Football FanCast

Tottenham Hotspur's final signing of the summer transfer window, striker Randal Kolo Muani on loan from PSG, is poised to make his imminent Premier League debut against West Ham on Saturday.

The Frenchman's versatility will be invaluable for Thomas Frank, with Kolo Muani able to play on both the right and left-hand side, though it appears he'll most likely be used as an alternative to centre-forwards Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.

The latter didn't play in Spurs' 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth prior to the international break due to a niggling ankle problem, and while Frank suggested that Solanke could be back this weekend, it is definitely wise to have another option up top considering Richarlison's fitness issues last season.

Kolo Muani has played the vast majority of his 269 total senior appearances as a striker, and there is reason for supporters to be excited by his arrival.

During his best-ever campaign to date in 2022/2023, the 26-year-old racked up an impressive 23 goals and 17 assists in all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt, and this stellar form earned him a £76.4 million move to Ligue 1 heavyweights PSG.

While it hasn't worked out for him in the French capital, Kolo Muani's head-turning loan move to Juventus last term, where he managed 10 goals and three assists in 22 outings, showcases a player of serious attacking quality.

On the international stage, Kolo Muani has always maintained the faith of Didier Deschamps, even amidst his PSG exile, with the forward bagging semi-final goals against Morocco at the 2022 World Cup and Spain in Euro 2024.

The former Nantes sensation has also been a long-time target for the Lilywhites. Tottenham attempted to agree a deal for Kolo Muani in January before his switch to Juve, and ex-Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was personally pushing for him in the winter, according to club insider Paul O'Keefe.

Now, the Spurs recruitment team have got their man, but unfortunately for Frank, there is no option to buy Kolo Muani at the end of his loan spell if he manages to pull up trees in north London.

This is seen as quite an 'un-Spurs like' condition of the Kolo Muani deal, and pundit John Wenham has fired a warning to Tottenham over agreeing to a straight loan.

Tottenham sent Randal Kolo Muani warning as "frustrating" claim made

Speaking to Tottenham News, Wenham says thatTottenham are taking a "risk" by just signing Kolo Muani on a dry temporary deal, calling it a "frustrating" development and explaining that other sides could outbid them next year.

"It’s frustrating that it doesn’t come with an option attached,” Wenham said.

“If it goes well, it might be that we’re thinking, ‘oh, my gosh’, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, whoever, are also trying to get the player based on his form for Tottenham this year. So we’ll have to cross that bridge when we get there.

“I mean, there’s an argument that you hope he does do that well, that those clubs want him, because that means he’ll have done well on the pitch at Tottenham.

“There’s also a risk attached to that. But I think in the scenario of having a free striker, I think it’s a risk worth taking, and I’m hopeful that Kolo Muani will be incredibly successful for us.”

While there is an argument that Tottenham face not being able to hold on to Kolo Muani, the fact he's arrived at N17 for essentially zero cost for the entire season is still a big boost for Frank.

Spurs need strength in depth if they're to finish in the top four and contend for major trophies, and Kolo Muani is exactly the calibre of player to help them do this.

Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a £60m opening bid for a "sensational" English star, who could now be open to a move to N17.

Tottenham looking to bolster attacking options despite Simons capture

Tottenham managed to get a deal for Xavi Simons over the line in the final stages of the summer transfer window, with Thomas Frank eager to bring in a new playmaker, given that James Maddison has been ruled out with an ACL injury.

However, Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard has since suggested there are some doubts over the signing of Simons, given that he was not always consistent enough in an RB Leipzig shirt due to concerns about his attitude.

“The way he moves, the way he beats people, his intelligence in terms of the way he assists, goals. Very good player to watch, and I think Spurs fans will love him.

“My only concern over him is sometimes the body language is not great, sometimes the attitude isn’t all that it could be. I don’t know him personally, all I do know is that throughout his time in Germany there has been talk of, 'is his attitude the best? And can he be disruptive?'

“That might be unfair. That might just be gossip but that has been in the German media. Even when he left, there was a big editorial in one of the major publications about the fact that this may be a good thing for Leipzig in the long run in terms of the harmony of the team."

