‘Fans don’t realise’ – Aaron Lennon makes passionate Daniel Levy defence but acknowledges transfers have let him down
Former Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon insists fans ‘don’t quite realise’ how deeply chairman Daniel Levy cares about the club. Lennon’s defence as a number of fans gather for a planned protest to express their frustrations with Levy’s tenure. GettyTottenham fans have become increasingly vocal in wanting Levy gone[/caption] The protest will take place before Tottenham’s crunch Premier League fixture against fellow Premier League strugglers Manchester United on Sunday, where a win for Ange Postecoglou‘s side would see them leapfrog their 13th-placed rivals in the table. Hundreds are expected to turn out for the demonstration having grown fed up with the club’s decline on the pitch under Levy’s watch. Tottenham have not won a trophy in 17 years and have failed to finish in the top three since 2018. The north London side also sit 14th in the table with 27 points, 16 off the Champions League places but, more worryingly, only 10 away from the relegation zone. This is despite the club posting a revenue of £615million last season and charging the second-most expensive adult season ticket in Europe at £856. Fans have previously vented their frustrations at Levy by writing ‘L£VY OUT’ on balloons, loudly chanting the phrase during matches as well as holding banners that read ‘Profit before glory’ and ‘To dare is too dear’, a play on words of their motto ‘to dare is to do’. Many have come to the conclusion Levy cares only about the profit margins rather than the performances on the field. However, Lennon believes the outside world is largely unaware of just how deeply Levy cares about the club. “I think fans don’t quite realise how much that club means to him,” Lennon told talkSPORT.com. “He is a proper, true supporter. I’ve sat with Daniel when Spurs have got beat and he is devastated. Not just as an owner, but as a fan.” Levy has been Tottenham’s chairman since 2001 Lennon conceded it took six years before he and Levy got to properly know each other, but the pair later shared what the former Tottenham winger described as ‘an amazing relationship’. It was no more evident than when it came time for Lennon to move on from north London. “He was fantastic,” Lennon said. “Even when I was leaving, he sat in a room with me for hours before I was up the motorway to Everton. We had good, honest conversations. “Even after I left, he sent the odd message and seeing how I am and wishing me well. “I can’t speak highly enough of him in that sense.” Ex-Tottenham ace Lennon believes Levy is only partly to blame for the club’s declineGetty However, Lennon can fully understand why fans have grown ‘unhappy’ with Levy’s tenure at the club. “Because I do believe at times there’s been opportunities where they probably should have spent more money,” Lennon said. “I do think at times instead of buying these £40m, £50m players, maybe go buy an £80m player. “Because if you want to get to that next level, this is where that club is going to have to go.” Lennon also felt Levy cannot escape blame for Tottenham’s malaise in recent years. Despite spending just shy of £500m on transfers since the 20/21 season – the third-most in the Premier League – the club has recorded finishes of 7th, 4th, 8th and 5th. The north London side have also cycled through several managers, with Postecoglou the fourth permanent manager in that time. However, Lennon believes the finger could deservedly be pointed at multiple people. “At the start of last season when Ange started with ten wins, everyone was like, ‘Levy’s a hero, he’s brought in Ange,'” Lennon said. “Now it’s, ‘Daniel needs to go, the board needs to go, Ange needs to go.’ “I think there’s been some bad decisions made at the football club. I think some of the signings have not been good enough over the last few windows, which has not helped. “I don’t think you can point the finger at just one. I think it’s a collective. Even the players have been underperforming. Tottenham’s spending and league position since 20/21 compared to ‘Big Six’ rivals ClubTransfer expenditure (including 24/25)League position (not including 24/25)Tottenham£475m7th, 4th, 8th, 5thArsenal£462m8th, 5th, 2nd, 2ndManchester United£568m2nd, 6th, 3rd, 8thManchester City£322m1st, 1st, 1st, 1stLiverpool£249m3rd, 2nd, 5th, 3rdChelsea£769m4th, 3rd, 12th, 6thFigures from transfermarkt.com “You can point fingers at whoever’s been buying players. Should Levy have spent more money? Maybe so. “As a whole, there’s been some bad decisions at the football club recently.” A win over United may not be enough to silence Tottenham fans from continually expressing their anger regarding Levy, but it would undoubtedly lift the mood around the club following two limp displays that resulted in instant exits from the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. But a loss would crank up the decibel levels on the
Former Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon insists fans ‘don’t quite realise’ how deeply chairman Daniel Levy cares about the club.
