The Mirror

Tottenham's shackles are off and they can dream big again - now they must seize chance

Tottenham return to the Champions League on Tuesday after landing their first trophy in 17 years in May and under a bright new era led by Thomas Frank and without Daniel Levy

This should represent the start of a brave new world for Tottenham.

A new hierarchy, new manager and a Champions League campaign in what is regarded as one of the best stadiums in Europe. The fans have every right to be optimistic because there is also a buzz around the club at the moment which makes it feel like a fresh start.

Just last season, there were protests outside the ground against former chairman Daniel Levy because supporters were fed-up at the way the club was being run. Ultimately, Tottenham finished the season at the end of Ange Postecoglou’s reign by winning the Europa League and, despite their wretched Premier League form, it gave them a passport back onto European football’s biggest stage.

Tottenham have been bold as a club since then by bringing in Thomas Frank as manager and it was the will of the fans who really drove an even bigger change.

Levy was replaced amid a message that Tottenham want more success. We got our first glimpse of the club’s new power brokers in the directors’ box at West Ham last Saturday.

There was Viv Lewis, daughter of former owner Joe Lewis, and her son-in-law Nick Beucher were sat with technical director Johan Lange and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham. You can be sure the new hierarchy will relish their first big European night since taking over.

Tottenham have been regulars in the Champions League in the past and even reached the final in 2019. But a failure to build on the team which Mauricio Pochettino built was perhaps the biggest example of the lack of ambition and failings of Levy’s reign.

The biggest success, of course, is that £1billion stadium. It deserves to host the biggest European nights. Villarreal will provide a little taste and they have got big Champions League dates with Borussia Dortmund and trips to the likes of Paris Saint Germain and Monaco.

Tottenham should reach the knock-out stages and you could sense the excitement as Frank was asked about his first Champions League campaign since taking charge at Spurs.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity and experience,” said Frank. “We’re playing in the Champions League in one of the best - maybe the best - stadiums in the world.”

Tottenham have made such a promising start - three wins and a defeat from four Premier League games - under Frank and the squad looks stronger, it has been strengthened in key areas and it looks exciting.

No wonder a lot of Spurs fans will feel the shackles are off and they can dream big again.

The hierarchy want silverware. They have an ambitious manager. They have a chief executive who makes it his business to be in tune with the fans. This is a big moment for Tottenham - and they have to seize the opportunity.

After years of frustration and false dawns, Tottenham fans are desperate for a new beginning. The return to the Champions League and a win over Villarreal might just signal the start of something very special.

Tottenham make their return to the Champions League this week with a fresh optimism around the club following the exit of Daniel Levy as chairman and a strong start to the season

This should represent the start of a brave new world for Tottenham. A new hierarchy, new manager and a Champions League campaign in what is regarded as one of the best stadiums in Europe.

The fans have every right to be optimistic because there is also a buzz around the club at the moment which makes it feel like a fresh start. Just last season, there were protests outside the ground against former chairman Daniel Levy because supporters were fed-up at the way the club was being run.

Ultimately, Tottenham finished the season at the end of Ange Postecoglou’s reign by winning the Europa League and, despite their wretched Premier League form, it gave them a passport back onto European football’s biggest stage. Tottenham have been bold as a club since then by bringing in Thomas Frank as manager and it was the will of the fans who really drove an even bigger change.

Levy was replaced amid a message that Tottenham want more success. We got our first glimpse of the club’s new power brokers in the directors’ box at West Ham last Saturday.

There was Viv Lewis, daughter of former owner Joe Lewis, and her son-in-law Nick Beucher were sat with technical director Johan Lange and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham. You can be sure the new hierarchy will relish their first big European night since taking over.

Tottenham have been regulars in the Champions League in the past and even reached the final in 2019. But a failure to build on the team which Mauricio Pochettino built was perhaps the biggest example of the lack of ambition and failings of Levy’s reign.

The biggest success, of course, is that £1billion stadium. It deserves to host the biggest European nights. Villarreal will provide a little taste and they have got big Champions League dates with Borussia Dortmund and trips to the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco.