It remains to be seen whether the Dutchman can adapt to life in the Premier League, but it appears as though ENIC are pressing ahead with a move for a different attacker regardless.

According to a report from The Boy Hotspur, Tottenham are now plotting a £60m opening bid for Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, who is capable of playing on both wings and through the middle.

Spurs are said to be implementing a more aggressive transfer strategy following the departure of Levy, and they are now planning to test Villa's resolve, although Unai Emery's side are probably not inclined to accept £60m, given that they value Rogers at £100m.

The English attacker could now be open to a move to north London, with Frank's side taking more concrete action towards securing his signature than Chelsea, who have also been named as potential suitors.

"Sensational" Rogers could kickstart new era at Tottenham

While ENIC have made it clear they have no plans to sell, Levy's departure marks the start of a new era for Tottenham, who are now expected to be more willing to spend big in the transfer market.

As such, Spurs may be able to compete for Rogers' signature, and there is every indication he could be a fantastic acquisition, having once again performed very well for Villa last season, picking up 19 goal contributions in 37 Premier League games.

Journalist Eduardo Hagn lauded the England international as "sensational" back in April, and he also proved himself in the Champions League, picking up four goals and three assists in 12 outings.

Rogers is clearly ready to take the next big step in his career, and with Tottenham planning to be more ambitious following Levy's exit, a move to N17 could be ideal.

It was officially confirmed last week that Daniel Levy would be stepping down from his position as Tottenham Hotspur's chairman, and it was met with mixed reactions.

Some wanted to point to the fact that Spurs were the most profitable 'big six' team in the Premier League during his tenure, which spanned over 24 years from March 2001 to the start of this month.

You only have to rewind a few months to the Europa League trophy that Spurs won, ending their 17-year wait for a major trophy, to find one of the highlights of Levy's time as chairman.

Daniel Levy's expensive Spurs blunders

However, some supporters may point to some of his transfer business over the years as being less-than-impressive, perhaps contributing to the 17-year wait for a trophy.

Levy was not really different to any other chairman, owner, or sports director, in the sense that he made good and bad signings throughout his time at the club.

For example, he sanctioned a potential club-record level deal for Dominic Solanke last summer, signing the English striker in a move worth up to £65m. The 27-year-old marksman scored just nine goals from 10.97 xG in 27 appearances in the Premier League for Spurs last season, per Sofascore.

Solanke is, therefore, yet to show that he is worth a club-record fee for Tottenham, given his lack of quality in front of goal so far, but he is not the only Levy signing who falls into that category.

Richarlison was signed from Everton in the summer of 2022 in a deal that was worth up to £60m, and he has yet to live up to that price tag for the club.

How much Richarlison's market value has plummeted at Spurs

Levy made one of his biggest errors as the club's chairman when he sanctioned that mammoth transfer for the Brazil international, because the striker's market value has plummeted in the last three years.

Richarlison, who was once described as a "goalmouth monster" by Ange Postecoglou, has been a frustrating figure in North London, as he has produced moments of quality, like the bicycle kick goal against Burnley this season.

However, those moments have been too few and far between, as the £60m signing has only scored 22 goals in 94 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

The former Everton and Watford marksman scored one goal in his first Premier League season with the club and four in the 2024/25 campaign, with 11 goals in his second term, which illustrates his inconsistency in front of goal.

As you can see in the table above, Richarlison's market value has been heavily impacted by his inconsistency on the pitch, as his value has dropped by a staggering £43m from £60m to £17m at the time of writing.

The Brazilian attacker could point to injuries, as he has missed 58 games through injury in the last three seasons, but the return of one goal in 27 Premier League games in his first year at the club was simply not good enough.

Spurs should expect more from Richarlison for the money Levy shelled out to bring him to the club, which is why he should currently be considered one of the ex-chairman's biggest blunders.

As it stands, the £60m deal that was put together to sign the Brazil international from Everton looks to have been a huge overpay by Levy, given that he is currently valued at just £17m.

