logo
Daniel Levy: When I'm not here I'll get the credit from Spurs fans

Daniel Levy: When I'm not here I'll get the credit from Spurs fans

RTÉ News​a day ago
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy predicted he will get credit from supporters critical of his time in charge once he has left the club.
Levy has long been the target of ire from fans who point towards a dearth of silverware under his direction, as well as failure to build upon Premier League title challenges in 2016 and 2017 and the team's run to the 2019 Champions League final.
Last season's 17th-place finish – a record low in the Premier League era – was partly offset by victory in the Europa League final which saw the club lift its first trophy since 2008.
Former head coach Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked days after the win over Manchester United in Bilbao, dodged the worst of the anger directed from the stands as the team plummeted down the table, with supporters instead targeting the chairman for the club's apparent regression.
"I think it's one of those situations (in which) when I'm not here I'm sure I'll get the credit," Levy told Gary Neville's The Overlap podcast.
"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."
Spurs moved in to their 60,000-capacity stadium, built on the former site of White Hart Lane, in 2019 and it quickly acquired a reputation as one of the best sports venues in Europe, regularly hosting NFL fixtures as well as large-scale music and other events.
Yet frustration remains with the team's failure to mount a credible challenge for the Premier League and Champions League, though Levy admitted he was at a loss to explain the lack of success.
"Nothing has changed in terms of our ambition," said Levy. "Having won the Europa League – thank you to Ange – you get a taste of it, but it's not enough. It's never been enough.
"We've been in 16 or 17 semi-finals, seven finals, and we haven't won enough. We know need to use that as a springboard to keep winning. We've won two trophies in the last 20-plus years. We've been so close, so many times.
"I can't really answer (why), because I'm not the one that picks the team, motivates the team."
Former Brentford boss Thomas Frank, who was appointed to replace Postecoglou in June, will take charge of his first competitive match when Spurs begin the new season at home to Burnley on 16 August.
He will do so without stalwart forward Son Heung-min, who has announced he will leave the club this summer and was given an emotional send-off in Sunday's friendly against Newcastle in his native South Korea.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Newcastle make improved offer for Benjamin Sesko
Newcastle make improved offer for Benjamin Sesko

The 42

time44 minutes ago

  • The 42

Newcastle make improved offer for Benjamin Sesko

NEWCASTLE HAVE SUBMITTED a second bid for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, the PA news agency understands. The Magpies had an initial offer, reportedly worth £65.4million with a further £4.3m in potential add-ons, rejected last week for the Slovenia international, who has also been linked with Manchester United. Advertisement An improved offer of £69.7m plus add-ons has now been submitted to the Bundesliga club, it is understood. Recent reports in Slovenia claimed the 22-year-old would prefer a move to St James' Park rather than Old Trafford, while he was left out of Leipzig's squad for Saturday's friendly against Atalanta. Should Newcastle succeed in landing Sesko, capped 41 times by Slovenia and who scored 21 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig last season, it could have a huge bearing on the future of striker Alexander Isak. Newcastle have rejected a £110million bid from Liverpool for the Sweden international, who had been training at former club Real Sociedad after revealing he could be open to a move. Isak headed back to Tyneside on Monday morning for showdown talks with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe as the rest of the squad returned from their pre-season trip to Singapore and South Korea. The Magpies are also pursuing an interest in Brentford's Yoane Wissa and the success of bringing in one, or both, of their targets could be key to what happens with Isak. Should Howe be satisfied with the 25-year-old's commitment, Newcastle will be keen to keep hold of a player who scored 23 goals in 34 Premier League appearances last season and whose contract runs until the summer of 2028.

Rio Ngumoha ready to shine for Liverpool after pre-season wondergoal but which other English teens will light up Prem?
Rio Ngumoha ready to shine for Liverpool after pre-season wondergoal but which other English teens will light up Prem?