Tottenham should reach the knock-out stages and you could sense the excitement as Frank was asked about his first Champions League campaign since taking charge at Spurs. “It’s a fantastic opportunity and experience,” said Frank. “We’re playing in the Champions League in one of the best - maybe the best - stadiums in the world.”

Tottenham have made such a promising start - three wins and a defeat from four Premier League games - under Frank and the squad looks stronger, it has been strengthened in key areas and it looks exciting.

No wonder a lot of Spurs fans will feel the shackles are off and they can dream big again. The hierarchy want silverware. They have an ambitious manager. They have a chief executive who makes it his business to be in tune with the fans. This is a big moment for Tottenham - and they have to seize the opportunity.

After years of frustration and false dawns, Tottenham fans are desperate for a new beginning. The return to the Champions League and a win over Villarreal might just signal the start of something very special.

Emmanuel Adebayor was on the verge of joining West Ham on loan from Tottenham in January 2015, but the move was allegedly blocked by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy due to a fierce rivalry between the clubs

Emmanuel Adebayor was on the brink of signing for West Ham United in 2015, but the move was allegedly thwarted by Daniel Levy. The Togolese forward had successful spells at Arsenal and Manchester City before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2012 after a fruitful loan period.

Despite not reaching his peak at White Hart Lane, he still netted 18 goals in 59 appearances for Spurs after becoming a regular player. Although he was eventually transferred to Crystal Palace in 2016 as a free agent, Adebayor could have offered some return on the £5million fee Spurs paid Manchester City for his earlier transfer.

That's because West Ham were incredibly close to securing Adebayor in January 2015, until then-chairman Levy is alleged to have declined to approve the move. Adebayor claims that around five clubs were keen to take him on loan at the time, with Upton Park being the most attractive option.

However, as Levy allegedly viewed the Hammers as a direct Premier League competitor, Adebayor ultimately remained at Spurs. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Adebayor said: "The club decided to send me out on loan, which I was pleased with, and I was lucky enough to have five good clubs [interested].

"I decided to go for three, to see which one I should choose, and finally when I chose the one I wanted to go to, unfortunately Mr. Levy was against it because there was a rivalry between Tottenham and the club I wanted to go to. The club decided I should stay, which I am very happy to do. I am here to do my job."

Adebayor also revealed that QPR had shown interest in securing his services on loan for the remainder of the season, having already built a solid rapport with Harry Redknapp during their time together at Spurs. He added: "Harry Redknapp is a great manager.

"He was the first person who brought me to Tottenham and I really liked him as a manager. But I decided to go to West Ham because of their position in the league. They are fighting, doing everything to finish into the top four.

"And also because I could have played alongside some of their players, like Alex Song, who is like a brother to me. I wanted to go to West Ham instead of QPR."

Following his switch to Crystal Palace in January 2016 on a short-term contract, Adebayor endured just six months at Selhurst Park before being shown the door. In the years that followed, he featured for Istanbul Basaksehir, Kayserispor, Olimpia and Semassi, before hanging up his boots in March 2023.

He also scored 32 goals in 87 appearances for Togo at international level between 2000 and 2019. It comes as West Ham suffered a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of the Lilywhites on Saturday evening, as the pressure continues to mount on Graham Potter.

Pape Matar Sarr opened the scoring for Spurs at the opening of the second half, before Tomas Soucek was shown a straight red for a high challenge on Joao Palhinha moments later. Spurs then capitalised on their opponents being a man down, with Lucas Bergvall and Micky van de Ven finding the scoresheet to secure all three points away from home.

It comes as West Ham's third loss of the season from four games in total, also suffering defeat at the hands of Sunderland and Chelsea in their opening two weeks. And given that West Ham are currently sat 18th in the Premier League table, the board may be looking at the suitability of Potter at the club going forward.

Jamie Redknapp claimed that Tottenham were a 'mess' when Lord Alan Sugar sold his majority stake to Enic and Daniel Levy in 2001, leaving the ex-Spurs chairman furious

Lord Alan Sugar has threatened to SUE both Sky Sports and Jamie Redknapp after the pundit branded Tottenham a 'mess' when he sold the club in 2001. Former Spurs midfielder Redknapp was working alongside ex-Chelsea forward Gianfranco Zola to provide analysis of Tottenham's 3-0 win away to West Ham on Saturday.