Tottenham Hotspur once had a talent hailed as "the new Diego Maradona", who Jamie Carragher said was "like watching Pirlo", due to the way in which he flourished in a deep-lying playmaker role.

Lack of creativity cost Tottenham against Bournemouth

Tottenham spent large parts of the summer transfer window chasing a new attacking midfielder, pursuing Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze before eventually getting a deal for Xavi Simons over the line.

However, the Dutchman, who has picked up a combined 20 assists over the last two Bundesliga seasons, wasn't available for selection against AFC Bournemouth last time out, and Spurs created very few opportunities.

The Lilywhites were missing a player capable of taking the game by the scruff of the neck and creating something out of nothing, with Son Heung-min departing for LAFC in the summer, while Harry Kane has, of course, been a big miss ever since leaving two years ago.

During his time in north London, Kane received regular plaudits from the media, with some of the highest praise coming from David Ginola, who once said: "The new playmaker at Spurs is Harry Kane. He is like the new Diego Maradona now. Long passes, short passes, he has it all."

Carragher was also left very impressed with the England captain's ability to drop deep and create chances.

"What I was thinking about watching him [against Newcastle], it was almost like watching Pirlo. He was coming that deep in midfield, and it's not always about getting an assist, but it's playmaking from that deeper role."

First refusal clause means Spurs can re-sign Kane

Tottenham are well-known to have a first refusal clause, which means they would hold an advantage in a future race for the 32-year-old, given that Bayern Munich would be forced to sell the striker to his former club if they matched another accepted offer.

Former Liverpool man Dietmar Hamann has also suggested this season could be the centre-forward's last in Germany, saying: "I think Harry Kane has a clause that allows him to leave for a certain amount next summer. I believe the reason Bayern Munich wanted to bring Nick Woltemade in this summer was because many within the club think Kane wants to go back to England after the World Cup."

Signing a player in their early thirties would normally be a gamble, but Kane is showing no signs of slowing down, having maintained a fantastic goal and assist record at Bayern ever since his arrival, making a flying start to the new campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur supporters were left in shock earlier this week when it was confirmed that long-serving chairman Daniel Levy would be stepping down from his role at the club.

He spent more than 24 years in the position, since being appointed in March 2001, and played a part in Spurs winning two major trophies during that time, the League Cup in 2008 and the Europa League earlier this year.

Speaking last month, before this announcement, Levy said: "I think it's one of those situations [in which] when I'm not here I'm sure I'll get the credit. When you come here and look at this wonderful [stadium], and the fact that other clubs are now trying to copy what we're doing, that should be a sign that maybe we did do something bold, and something right."

Perhaps that is now true. Supporters and the wider footballing community may look back at what he achieved as the chairman of the club, with the standout being that they were the most profitable 'big six' team during his tenure.

However, Levy was not perfect, no one is, and there were plenty of missteps along the way in North London, particularly when it came to making signings.

Daniel Levy's worst signings for Spurs

As ESPN recently noted, the English supremo was heavily involved in transfer windows, even when sporting directors were in place, and had a hand in every deal in and out of the first-team.

A quick glance at Levy's ten most expensive signings during his time as the club's chairman will tell you that he was far from perfect in the transfer market, albeit more than one person decides and acts on a signing.

Davinson Sanchez and Tanguy Ndombele immediately stand out in this list for the wrong reasons, whilst Dominic Solanke, Richarlison, and Archie Gray have been at the club for at least a year and are yet to prove they were worth the massive money spent on them.

Time will tell whether or not recent summer signings Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons will turn out to be good signings, particularly given that the latter is yet to play a game for the club.

Beyond the current top ten, you can also point to the £26m club-record signing of Roberto Soldado from Valencia in 2013, because the Spaniard only scored 16 goals in 76 matches in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

Some players within the current first-team set-up could be considered among Levy's worst signings during his time as chairman, as he failed to provide recent managers with enough quality talent across the pitch.

One current Tottenham Hotspur player who was seemingly a poorly considered signing by the former Spurs chief is central defender Radu Dragusin.

Why Spurs should cash in on Radu Dragusin

In January of last year, Spurs reportedly splashed out a fee of up to £26m to sign the Romania international from Genoa to bolster Ange Postecoglou's defensive options.

