The History of Tottenham Under Daniel Levy

"To dare is to do." The iconic slogan etched into the South Stand of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium isn't just a motto — it’s a mission statement. On Thursday night in Norway, Spurs lived up to those words, booking their place in the UEFA Europa League final with a composed 2-0 victory over Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt in the second leg of their semi-final clash. With a long-awaited trophy in sight, Tottenham stands on the brink of ending a 17-year silverware drought — a period marked by commercial triumphs and brand-building brilliance, but far too few moments of glory on the pitch. Tottenham Hotspur remains one of the giants of English football, boasting 26 major trophies in its rich and storied history. Yet over the past 26 years, the club’s once-bright spark has noticeably dimmed. Spurs’ last piece of silverware came 17 years ago — the 2008 Carabao Cup — when Juande Ramos guided them to a dramatic victory over Chelsea at Wembley. Since then, despite becoming one of the world’s top 10 revenue-generating clubs and rubbing financial shoulders with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and global powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona, Tottenham’s on-pitch results have rarely matched its commercial ascent. For many supporters and pundits alike, the question remains: how can a club so successful off the field continue to fall short on it?

Daniel Levy, a lifelong Spurs supporter whose connection to the club dates back to attending matches in the 1960s, has served as Tottenham Hotspur’s chairman and CEO for over two decades. Operating under the ownership of ENIC Group — an entertainment and sports investment company — Levy plays a central role in the club’s day-to-day affairs. Though he holds a minority stake in ENIC alongside business partner and majority owner Joe Lewis, it is Levy who has been entrusted with full control of Tottenham’s operations. ENIC first acquired a minority share in the club from then-owner Alan Sugar in 2001, with Levy immediately stepping in to manage its direction. By 2007, ENIC had secured majority ownership, solidifying Levy’s role as the driving force behind the club’s modern era. Under Daniel Levy’s leadership, Tottenham Hotspur has reached unprecedented heights in commercial success, consistently ranking among football’s top revenue-generating clubs year after year. The crown jewel of this off-the-pitch growth came in 2019 with the opening of the state-of-the-art, $1.2 billion Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — a multipurpose venue that replaced the beloved White Hart Lane and revitalized the surrounding North London area. The stadium has since become a landmark destination, securing a long-term partnership with the NFL to host annual games. Yet, while the club’s business empire flourished, performances on the pitch began to falter. Frustration among supporters has steadily grown, with many accusing Levy of prioritizing profits over progress, fueling a mounting campaign calling for him and ENIC to sell the club.

In Daniel Levy’s 24-year reign at Tottenham, the club has lifted just one major trophy — a statistic that continues to fuel the frustration of a disillusioned fanbase. Supporters long for the glory days: the iconic double-winning side of 1961, the club’s proud status as record FA Cup winners, and the electric era of Glenn Hoddle and Gary Lineker lighting up European nights. Under Levy, those memories have faded into history, replaced by years of near-misses and unmet expectations. The breaking point came during the COVID-19 pandemic with Tottenham’s involvement in the failed European Super League — a move widely seen as a betrayal of the club’s identity. Fan protests erupted in response, marking a turning point in the relationship between supporters and the club’s ownership. Now in 2025, Tottenham Hotspur finds itself on the cusp of redemption. For the second time under Daniel Levy’s stewardship, the club has reached a major European final — this time in the UEFA Europa League — with a golden opportunity to end a 17-year trophy drought. While Spurs have impressed on the continental stage, their domestic form tells a different story. They currently languish in 16th place in the Premier League, enduring one of the worst league campaigns in recent memory. Manager Ange Postecoglou, the 16th managerial appointment under Levy, arrived in the summer of 2023 with a mandate to transform the club's culture. Despite moments of promise, he is widely rumored to face the sack at season’s end — even if Spurs lift the Europa League trophy. Such instability reflects a deeper issue in Tottenham’s long-standing struggle to achieve sustained success on the pitch. Yet, as they prepare to face European heavyweight Manchester United in the final, there’s renewed hope. For fans, it’s more than just a match — it’s a chance to reconnect with the club’s proud European legacy and to finally celebrate a moment that’s been 17 years in the making.