The Premier League match marked Spurs' first game since Daniel Levy left his role as chairman in a stunning announcement. Levy had been running the show since Enic, a company in which he has a significant share, purchased a majority stake in Tottenham from Sugar 24 years ago.

Electronics mogul Sugar was in charge of Spurs for a decade, overseeing their FA Cup win in 1991 and the League Cup victory in 1999. During Levy's time in charge, the club also lifted two trophies and moved into a new £1.2billion stadium as well as a state-of-the-art training ground.

Discussing the 63-year-old's shock exit, a decision made by Tottenham's new-look hierarchy, Redknapp criticised the state in which Sugar left the club and praised the 'great job' that Levy has done. "I have been critical of Daniel Levy, there were a few highs I didn't like in how he operated," Redknapp, 52, said ahead of kick-off.

"But in terms of the training ground, the facilities, the infrastructure and [building] one of the best football stadiums in the world, he has done a great job there... You think back to Alan Sugar, how he left the club was a complete mess.

"Daniel Levy has left it in a really great way and [chief executive] Vinai [Venkatesham] will know that, and the people that are in charge now will really look at this club and think it can go forward."

Just 21 minutes after Sky posted a clip of Redknapp's comments on X, formerly Twitter, Sugar responded with the threat of legal action. "Jamie Redknapp is a double barrel idiot. He talks a load of rubbish.

"He said when Daniel Levy took over Spurs Alan Sugar left the club in a right mess. He and Sky will be hearing from my lawyers Monday @redknapp."

Do you agree with Jamie Redknapp? Have your say in the comments section.

The account that Sugar tagged belongs to Harry Redknapp, Jamie’s father. Sugar got it right in a subsequent post, warning: "I am coming after you @MrJamieRedknapp idiot."

Mirror Football have contacted Sky Sports for comment.

Sugar continued watching Sky's coverage of the evening clash, ranting about VAR after Spurs had a goal in the first half controversially disallowed for a foul. Thomas Frank's side went on to win 3-0 thanks to second-half goals from Pape Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Micky van de Ven.

Scott Parker was stung after being booed by West Ham fans during his return to Upton Park with Tottenham, the club he joined after being relegated with the Hammers

Mohammed Kudus can expect a tasty reception when he takes to the pitch at London Stadium in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt. Few players have made the cross-capital switch from West Ham to Spurs or vice versa over the years.

While the rivalry between the clubs isn’t quite as hostile as the north London derby, it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted. Scott Parker experienced that at first hand after he made the same move as Kudus back in 2011.

Parker had been a Hammers favourite during his four seasons at Upton Park, being named ‘Hammer of the year’ three times. He also won the Football Writers’ Association player of the year award, despite being part of the West Ham team that finished at the foot of the Premier League.

Fearful of missing out on a place in the England squad for Euro 2012, relegation drove Parker to seek a new club and he joined Spurs for £6million. He said at the time: “Playing in the Euros was a massive factor.

“The last six months for me has been massive with England. I have not just been getting into squads, I have been playing. To get into the squad for the Euros would be massive for me and my career.

“I want to do everything I possibly can to get into that squad really. With the way it's gone for me over the last year, I felt like I needed to be playing in the Premier League.”

However, his hopes that West Ham fans would have understood his rationale for leaving the club were soon extinguished when he returned to Upton Park with Spurs. Parker, who gave away a penalty in Spurs’ 3-2 win, was left hurt after being booed by large sections of the crowd. He said: “I didn't expect the West Ham fans to boo me and obviously it was a little bit upsetting.

“I don't know why [they did it]. I don't know if it’s because I went to their local rivals... I'm not sure, but I just would have liked to think that maybe I would have got a better reception after what I did in my time here.

“I loved [Upton Park], the fans, and I loved the club. I had four fantastic years here and it will always be a club with a massive place in my heart. I was looking forward to coming back and I couldn't wait to go out there and play, so I was disappointed [to be booed].”