As you can see in the table above, Spurs also made Dragusin one of the top earners in the squad on £85k-per-week, which is more than twice as much as Djed Spence, for example, earns (£40k-per-week).

Spence, who is currently in the England squad, has started all three matches in the Premier League this season and started 19 of his 25 outings in the division last term, per Sofascore.

His emergence as an England international illustrates his rapid rise in North London and shows that he is a valuable member of the squad, which is why Dragusin earning so much more than him may be questionable.

The Romanian international has been out with an ACL injury since February, unfortunately, but his first year at the club did not suggest that he was on track to be a successful signing.

Dragusin ranked within the bottom 4% of centre-backs in the Serie A for Genoa during the 2023/24 Serie A campaign for progressive passes per 90 (1.53) and the bottom 29% for pass accuracy (82.1%), per FBref.

This is why it was an odd signing to begin with for Spurs because they signed a centre-back who struggles playing out from the back to play in a progressive and risk-taking Ange Postecoglou side.

The 23-year-old defender only made ten progressive passes and five progressive carries in his nine outings in the Premier League in his first five months in England, per FBref.

As you can see in the table above, the former Genoa star ranked poorly among his positional peers in a host of possession-based metrics in the Premier League across his 16 appearances in the division before his injury.

In December of last season, pundit Chris Sutton described Dragusin's decision-making as "terrible" in a 6-3 loss to Liverpool at home in the Premier League.

It is hard to disagree with that assessment when you consider that the central defender made four errors that led to shots or goals for the opposition in just 14 starts in the division in the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore.

Dragusin, to put it simply, does not look comfortable in a team that wants to have plenty of the ball and play out from the back in a league that is as intense as the Premier League, because of the speed of the press from opposition teams.

This is why the Romania international was among Levy's worst signings, because he seemed doomed to fail from the start, and why the club should look to move him on when he is back fit, as he has proven himself to be too much of a liability in possession.

Tottenham Hotspur have been active once again this summer, with a real focus on landing young talents for Thomas Frank to develop during his time at the helm.

Owner Daniel Levy made eight additions this window, including pre-arranged transfers, resulting in an average age of the new players totalling just 23.5 - further highlighting the impetus on landing younger prospects.

Luka Vuskovic was the youngest signing at just 18, whilst midfielder Joao Palhinha has arrived in North London, offering an experienced presence at 30 years of age.

The total average age of Lilywhites' current first-team squad is now just 25.1, the fourth lowest of any side in the Premier League for the 2025/26 campaign.

Their ambitions of landing another player in such an age range looked certain at one stage, but Frank’s side were unable to complete a deal - leading to one of the sagas of the summer window unfolding in front of their very eyes.

Spurs’ failed move to land Morgan Gibbs-White

At the start of July, Spurs completed a deal for Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United, but quickly followed up the addition with a move for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White.

Such a deal seemingly came out of nowhere, after entering talks, to agreeing a £60m transfer fee, all taking place within just a matter of hours - but that wasn’t the end of the drama.

It was reported that the Lilywhites made an illegal approach for the 25-year-old’s signature, leading to Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis threatening Frank’s men with legal action.

As a result, the player ended up penning a new deal at the City Ground - arguably being a blessing in disguise, given their recent £52m transfer to land Xavi Simons.

However, despite their failed move for the England international, the club have already conducted superb business - now seeing the benefits of their latest transfer focus of investing into youth talents.

The Spurs player who’s now worth more than Gibbs-White

Spurs’ recruitment shift to land youth talents has reached new levels in recent years, as seen by Daniel Levy's move to land Lucas Bergvall from Swedish side Djurgarden back in the summer of 2024.

The now 19-year-old arrived as an unknown quantity to many of the supporters - understandably so given his tally of just 12 appearances in 2024 for the Swedish outfit before his transfer to North London.

However, the youngster endured a first season to remember, racking up 45 appearances across all competitions - subsequently helping the Lilywhites claim Europa League glory.