The Irish Sun

time44 minutes ago

  • The Irish Sun

Rio Ngumoha ready to shine for Liverpool after pre-season wondergoal but which other English teens will light up Prem?

'Next Rice and Lampard' plus Prem star's cousin among list of wonderkids TEENAGE KICKS Rio Ngumoha ready to shine for Liverpool after pre-season wondergoal but which other English teens will light up Prem? RIO NGUMOHA will be hoping to light up Liverpool's season - after shining in pre-season. The Reds youngster is only 16 but has played a key role in Arne Slot's preparations for the new campaign, including a stunning solo goal on Monday. 20 Rio Ngumoha announced himself at Anfield with a stunning goal in pre-season Credit: Alamy 20 He was just 16 when he played for the Reds in the FA Cup Credit: Reuters Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw Play via Dream Team's app or website today! The 'second XI' Liverpool team beat their Athletic Bilbao counterparts 4-1 as Ngumoha ran from his own half and curled in from 20 yards out in the second minute. By the fifth, he had added an assist, too, by nodding a header down for Darwin Nunez before being subbed off to a standing ovation in the second half. Liverpool poached teenage winger Ngumoha, who turns 17 on August 29, from Chelsea. The Reds were impressed by his goalscoring performance in the U17 Premier League Cup final win against Wolves in April 2024 - and the Blues could not stop his move to Merseyside. Angry Chelsea responded by blocking Liverpool scouts from attending Chelsea youth matches. John Terry wrote at the time: 'This boy is and will be a top player.' He became the second-youngest starter in Liverpool history aged 16 years and 135 days when they played Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup in January. Now after his superb pre-season, the former Chelsea academy star could feature in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday - then make his Premier League debut. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Nguhoma expressed his belief he can 'win the Ballon d'Or one day' before even making a senior appearance when he boldly declared: "I want to be regarded as one of the best players to ever play football and be a legend of the game.' But while the England youth star has a long way to go to realise those dreams, team-mate Andy Robertson is confident the kid will be a nightmare for Premier League full-backs. Charlie Patino opens up on Max Dowman and his own journey from Arsenal wonderkid to Deportivo Robertson told The Anfield Wrap: 'He's not bad, is he? 'He's a good kid as well and he's got a fantastic head on his shoulders. Especially when he's got people like Mo [Salah] who can help him so much. 'Obviously that's the last two games now I've played with Rio in front of me and he just keeps on coming on and he's got a hell of a future ahead of him but the here and now looks pretty good as well.' Gary Gillespie added to LFC TV: 'He is such an excellent prospect. The difficulty is managing expectations but it's hard to put a lid on it." And Slot beamed: "Rio is showing things every time in pre-season." But Ngumoha is not the only English teenager hoping to make their mark on the Premier League this season… Trey Nyoni, 18 - Liverpool Ngumoha's team-mate Nyoni held the previous record for Liverpool's youngest FA Cup player - and is club's youngest player in European football. The central midfielder was snatched from Leicester with a tribunal needed - but is now fully focused on adding to his six first-team games for Slot's side. 20 Trey Nyoni is another teenage star Liverpool wrestled from a rival Credit: Getty Will Wright, 17 - Liverpool Striker Wright signed from Salford this week after making his professional bow last season but will likely be in Rob Page's U21s set-up. 20 Will Wright made his switch from Salford City this week Credit: Reuters Max Dowman, 15 - Arsenal Arsenal fans are getting very excited about "special" playmaker Dowman, who has had to wait to get his Premier League debut as he started last season aged 14. Premier League rules state players must not be below the Under-16s age group in order to be named in a matchday squad. But few would bet against Dowman, who impressed in the Far East in recent weeks, following in the footsteps of Arsenal pal Ethan Nwaneri and Leicester's Jeremy Monga last season by starring in the top flight before his 16th birthday on New Year's Eve. 20 Max Dowman could make his Premier League debut aged 15 Credit: Getty Divine Mukasa, 17 - Man City Attacking midfielder Mukasa won back-to-back FA Youth Cup titles - in 2023 with West Ham then 2024 with Man City. Also eligible for Lithuania and Uganda, he has played across three youth ages for England. 