Daniel Levy has left his position as Executive Chairman at Tottenham Hotspur after several protests from the club’s supporters.
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Buy cheap, buy twice. If ever a phrase could be labelled at Daniel Levy during his time at Tottenham Hotspur it’s this one.
After Spurs announced Levy’s departure as chairman thoughts immediately turn to who might replace him and whether or not they will have more success in the transfer market and with taking the club to the next level. Being consistent might keep the directors happy, but this doesn’t put trophies in the club’s cabinet.
His parting gift to Spurs was to sack the man who delivered a major European trophy but made a decision in hiring Thomas Frank that has been universally approved. Gone is the swashbuckling approach of Ange Postecoglou with a more pragmatic style that, of the right signings are made, could pay dividends.
The signing of Xavi Simons is something of a coup as is the late addition of Randal Kolo Muani. Add Mohammed Kudus and Spurs have the sort of forward line that can compete at the top end of the Premier League, even without Heung-min Son and James Maddison.
Levy’s parting gifts might be well received, but in his 20 years controlling the purse strings he hasn’t always got it right, there’s an argument that he’s got more wrong than right. On too many occasions, the ex-chairman would go for the cheaper option rather than the more expensive and lower risk option. Here are five names from the past who didn’t quite live up to expectations.
Tanguy Ndombele
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Tanguy Ndombele has all the talent in the world, sadly though, he doesn’t quite have the application to match and spent most of his time at Spurs out on loan after a £60m move from Lyon. Showed flashes of what he was capable of, but nothing more.
Gregorz Rasiak
A strange signing in the summer of 2005, Poland international Gregorz Rasiak made nine appearances, scoring no goals before being sold in the next transfer window. The less said, the better.
Ryan Nelson
A solid professional who enjoyed a good career in England, however, Ryan Nelson was far from the type of player needed to help Spurs challenge for titles, especially as he approached his mid-thirties. Lasted just six-months before being moved on.
Benjamin Stambouli
A recurring theme during Levy’s tenure is a series of bargain basement signings like Benjamin Stambouli who lasted five minutes at the club before being sold.
Bongani Khumalo
Over 40 caps for South Africa and yet he spent more time out on loan at clubs like Colchester and Doncaster rather than for Spurs. Returned to his homeland on a free and the team where Levy plucked him from.