He wasn’t the only teenager who played a vital role in Europe and in the Premier League last season, with Archie Gray also making waves in the first-team after his £40m switch from Leeds United.

Such a move was undoubtedly questionable from Levy and Co, especially after the youngster only had one year of senior football under his belt before joining the Lilywhites.

Throughout the first few weeks of the season, the Englishman found minutes hard to come by, but the injury crisis saw him operate in various positions within Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Gray, who's been labelled "sensational" by one analyst, ended up with a total of 46 appearances across all competitions - many of which were in unfamiliar roles such as right-back and central defence - but roles he filled admirably given his tender age.

At just 19, he’s undoubtedly the future of Spurs, having plenty of time to fulfill his potential, but his stats from last campaign showcase the talent he already possesses.

As a result of his showings in North London, he’s seen his market value soar since his arrival, now being valued at £61.5m by FootballTransfers - a £21.5m increase on the fee paid for his signature.

Such a figure is £1.5m higher than the fee touted for Gibbs-White’s signature earlier this summer - showcasing the hierarchy’s desire to land youth prospects has already been a success.

If Gray can build on his excellent start to life in the capital, there’s no reason as to why he can’t be a regular starter under Frank in the Dane’s hunt for success during his time spell in the role.

The transfer is added evidence of the perfect recruitment model currently in place, with such deals desperately needing to be replicated if the Lilywhites are to win further trophies in the years ahead.

Tottenham Hotspur could now emerge as serious contenders for the signature of an "unstoppable" £100m star following the departure of long-serving chairman Daniel Levy.

Levy's Tottenham era comes to an abrupt end

Levy's 25-year tenure as Tottenham chairman came to an abrupt end earlier this week, with the 63-year-old choosing to step down, although there have been suggestions the decision came from above.

The businessman has been subjected to widespread criticism during his time as chairman, having overseen just two major honours in 25 years, while also making some very questionable managerial appointments.

Peter Charrington has since been named as the new non-executive chairman, and said: "This is a new era of leadership for the club, on and off the pitch.

I do recognise there has been a lot of change in recent months as we put in place new foundations for the future. We are now fully focused on stability and empowering our talented people across the Club, led by Vinai and his executive team."

With Levy gone, there will be hope that Spurs can now finally achieve their potential as a club, but in order to make that dream a reality, new additions will be needed to the squad, and there has now been a new update on their pursuit of Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Tottenham could now re-emerge as serious contenders for Rogers' signature following Levy's departure, with the Aston Villa star still greatly admired by the north Londoners.

With Levy gone, the Lilywhites may now choose to be more ambitious in the transfer market, which means they could compete for Rogers' signature, although a deal will be on the expensive side, with it previously being reported Villa are looking to receive £100m.

"Unstoppable" Rogers would be statement signing for Spurs

It would be a real statement of intent if Tottenham were able to win the race for the Villa star's signature, given that he is also in Chelsea's sights, while the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal have previously been named as potential suitors.

It is no surprise the 23-year-old is attracting so much interest, given the level of some of his performances for Aston Villa, regularly providing goals and assists right the way through the 2024-25 campaign.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher also singled out the Englishman for high praise last season, describing him as "unstoppable" after impressing in a 3-2 victory over Everton in September.

With Levy gone, it is exciting news that Tottenham are set to be a little more ambitious in the transfer market, and Rogers is exactly the type of signing who could turn them into real contenders for major trophies.

Tottenham Hotspur’s frontline has been massively bolstered throughout the summer transfer window, with Thomas Frank wanting to improve the options at his disposal.

The Dane made a beeline to improve such an area of his first-team squad, something which has been achieved during his first summer in the role in North London.

He’s added Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons to the attacking third of the pitch, with both talents offering top-level quality and versatility to the current squad.

Whilst they cost a combined £107m between them, their deals were excellent pieces of business and signals of intent from owner Daniel Levy to help build on the Europa League success last campaign.

The aforementioned duo aren’t the only players who made the move to the Premier League this summer, as the hierarchy also completed a last-minute deal for another talented attacker.

