’s Spurs greater than every other, each in success and within the bitterness of his departure.

Sacking Pochettino was Levy’s greatest mistale

Mauricio Pochettino’s time in North London was transformative.

Appointed in Might 2014 as Spurs’ tenth supervisor in simply 12 years, he introduced stability, fashion and perception.

Over 5 years, he nurtured skills like Harry Kane and Dele Alli, constructed a fearless group round excessive urgent and speedy transitions, and took Spurs nearer to glory than they’d been in many years.

The head got here in 2019 when Spurs reached the Champions League remaining.

Their run included an unforgettable semi-final comeback towards Ajax, capped by Lucas Moura’s last-minute hat-trick strike.

Although they fell 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid, it was a defining achievement.

Within the league, Pochettino’s facet completed second in 2016/17 with 86 factors – their finest end since 1963 – solely seven factors behind champions Chelsea.

And but, simply months after that Champions League remaining, Levy made his most notorious name. With Spurs struggling firstly of the 2019/20 season, Pochettino was sacked.

It was a choice much more brutal than the one which ended Postecoglou’s reign. As journalist Alex Keble described him, Pochettino was a “genius” and a “very uncommon instance of a supervisor genuinely being too good for a membership.”

The Argentine later admitted he was shocked by Levy’s departure this week, reflecting fondly on their “superb” relationship.

After leaving Spurs, he managed PSG after which Chelsea, earlier than taking cost of the US males’s nationwide group.

His tactical philosophy stays constant: a 4-2-3-1 constructed on urgent, taking part in out from the again, and suffocating opponents with relentless power.

Pochettino gave Spurs an identification that carried them to the sting of greatness. Levy’s determination to sack him months after their best fashionable achievement left scars that arguably linger to today.

It’s unclear the place Spurs go from right here, however they undoubtedly have the business base to develop into one thing new altogether.