20 Divine Mukasa, back row fourth left, moved from West Ham to Man City in 2023 Credit: The Times Shim Mheuka, 17 - Chelsea Mheuka was born in Birmingham, had a spell at Brighton and is now at Chelsea, where the versatile forward got one minute in the Prem but made four appearances on the way to Conference League glory under Enzo Maresca in 2024-25. Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Nicolas Jackson are fighting for the No9 spot and Mheuka faces a tough battle to get any minutes on the wings. 20 Shim Mheuka made four appearances in Chelsea's successful Conference League campaign Credit: Getty Josh King, 18 - Fulham Not the Norwegian Josh King who played for Bournemouth, this is the English midfielder who made eight Premier League appearances for Fulham last term. 20 Josh King of Fulham will be confident of adding to his Prem experience Credit: PA Harry Howell, 17 - Brighton Attacking midfielder Howell came on for his Premier League debut as Brighton beat champions Liverpool in May. He is the cousin of Seagulls midfielder Jack Hinshelwood. 20 Harry Howell came through the Brighton academy Credit: AFP Ayden Heaven, 18 - Man Utd Made a high-profile transfer from Arsenal in February and immediately thrown into the first-team set-up by Ruben Amorim. A strong left-footed defender, Heaven will put his comical own goal against Everton behind him and challenge the senior internationals at Old Trafford. 20 Ayden Heaven joined the Red Devils from Arsenal earlier this year Credit: Getty Harry Amass, 18 - Man Utd Alongside Heaven, he could be joined by fellow Young Lions star, left-back Amass. The ex-Watford teen made his senior United debut on his 18th birthday at Leicester in March, played twice in the Europa League final run and could be the future solution to the left-back struggles. 20 Harry Amass could be the long-term left-back for Manchester United Credit: Alamy Chris Rigg, 18 - Sunderland Rigg only turned 18 at the end of June but has already racked up 72 first-team games for Sunderland - including 42 in the 2024-25 Championship season. The sale of Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund will give Rigg more of a spotlight and his cheeky backheel Goal of the Month last season proves he has the confidence and talent to make an impact at the highest level. 20 Chris Rigg helped fire Sunderland to promotion aged 17 Credit: PA Harrison Armstrong, 18 - Everton Liverpool-born midfielder Armstrong has been at Everton since he was five and made his Prem debut aged 17 away at Tottenham last August before a fruitful loan spell at Derby, where he helped keep the Rams up. 20 Everton have high hopes for teen Harrison Armstrong Credit: Getty Caleb Kporha, 19 - Crystal Palace Following Nathaniel Clyne and Aaron Wan-Bissaka along the Crystal Palace conveyor belt of right-backs is Kporha. The attacking wing-back made his Premier League bow last season and played in all of England's U19 Euros matches this summer. 20 Caleb Kporha is a right-back for Crystal Palace and the youth England team Credit: Getty Jayden Meghoma, 19 - Brentford Left-back Meghoma was also part of that U19 Euros squad after working through the England youth ranks. The ex-Southampton defender made four Brentford appearances last term - as well as 14 on loan at Preston. 20 Jayden Meghoma has a bright future ahead of him at Brentford Credit: Getty Remy Rees-Dottin, 19 - Bournemouth Another youngster who started out at Southampton, striker Rees-Dottin appeared in the FA Cup and Premier League under Androni Iraola in 2024-25 and will hope for more minutes this season. 20 Remy Rees-Dottin will one day hope to be Bournemouth's main striker Credit: Getty Lewis Orford, 19 - West Ham Just one letter different from another West Ham teenage debutant in Reece Oxford, midfielder Orford has already been compared to ex-Hammers men Declan Rice and Frank Lampard. 20 Lewis Orford is already being tipped to follow in the footsteps of Declan Rice Credit: Getty Mateus Mane, 17 - Wolves Mane was in such high demand last season that Portugal and England both called him up at the same time - and the forward chose the latter. Born in Portugal, he moved to Manchester as a child and rattled in seven goals in 15 U18 Premier League last season to earn his top-flight debut. 20 Mateus Mane opted to play for England over Portugal Credit: Getty Kadan Young, 19 - Aston Villa Winger Young impressed against Chelsea in a friendly win during the 2022 World Cup and has two EFL Cup games to his name - plus three appearances on loan at Royal Antwerp last season. 20 Kadan Young wants to kick on after his loan in Belgium Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

