Daniel Levy’s decision to step down as Tottenham chairman could have a seismic impact in the coming months.
The 63-year-old had been involved in the hierarchy in N17 for 25 years, and his exit is sure to bring about a significant change at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, even if there has officially been no restructure at the moment.
Levy has turned Tottenham into a commercial superpower, and they have grown to become one of the world’s most recognisable football clubs under his guidance.
He has often faced criticism from supporters, particularly for the way that he handled transfer business, but on this occasion, Spurs fans may have to turn their frustrations elsewhere.
ENIC could have spent big at Tottenham this summer
Levy oversaw a typically frustrating Tottenham transfer window this summer.
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The Lilywhites completed eight new signings, but the narrative became more about the players who they missed out on, rather than the signings they actually secured.
The likes of Morgan Gibbs-White, Eberechi Eze and Bryan Mbeumo all slipped through their grasp, despite a sizeable summer spend of around £182million.
Levy’s fingerprints appeared to be all over the Eze saga in particular, with lengthy negotiations allowing Arsenal to swoop in and conclude a swift deal.
Liverpool had the most eye-catching summer, after they spent an incredible X on new players, and The Times’ Martin Samuel has made it clear that had ENIC changed tack, then Spurs could have easily spent the same amount.
“The idea that Levy and the owners were pulling in different directions seems far-fetched,” he wrote.
“At any time, a new strategy could have been handed down. Had (Joe) Lewis, or ENIC, wished to spend as Liverpool have done this summer, financial rules permitting, it could have happened.
“Levy may have enjoyed his reputation as the toughest negotiator, but it had to chime with what the owners demanded.
“If it was only Levy’s ego making Tottenham lose good signings that ENIC were happy to finance, he would have been swiftly reined in.”
Daniel Levy faced some unwarranted criticism at Spurs
Levy’s inability to land big signings at Tottenham has been a major theme of his time with the club, but it is unfair to suggest that he is solely to blame in several of the situations.
He has been an easy target for the fans’ frustrations at times, but as Samuels points out, he would have been forced to alter his approach had ENIC shown discontent with the way that he handled business.
In theory, his departure should bring about a new era at Spurs, where transfer business is done differently and with a more decisive approach.
However, only time will tell whether Levy’s exit is used as the driver for change that it potentially could be.