Parker and Kudus are two of just six players to have moved from West Ham to Spurs since 2003. The others were Michael Carrick, Jermain Defoe, Frederick Kanoute and goalkeeper Jimmy Walker.

West Ham and Spurs meet in Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off. Amid unrest off the pitch, Hammers fans will be demanding a response after being thrashed 5-1 by Chelsea in their last home match. Meanwhile, Spurs are looking to build on a positive start to the season under new boss Thomas Frank.

Spurs made the shock decision to part ways with Daniel Levy having served as the club's chairman for 24 years - with Thomas Frank speaking about that decision in his latest press conference.

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has admitted Daniel Levy's departure from the club was unexpected. Levy stepped down from his position as Spurs chairman last week, having been invited to leave the position he had held at the club since 2001 by majority owners ENIC, which is owned by the Lewis family trust.

Frank would go on record to pay tribute to the outgoing Spurs chief, saying Levy had built the foundations for the future. "I would say, I don't think anyone expected it, but a decision is made and we move forward," Frank admitted ahead of this weekend's clash with West Ham United.

"Daniel deserves massive praise. He has been here 24 years and he must be one of longest chairman that's been in the Premier League ever.

"The things he's built, the success he's been a massive part of, you can't praise enough and two big things is he has laid foundations for the future in terms of this fantastic training centre and the stadium. Both of them are at a level where we can compete with big clubs for the future."

The Spurs' head coach also admitted he had spoken with Levy following his exit - to say goodbye - but reiterated the commitment of majority owners ENIC despite ongoing takeover talk. Frank continued: "Yes, I've spoken to him and, of course, known Daniel, but only known him the last three months.

"Of course I spent more time with him, but it's been brief. I said thank you because it was not only him appointing me, but he had the decisive words and I will always be appreciative of that.

"It's not a new ownership, it is the same ownership but it's just the majority shareholders have more influence. And they are very committed to the club and want to build something good for the future.

"The main thing I can do to do my job well is focus on now and that is West Ham. Huge London derby."

Ange Postecoglou knew he was destined for the exit door at Tottenham despite winning the Europa League in what proved to be his final game for the club

Ange Postecoglou left his mark in the corridors of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - now he wants to do the same at the City Ground.

The Aussie breezed into his new job as Nuno Espirito Santo’s replacement not only talking big but also about returning the glory days to the club.

Postecoglou referenced ‘bringing joy to the people’ on the back of his last public appearance as he paraded the Europa League trophy to hundreds of thousands of delirious Spurs supporters three months ago. And he plans to do the same in the East Midlands.

He said: “I want to win trophies. That's what I've done my whole career - and that's what I want to try and do at Nottingham Forest. From that point of view, looking at the opportunity that exists here what I've seen over the last few years since the president (Evangelos Marinakis) took over, those ambitions are backed up with actions.

“So I was keen to go to a club that would give me that platform to continue the career I've had so far. That is: To continue winning things. That was important to me.

“Not that they're in a position to do that - but they have that ambition. And I love creating things that last. Every club I’ve been to I’d like to think I’d be welcomed back because I think I’ve left a mark. That’s what I want to do here.

“That’s what inspires and motivates me. Can I create a moment that will outlast my presence in any sort of organisation. And that’s going to drive me every single day.

“The joy for me in coming to this club is to win a trophy - not because it’s going to help me keep my job - but because I know how it’s going to make people feel.

“That’s why, when I finish my tenure here that I can come back and somewhere there’s something on the walls that says I was here.”

Postecoglou’s unveiling was the first time he had spoken in public following Spurs’s final game of the campaign - a defeat to Brighton on the final day of last season. He claimed he knew the sack was coming long before the club’s glory night in Bilbao.

He closed the chapter on that, saying: “Look I know it was coming - and I knew it was coming a long way out. Long before most people knew it was going to happen. But I didn’t want to tarnish the night, tarnish the parade or anything like that.

“I wasn’t going to let that happen because it wouldn’t have been fair on everyone else. I wanted my family to enjoy it and I enjoyed it, too. When you win something, you cherish it and celebrate it - and that’s what I did.