Chelsea files: ‘New Aguero', 16, could be Blues greatest youngster as record set with John Terry protege set for exit
Chelsea files: ‘New Aguero', 16, could be Blues greatest youngster as record set with John Terry protege set for exit

The Irish Sun

time44 minutes ago

  • The Irish Sun

Chelsea files: ‘New Aguero', 16, could be Blues greatest youngster as record set with John Terry protege set for exit

Blues have snapped up the Champions League's youngest ever goalscorer Chelsea files: 'New Aguero', 16, could be Blues greatest youngster as record set with John Terry protege set for exit ALFIE Gilchrist was once tipped by fellow homegrown Chelsea defender John Terry to follow in his glorious footsteps. The Terry seal of approval came midway through the 2023/4 season which ended with Gilchrist signing a new contract, scoring his first senior goal for the Blues and being named Academy Player of the Year. 8 Alfie Gilchrist looks set to leave Chelsea Credit: Reuters 8 The popular right-back had mixed fortunes on loan at Sheffield United last season Credit: Getty But things move fast and the lifelong Chelsea fan is close to becoming the latest youth-team star to leave the club in search of first-team opportunities. In fairness to the Blues, homegrown trio Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill are three of the players who have blocked Gilchrist's path into the first-team defence as a right back or centre back. But the club policy of buying young talent from around the world has also pushed him towards the exit door. Even before the arrival of Jorrel Hato, the 19-year-old signed from Ajax for £37m, the writing was on the wall for Gilchrist, now 21. While he was still on loan at Sheffield United, Aaron Anselmino, 19 at the time, was recalled from loan at former club Boca Juniors and went on to play at the Club World Cup. Mamadou Sarr, also 19, was signed from Strasbourg earlier in this window before being loaned back to the sister club. So Gilchrist is all but certain to move in the coming weeks. But it need not be a case of taking one step backwards to take two forward, if interest from the Bundesliga turns into something concrete. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Championship clubs including Derby, Blackburn and MIddlesbrough are on the scene after Gilchrist's decent stint at Sheffield United last season. He has also caught the eye of Saudi Pro League sides. How Nicolas Jackson could make £80m Newcastle switch | Transfers Exposed Yet Germany might turn out to be the most attractive prospect after a number of young English players blazed a trail there in recent years. Including one of Chelsea's incoming players this summer, Jamie Gittens. The winger, like Jadon Sancho before him, left Manchester City for Borussia Dortmund as a teenager and came back to England as a player worth tens of millions. If Gilchrist chooses the same route, he will hope to do the same, For now, though, wherever he goes, he will cost less than Chelsea's original £8m asking price and perhaps under £5m. 8 John Terry had tipped Gilchrist for glory Credit: PA DERRY BOY NEW Chelsea signing Jesse Derry has already been branded 'Proper Chels' for a post he made on social media on the day his move was announced. After sending a heartfelt goodbye to former club Crystal Palace, the tricky winger posted a picture of himself as a child in a classic Chelsea shirt with the caption 'From young. UTC (Up the Chels)' The son of former Premier League player Shaun Derry also posted the official announcement pictures with the caption "A dream come true to join the world champions " The 18 year old looked set to follow Jadon Sancho's pathway, with a move to the Bundesliga seeming imminent before the Blues swept him off his feet and away from Selhurst Park. Derry also has a cousin at Chelsea in the form of Reggie Watson, a highly rated academy prospect also signed from Palace in the last year. Derry's form for Palace's under-18 side earned him an England call-up. It remains to be seen whether he will stay at Chelsea for the coming season or go out on