Kolo Muani’s last-minute move to join Spurs this summer

On deadline day, Spurs were on the hunt to land another attacker, after Heung-min Son ended his decade-long spell at the club to join MLS side LAFC.

Savinho was seen as a constant option all window long, but despite having a keen interest in his signature before the market closed, the Brazilian stayed put at Manchester City.

As a result, a deal was agreed to sign PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani, with the Frenchman joining Frank’s side on a season-long loan - but with no option to buy.

It was reported that a €5m (£4.3m) loan fee was forked out for the 26-year-old’s signature, fending off late interest from Serie A side for Juventus for his services.

Like Kudus and Simons, the loanee can play off either flank, or even in a centre-forward role, adding to the depth that the new manager has craved.

The Spurs player valued higher than Kolo Muani

In the opening three games of the 2025/26 campaign, Frank has shown huge faith in striker Richarlison to lead the line for Spurs in their quest for added success.

The Brazilian has started all three of the league outings, scoring twice and registering an assist, potentially nailing down the number nine position as his own - despite huge rumours about a departure earlier in the summer.

A deal for Kolo Muani will only add further competition in the final third, pushing Richarlison for the starting spot - offering the Lilywhites a new batch of healthy competition.

However, another player who is currently at Frank’s disposal is fellow Frenchman Mathys Tel, who has made his move to the club permanent this summer after spending the second half of last year on loan in North London.

The 20-year-old scored three times in his 20 appearances during the Ange Postecoglou tenure, with owner Levy deciding to fork out £29m for his signature this window.

Tel has already found minutes hard to come by since Frank took charge, only making two substitute appearances, totalling just 19 minutes in the Premier League.

However, his misery has been compounded over the last couple of days, after it was confirmed the Frenchman had been left out of the Lilywhites' Champions League squad for the 2025/26 campaign.

Despite his lack of action, Tel, who’s been labelled “incredible” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has still seen his market value soar since making the move to England.

He’s now valued at £43m by FootballTransfers, a figure that is nearly £15m than compatriot Kolo Muani, who’s still only valued at £28.7m despite his own move to join the Lilywhites.

Kolo Muani is likely to be an exciting addition to Frank's side this campaign - especially if the PSG loanee can replicate his form from his temporary stint in Italy last season.

However, the same can't be said for Tel, with his future almost certainly coming into question after his snub from the recent European squad - which could see the board make a quick profit on his signature in the months ahead, should the player want to depart the club.

The Daniel Levy era at Tottenham Hotspur has come to an end.

On Thursday, it was confirmed that the 63-year-old would step down as Executive Chairman after 25 years in charge, with the ownership believing change was needed to bring greater sporting success.

Appointed in March 2001, Levy was the longest-serving chairman in Premier League history and a divisive figure throughout his tenure.

Regularly the subject of supporter protests, his reputation was split between financial prudence and a failure to translate infrastructure into silverware.

Levy’s final months brought a rare high and an equally stark low. Spurs won the Europa League in May, ending a 17-year wait for a trophy.

Yet the triumph was underpinned by a disastrous league campaign that saw them finish 17th in the Premier League.

He will nevertheless be remembered for delivering the £1bn Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a multi-purpose venue that transformed the club’s commercial revenues.

Hosting NFL games, concerts and boxing events, the stadium has become a global landmark.

On the pitch, however, Levy’s managerial decisions often defined Spurs’ fortunes more than infrastructure ever could.

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

Vinai Venkatesham, appointed Chief Executive in April, now must take the reins and implement a new vision while the search for Levy's replacement is ongoing.

Ange and the many Managers of Levy’s Spurs

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

Ange Postecoglou, adored at times by supporters for his bold attacking football, was the latest casualty.

Sacked just weeks after lifting the Europa League, his dismissal came amid dire league form - 22 top-flight losses in 2024/25 - underlining Levy’s reputation for ruthless decision-making.

Thomas Frank has since arrived from Brentford to steady the ship. Postecoglou’s departure was far from Levy's only high-profile axing.

José Mourinho was dismissed just a week before Spurs faced Manchester City in the 2021 Carabao Cup final, a move that baffled many supporters.

