Levy targets Spurs legacy

Tottenham chief will only sell when time is right

Last updated: 4th April 2008

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Levy: Reveals Spurs vision

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Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy insists he is in no rush to sell the club despite admitting he would consider cashing in if it suits all shareholders and fans.

Levy has helped turn around the club's fortunes - both on and off the pitch - since taking charge in 2001.

Tottenham's value has soared as a result, leading to speculation of a takeover, but Levy revealed there had been no serious interest so far.

In a rare interview, with FC Business magazine, Levy confirmed his main aims at Spurs are to reach the UEFA Champions League and develop White Hart Lane.

"From the moment we came into this club, there has been constant takeover speculation," he said.

Well-run

"People know we run the club well and that it is not some private fiefdom, but the reality is no one has made us an offer that would even tempt us.

"We have more than 20,000 shareholders - and if it was in the interests of everyone, including the fans, we'd have to think about it.

"We live in a free enterprise world. What is wrong with individuals building up a value that one day - whether in six months or 60 years - can be realised?"

Levy feels Tottenham need bigger attendances if they are to break up the 'big four' and play Champions League football, and Spurs are hoping to make an announcement on their stadium plans in June.

Levy is against relocating and he hopes a redeveloped White Hart Lane will be his legacy when he chooses to sell up.

Legacy

"I guess I would like to have solved the stadium issue and have us in the Champions League," he said.

"There is no time scale for the latter, because you've got four spots and a lot of potential contenders. I don't accept that we will have failed if we don't make it next season."

Juande Ramos has quickly raised expectations at White Hart Lane since becoming manager in October.

The Spaniard steered Spurs to Carling Cup glory in February to end their nine-year trophy drought, and although the manner of his appointment was criticised, Levy believes Ramos is the right man to lead Spurs into a new era.

"If you believe you can be successful, you've got more chance than if you don't," he said.

"It's very important to have a leader who really believes he can deliver success - because that filters through.

"We did not anticipate winning a cup so early. But Juande is highly intelligent, a real motivator - and it's all about the team, not him. I didn't realise the extent to which he's obsessed with winning."

Levy is also hoping to adopt a similar transfer policy to local rivals Arsenal after splashing out £16.5million to sign Darren Bent from Charlton last summer, a decision he still stands by.

Younger players

"It's not about how much you spend on players - it's how you spend it," he said.

"Arsenal are the best example of being incredibly skilful in acquiring younger players or doing certain transfers that have not cost a lot of money.

"Over the years, they've spent considerably less money than us on a net basis - but look at the success they've had.

"Sometimes in transfers you have to take opportunities when they present themselves," Levy added.

"One of the reasons we decided to bring him (Bent) in was that we believed one of our other strikers (Jermain Defoe) may be going.

"It didn't happen at the time, but we took the view we wanted a target man - and there are not that many.

"We knew we were paying a full price but we were competing with a lot of other clubs and took a long-term view."