loan. 8 Jesse Derry has proved popular on social media since his move from Crystal Palace Credit: Getty SAT-NAV SET TO GREATNESS IT is no secret that Chelsea have spent a lot of money accruing some of the very best young talent in the world in the last few years. Estevao Willian, Jorrel Hato, Kendry Paez, Geovany Quenda and Mike Penders will ALL still be under the age of 25 by the time 2030 rolls around. But one of their youngsters with an incredibly high ceiling might just be going under the radar, in the form of 16-year-old Dastan Satpaev. The striker has already been likened to Sergio Aguero online, with videos of him playing for Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan going viral. Chelsea paid close to £4million to secure his services, with the Kazakh forward set to sign a five-year contract with the option of an extra year when he turns 18. Satpaev most recently shone in the Champions League second qualifying round for his side, sparking a stunning comeback in a 3-2 win over KuPS Kuopio, and in the process becoming the youngest player to EVER score in the Champions League. The Blues may just have done it again. 8 Dastan Satpaev has been likened to Sergio Aguero Credit: Alamy SANTOS' TAPES 'HUSTLE' is not a word taken lightly when you grow up playing football as a kid in Brazil, trying to get noticed by one of the biggest teams in the country before daring to dream about a move to Europe or representing your national team. But Andrey Santos is a young man who had hustle in abundance, and a determination to make it rarely matched by others. X account TheSecretScout revealed a message sent directly by Santos a number of years ago in which the young player talked about a YouTube video of him that the wanted to make public. Santos would've been around 16 at the time, the same age at which he made his professional debut for Vasco Da Gama before going on to make 47 appearances for the club. The message read "hello, I have a video, but I think it's on the yotuber (YouTube)" followed by a link to footage of him playing for Brazil's under-15's at the 2019 South American U-15 Championships. Santos made it to Europe and Chelsea. A strong season on loan at Strasbourg in 2024/5 has earned him a place in Enzo Maresca's first-team squad. But he will need to display even more elite talent and mentality to force his way past Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia. 8 Andrey Santos pitched his YouTube videos to prominent X accounts when he was younger Credit: Alamy DAVID'S BIG HEART EX-Chelsea defender David Lee is getting on his bike after a brush with mortality. Lee, 55, who played 151 league games for the Blues between 1988 and 1998, had a life-saving triple-heart bypass operation earlier this year. To thank the medical staff and do his bit for others in a similar situation, he will cycle 130 miles in two days with friend Paul, from his home near Bristol to Stamford Bridge, aiming to arrive in time for the lunchtime kick off against Fulham on Saturday August 30. Lee is raising money for the British Heart Foundation and the Chelsea Past Players' Trust. Chelsea fans or anyone else wanting to help him reach and beat his £5,000 target can contribute at 8 David Lee (seen in 1995) is cycling 130 miles after surviving a triple heart bypass Credit: Getty TROPHY LIFT? HOW enthusiastic are Chelsea fans feeling ahead of the new season? Wednesday's Together In Glory event at Stamford Bridge should be a decent indication. Supporters are being given the chance to celebrate with stars from both the men's and women's teams after they won five trophies between them last season. The Club World Cup silverware lifted by Reece James last month will be put in the club museum cabinet for the first time. And the men's Conference League silverware, as well as the domestic Treble of trophies won by the women's team, will also be on display. When you think that six Chelsea players were part of the England squad that won the women's Euros, it has been a glittering few months for the club.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store