Lennon’s defence as a number of fans gather for a planned protest to express their frustrations with Levy’s tenure.
The protest will take place before Tottenham’s crunch Premier League fixture against fellow Premier League strugglers Manchester United on Sunday, where a win for Ange Postecoglou‘s side would see them leapfrog their 13th-placed rivals in the table.
Hundreds are expected to turn out for the demonstration having grown fed up with the club’s decline on the pitch under Levy’s watch.
Tottenham have not won a trophy in 17 years and have failed to finish in the top three since 2018.
The north London side also sit 14th in the table with 27 points, 16 off the Champions League places but, more worryingly, only 10 away from the relegation zone.
This is despite the club posting a revenue of £615million last season and charging the second-most expensive adult season ticket in Europe at £856.
Fans have previously vented their frustrations at Levy by writing ‘L£VY OUT’ on balloons, loudly chanting the phrase during matches as well as holding banners that read ‘Profit before glory’ and ‘To dare is too dear’, a play on words of their motto ‘to dare is to do’.
Many have come to the conclusion Levy cares only about the profit margins rather than the performances on the field.
However, Lennon believes the outside world is largely unaware of just how deeply Levy cares about the club.
“I think fans don’t quite realise how much that club means to him,” Lennon told talkSPORT.com.
“He is a proper, true supporter. I’ve sat with Daniel when Spurs have got beat and he is devastated. Not just as an owner, but as a fan.”
Lennon conceded it took six years before he and Levy got to properly know each other, but the pair later shared what the former Tottenham winger described as ‘an amazing relationship’.
It was no more evident than when it came time for Lennon to move on from north London.
“He was fantastic,” Lennon said.
“Even when I was leaving, he sat in a room with me for hours before I was up the motorway to Everton. We had good, honest conversations.
“Even after I left, he sent the odd message and seeing how I am and wishing me well.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him in that sense.”
However, Lennon can fully understand why fans have grown ‘unhappy’ with Levy’s tenure at the club.
“Because I do believe at times there’s been opportunities where they probably should have spent more money,” Lennon said.
“I do think at times instead of buying these £40m, £50m players, maybe go buy an £80m player.
“Because if you want to get to that next level, this is where that club is going to have to go.”
Lennon also felt Levy cannot escape blame for Tottenham’s malaise in recent years.
Despite spending just shy of £500m on transfers since the 20/21 season – the third-most in the Premier League – the club has recorded finishes of 7th, 4th, 8th and 5th.
The north London side have also cycled through several managers, with Postecoglou the fourth permanent manager in that time.
However, Lennon believes the finger could deservedly be pointed at multiple people.
“At the start of last season when Ange started with ten wins, everyone was like, ‘Levy’s a hero, he’s brought in Ange,'” Lennon said.
“Now it’s, ‘Daniel needs to go, the board needs to go, Ange needs to go.’
“I think there’s been some bad decisions made at the football club. I think some of the signings have not been good enough over the last few windows, which has not helped.
“I don’t think you can point the finger at just one. I think it’s a collective. Even the players have been underperforming.
Tottenham’s spending and league position since 20/21 compared to ‘Big Six’ rivals
| Club | Transfer expenditure (including 24/25) | League position (not including 24/25) |
| Tottenham | £475m | 7th, 4th, 8th, 5th |
| Arsenal | £462m | 8th, 5th, 2nd, 2nd |
| Manchester United | £568m | 2nd, 6th, 3rd, 8th |
| Manchester City | £322m | 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st |
| Liverpool | £249m | 3rd, 2nd, 5th, 3rd |
| Chelsea | £769m | 4th, 3rd, 12th, 6th |
“You can point fingers at whoever’s been buying players. Should Levy have spent more money? Maybe so.
“As a whole, there’s been some bad decisions at the football club recently.”
A win over United may not be enough to silence Tottenham fans from continually expressing their anger regarding Levy, but it would undoubtedly lift the mood around the club following two limp displays that resulted in instant exits from the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
But a loss would crank up the decibel levels on the ‘Levy Out’ chants and leave the club mired in further misery.
What's Your Reaction?