“I wanted everyone to look around and say there are moments that will stay with me forever. Special moments.”

Postecoglou was, however, repeatedly hit with the accusation that ‘Angeball’ had fallen flat as, despite Spurs’s Euro success, they hit the buffers in the Premier League finishing one place outside the drop zone.

Asked about the approach he was taking at his new club, Postecoglou said: “I do like my teams to play exciting football and score goals.

“I’m making no apologies for that. That's just the way I am and the way I want to see my teams play. I want to dominate the ball, I want to put pressure on the opposition when I score goals.

“But all of it with the end goal of winning football games. Because that's what excites me more than anything else. If you win football games, you can win trophies.”

Daniel Levy has left his role as Tottenham chairman after 24 years at the helm and Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked by the club earlier this year, has spoken about his time working under Levy

Ange Postecoglou has acknowledged he had minimal contact with Daniel Levy during his time at Tottenham as both figures embark on fresh starts in their careers.

Levy brought the Australian to North London in the summer of 2023, and following a fifth-place finish in his debut campaign after Harry Kane's departure to Bayern Munich just days before the season opener, Postecoglou delivered the Europa League in his second year to break the club's 17-year trophy drought under the chairman's stewardship.

Yet the Spurs manager's choice to focus on that European campaign at the expense of Premier League form with a depleted squad didn't sit well with the club's hierarchy, and Tottenham consequently slumped to 17th in the league table whilst fielding reserve teams.

Just weeks after the euphoria of the Lilywhites' first European silverware in 41 years, Postecoglou found himself dismissed and succeeded by Thomas Frank.

Merely three months later, Levy himself departed after the Lewis family implemented plans to revamp the club's organisational structure, with the 63-year-old stepping aside following nearly 25 years in charge.

Postecoglou, now managing Nottingham Forest, was questioned about his thoughts on Levy's exit from the club, as per Football.London.

"I don't think it's the kind of forum for me to speak about that at length," he said. "Again, I didn't have a great deal of interaction with Daniel. I tend to get on with my daily business and do what I need to do.

"He was there for a very long time. He invested a hell of a lot in the football club in terms of building it up to where it was.

"Obviously, he appointed me so I've got to be thankful for that. Hopefully I repaid him with winning a trophy which they haven't had in a long time."

Postecoglou also discussed his own exit from Spurs and how he sensed his tenure in north London was drawing to an end.

"It wasn't great, I knew it was coming so it wasn't a surprise," he said. "I knew it was coming a fair way before the final, but we won it and had the parade and had a great three days and I didn't want to tarnish that, but I knew it was done.

"From my perspective, I had the chance to process it. Whether I feel it was unjust, other people make those decisions, they make those determinations. That's up to them, you have to ask them their own reasoning for it.

"What I do know is I had two years where it was very, very challenging but we were with some fantastic people in the football department."

The 60 year old continued: "The supporters, we've put through some tough times, but there isn't a Spurs supporter that I come across now that doesn't want to hug me and take me home for dinner.

"So I must have done something right. I think ultimately that's what we do it for. I'm very proud of what we achieved there. It will always take a special place in my heart.

"How it ended, I don't really think about it a lot. To be fair, I've done it a couple of times myself. I left Celtic and I'm sure that they were disappointed when I left. You understand that's part of the business we're in. But that's okay. It's allowed me now to move into this (Forest) and maybe that's happened for a reason."

Graham Roberts wrote on social media that he is undergoing radiotherapy treatment and brachytherapy for prostate cancer, and his daughter Hollie is hoping to raise funs for the Prostate Cancer charity

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Graham Roberts, who was capped six times by England, has announced he is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

Roberts, 66, was a mainstay of the Spurs team in the 1980s, playing 278 times for the club between 1980 and 1986, earning three major honours. He also had spells with Rangers, Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion.

Roberts wrote on social media that he is hoping to raise money for the Prostate Cancer charity. "I'm undergoing radiotherapy treatment and brachytherapy for prostate cancer and would love to raise money for this charity," he said.

"This October my daughter is walking 5km each day and I am going to try and do as much as I can as well. Please donate to this." Spurs quote tweeted Roberts' post woith the words "We're all behind you Robbo."

