Daniel Levy’s time as Tottenham chairman has divided opinion for over two decades, but as his 24-year reign finally comes to an end, we look back at the seven defining accomplishments that shaped his legacy in north London.
Daniel Levy’s nearly quarter-century stay at Tottenham Hotspur has come to an end, with the long-serving chairman now departing north London.
It is understood that the exit was not one he had foreseen, with reports suggesting that Levy was left blindsided by the club’s decision to move on.
Levy has often found himself the target of criticism from Tottenham fans, with accusations of lacking ambition both in the transfer market and on the pitch, where supporters wanted to see greater drive for success.
With Tottenham now set to embark on a new era, we have highlighted seven of Daniel Levy’s biggest accomplishments as chairman of the club.
Daniel Levy wins his first trophy with Tottenham
Daniel Levy took charge as Tottenham chairman in 2001, though it would take several years before the club achieved anything tangible on the pitch.
Silverware did not arrive until 2008, when Spurs lifted the League Cup after beating London rivals Chelsea at Wembley.
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It was not the grandest of prizes for a club that had once secured European honours, but it was still the first trophy of Levy’s tenure, and although he may have hoped to build on that moment, further success proved elusive.
Daniel Levy delivers the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Levy has long regarded the construction of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as his crowning off-field achievement, with the £1 billion project transforming the club’s image.
The ground, completed in 2019, is widely viewed as a modern masterpiece, hosting not only Spurs’ Premier League fixtures but also NFL matches, boxing events, and major concerts.
As well as being a state-of-the-art venue, the stadium has proven a financial powerhouse, generating millions in revenue year on year and placing Tottenham among the top clubs in Europe for commercial growth.
Hotspur Way marks another milestone
The performances on the pitch are the product of the relentless work carried out at Hotspur Way, Tottenham’s world-class training ground that opened under Levy’s guidance.
The complex features 15 full-size grass pitches, including four dedicated to the men’s first team, alongside an indoor 80x50m ETFE-covered pitch, fitness suites, analysis rooms, and cutting-edge medical facilities.
Designed with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind, Hotspur Way quickly established itself as one of the finest training centres in world football, with Levy playing a central role in its creation.
Tottenham reach Champions League final under Levy
Levy’s biggest critics have long accused him of lacking ambition on the pitch, yet his tenure did deliver a landmark moment in 2019 when Tottenham reached their first-ever Champions League final.
That unforgettable run, capped off with a semi-final comeback against Ajax, ended in disappointment as Spurs lost to Liverpool in Madrid, but it nonetheless represented a historic achievement for the club under his stewardship.
While fans expected Tottenham to push on from that point, the momentum was not sustained, and Spurs gradually slipped backwards instead of building on their European adventure.
Daniel Levy secures world record fee for Gareth Bale
If success on the pitch was scarce, then Levy’s reputation as a negotiator was unmatched off it, and the 2013 sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid remains one of his biggest achievements.
Tottenham secured a world record fee of £85.3 million for Bale, surpassing the amount Madrid had previously paid for Cristiano Ronaldo, which cemented Levy’s standing as one of football’s toughest dealmakers.
However, that same trait often drew frustration from fans, as his insistence on driving hard bargains occasionally saw transfer moves collapse or drag out longer than necessary.
Levy grows Tottenham’s financial power
Levy’s business acumen also ensured that Tottenham consistently posted healthy profits, with financial reports confirming that no other Premier League club made more over his time in charge.
Figures showed Spurs earned £65 million more than their nearest rival for profitability during his reign, a gap that highlighted just how strong Levy had made the club off the field.
In an era dominated by Financial Fair Play and sustainability regulations, his ability to keep Tottenham secure has left the club well-placed to invest wisely in the years ahead.
Tottenham finally win European silverware in 2024
Perhaps the crowning moment of Levy’s tenure came just last season, when Tottenham lifted the Europa League in Bilbao to end a 17-year wait for silverware.
Guided by Ange Postecoglou, Spurs endured a dismal domestic campaign that saw them finish 17th in the Premier League, but their European success provided a much-needed lift and gave Levy his second trophy as chairman.
Levy backed Postecoglou throughout that turbulent season and was rewarded when the Australian delivered on his promise of a second-season triumph, although both their tenures ended shortly afterwards as Tottenham opted for sweeping change.