Ryan Mason stepped in as caretaker manager, but Spurs ultimately lost the final.

Antonio Conte’s short but combustible tenure saw him openly question his players’ mentality, though he did guide them to Champions League qualification in 2021/22.

Levy also experimented with Nuno Espírito Santo, a project that fizzled out within months, and was also known to turn to well-known figures like Harry Redknapp and Tim Sherwood in the past.

Yet one name defined Levy’s Spurs more than any other, both in success and in the bitterness of his departure.

Sacking Pochettino was Levy's biggest mistale

Mauricio Pochettino’s time in North London was transformative.

Appointed in May 2014 as Spurs’ tenth manager in just 12 years, he brought stability, style and belief.

Over five years, he nurtured talents like Harry Kane and Dele Alli, built a fearless team around high pressing and rapid transitions, and took Spurs closer to glory than they had been in decades.

The pinnacle came in 2019 when Spurs reached the Champions League final.

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

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

In the league, Pochettino’s side finished second in 2016/17 with 86 points - their best finish since 1963 - only seven points behind champions Chelsea.

And yet, just months after that Champions League final, Levy made his most infamous call. With Spurs struggling at the start of the 2019/20 season, Pochettino was sacked.

It was a decision even more brutal than the one that ended Postecoglou’s reign. As journalist Alex Keble described him, Pochettino was a "genius" and a “very rare example of a manager genuinely being too good for a club.”

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

After leaving Spurs, he managed PSG and then Chelsea, before taking charge of the US men’s national team.

His tactical philosophy remains consistent: a 4-2-3-1 built on pressing, playing out from the back, and suffocating opponents with relentless energy.

Pochettino gave Spurs an identity that carried them to the edge of greatness. Levy’s decision to sack him months after their greatest modern achievement left scars that arguably linger to this day.

It is unclear where Spurs go from here, but they undoubtedly have the commercial base to become something new altogether.

After a late flurry of transfers in the summer window, Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly planning aggressive negotiations to sign a midfield target ahead of Manchester United.

Levy steps down at Tottenham

For all their late work to welcome Xavi Simons, it is still Daniel Levy's name in the headlines. The long-term Spurs chief has left his role as chairman, with the North London club seeking a fresh start aimed at winning silverware. After almost 25 years at the club, Levy's departure came as unexpected news.

Releasing a statement confirming the news, Levy said: "I am incredibly proud of the work I have done together with the executive team and all our employees.

"We have built this club into a global heavyweight competing at the highest level. More than that, we have built a community. I was lucky enough to work with some of the greatest people in this sport, from the team at Lilywhite House and Hotspur Way to all the players and managers over the years.

"I wish to thank all the fans that have supported me over the years. It hasn't always been an easy journey but significant progress has been made. I will continue to support this club passionately."

In his place is Peter Charrington and ex-Arsenal chief Vinai Venkatesham, who will be hoping to leave their mark as soon as possible. With Thomas Frank at the helm and the likes of Simons secured as a parting gift from Levy, all eyes will be on Champions League qualification and more in years to come.

The January transfer window is also now one to watch. If Spurs want to impress in a new era, then welcoming one particular midfield star would certainly be the way to do it.

Tottenham planning aggressive Gallagher move

According to reports in Spain, Tottenham are now planning aggressive talks to sign Conor Gallagher from Atlético Madrid.

The Lillywhites were interested in his signature in the summer, but ultimately failed to secure his signature. Now, in the face of competition from Manchester United, they may push on and finally get their man.

Whether Diego Simeone lets his midfielder go without a fight is the question. The Atlético Madrid boss was full of praise for Gallagher in April, telling reporters: "It's never easy for players coming from England to adapt to the Spanish championship, to the language ... He has competed very well in different places and in positions where he doesn't feel more comfortable.

"He will evolve, he has room for growth. He is very intense in offensive and defensive play, he brings a lot to us."

Frank's midfield has already been key to any success in the early days of his tenure and the addition of the "intense" Gallagher would only improve things. In a World Cup year, meanwhile, moving back to English football would certainly not be a bad idea for the former Chelsea man.