Writing on the Prostate Cancer website, Roberts' daughter Hollie said: "My dad Graham Roberts is currently undergoing radiotherapy treatment and brachytherapy for prostate cancer.

"Prostate cancer kills one man every 45 minutes – that's half a football match. But it doesn't have to be this way. This October, I'm joining Prostate United by walking, 5km every day with my fellow football fans to help save men's lives.

"Dad is also going to try and walk each week as well after his treatment. Sponsor me to help fund lifesaving research for men and their families affected by this disease. Thank you."

Roberts was part of the Spurs side which won the FA Cup in 1981 and 1982, and captained Tottenham in the 1984 UEFA Cup final against Anderlecht, scoring a goal which forced the game into extra-time. He then scored from the penalty spot in the shootout as Spurs beat their Belgian opponents.

You can donate to Hollie's fundraising page here.

EXCLUSIVE: Jermain Defoe's unique Thomas Frank insight speaks volumes about Spurs manager

Thomas Frank has made a fast start to life as Tottenham Hotspur manager and one-time Spurs striker Jermain Defoe isn't surprised to see the Danish boss show his worth

Former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe saw what Thomas Frank is capable of when sitting in on one of his Brentford training sessions and has backed the manager to thrive in North London. Frank took over from Ange Postecoglou in June, bringing one-time Spurs youth coach Justin Cochrane in as his assistant, and hit the ground running with two wins from the first two league games before a narrow defeat against Bournemouth.

“[Spurs’] squad's strong. Obviously the [James] Maddison injury, the [Dejan] Kulusevski injury, it doesn't help, but with this manager he's a top, top manager,” Defoe said.

“I was lucky enough that I went into Brentford… two years ago, just to watch training and pick his brains. I was still on my A licence and he was really impressive.

“Not only that but away from football he's such a nice guy, approachable. You go up and down the country you see coaches put on good sessions, everybody puts on good sessions, but I think managing people is so important and he does that well.

“I hope he does well. The players look really fit, sharp, but we'll see what happens - it's a long season.”

Assistant manager Cochrane, who worked under Frank at Brentford, was linked with the top job at the Gtech Community Stadium before deciding to head across London. “He started at Tottenham in the academy so he's done his work, he's been on the grass for years,” Defoe said of Cochrane.

“Now he's at the level where he's a top coach. I've known Justin for years, obviously he went to Man United, and he had offers. He's still doing stuff with England, so he's got that experience and he knows what it's about.

“I just hope they have a good season because there's just been so much noise around Tottenham. Struggling domestically last season but winning that European trophy, obviously Daniel [Levy] leaving. It's a big year for the club.”

Defoe was speaking alongside another former Spurs striker, Bobby Zamora, at the launch of the new Sky Bet x British Heart Foundation ‘Red Boot’ trophy. The trophy - awarded to the top scorer across the entire EFL this season - will raise £50,000 for each goal that player scores for the British Heart Foundation.

“We are both hoping there's a couple of strikers out there who bang a load of goals, 30 odd, at least £1.5million we want donated towards the British Heart Foundation,” Zamora said. “So that's the idea and whoever wins that will win... the trophy and have the accolade of having helped donate so much money.”

Zamora would have won the trophy twice in his playing career, hitting 28 league goals for Brighton in the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons before moving to Tottenham, while Aleksandar Mitrovic’s record-breaking 43-goal 2021-22 campaign would have helped raise a whopping £2.15m. Defoe has a personal connection to the campaign, too, having been on the pitch when Bolton star Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during a 2012 FA Cup game.

“You look at some of the figures, every 90 minutes there's six people in the UK that will suffer from a cardiac arrest,” said Defoe, who visited Muamba in hospital after that incident. “It happens a lot, we've seen with other players as well, so that's what we're trying to do, really - to create an army that can learn CPR and save lives.”

Former England stars Jermain Defoe and Bobby Zamora unveil the new Sky Bet x British Heart Foundation ‘Red Boot’ trophy – set to be awarded to the EFL’s top scorer this season, with every goal raising £50,000 to fund lifesaving CPR training and CureHeart research.