Is Levy perfect? No Does he make mistakes? Yes Does he have the clubs best interests at heart? Yes Was it better before Levy? No Levy is a businessman but is also a Spurs fan so for me he's the right man to take us forward.
Spot on KHS. The reason our level of expectation is so high, is that we have improved immensly and demand further improvement. Unfortunately "moving up to the next level" ain't that easy.
Sorry fellas, but I've got the clubs best interests at heart. That doesn't mean I'd be good at the job or deserve to keep my job if I make **** decisions. Finances/ growth/ stability, levy is brilliant at. - and that's what he should stick to. As for Football decisions... 12 years with no glory and what seems like a constant recycled mess which is like déjà vu. - not good enough. There has to be a balance between the two.
I agree with the first four lines but I struggle with the last one. Levy can't resist the opportunity to make a few million here and there. However, when the opportunity arises to sign a top player, he tries to negotiate the best price he can. On a level playing field great, but when others will just move in an pay the asking price, he puts Spurs at a major disadvantage. Levy might do better to provide funds but act as an auditor and take a back seat and employ a chief executive to run the club on a day to day basis. Don't get me wrong, I agree that Levy has the clubs best interest in mind and he is a million times better than the Venkys, Pornochiefs or the Glaziers and I want him to stay in some capacity, however, his continued presence at the sharp end on a day to day basis is holding us back.
Well that seems to have generated a full cross section of opinions, thanks to everyone who has contributed to the thread, I wish you well in your pursuit of a manager capable of bridging the gap and hope you get to see some decent football for the rest of the season, I will continue to follow your fortunes with interest. Merry Christmas Spurs Fans and I hope its a happy new year for you
People keep saying that Levy should stick at the books and leave player scouting and acquisition to someone else. Erm, isn't this EXACTLY the reason why he wants a DoF? And isn't that what the DoF did last summer? No doubt the same people are also moaning about having a DoF. Which one is it folks?
I made the same point on one of many new threads (mods - some merging could be in order?). Levy has accepted his methods weren't working by appointing Baldini. Levy's job now is running us in a sustainable way, providing a budget for Baldini to do what he gets paid for. Edit: found it - on the arrogance of Spurs thread
Yes its either a clear mistake to have a DoF or a clear mistake to not have one depending on your prejudice. Managing a football club really is a whole lot more complex than people seem to think
Good article AG I think people calling for Levy's head are crazy, and as you pointed out the 90's were pretty ****e. The team was a bit of a laughing stock to be honest, and the club as a whole a bit of a shambles. We are now consistently in Europe's top 20 grossing clubs consistently in Europe Have a number of brilliant international players all the way through the various squads Players that are established such as Sandro, Verts, Lloris, Lennon, Walker and Rose Players that could be great like Soldado, Lamela and Chiriches A really smart club badge (the 90's one with the crest/shield and the early 2000's one with the red lions were terrible) A really smart "world class" training ground Plans in the pipeline (with planning consent) for a 58k stadium, with massive massive investment in the Tottenham area A chairman that is willing to think outside the box with regards to making sure the new stadium maximises its ROI with NFL features One of the best club run charities in sport Huge social interaction with the local area Yes we do sell players, but at least we get a good figure for them. Once we actually get a settled manager (easier said than done) then we should find that our transfers are more effective: Better targeting of players - less scattergun Settle quicker less of our players leaving (if we are a good unit, and mildly successful) I appreciate many peoples frustrations, but not many teams find the right person or are able to afford them if there is such a person. It's easy for Chelsea and City to attract the best coaches, then buy the best players and keep them on huge wages. We can't do any of that, but still expect to be in and around them in the league. I agree things did not work out with AVB, but as long as the club show some ambition with the new coach (and he is a proven winner) we should be set for a good year.
In terms of league position, since 2005 IMHO we have been akin to the 1980s. In terms of play, since 2005 IMHO we have been comparable to the 1980s. In terms of silverware, the past 20 years have not been very Spurs at all. In terms of the board, hard to say. Did anyone really scrutinise what the board were doing financially for the better of the club, until the point where Irving Scholar had almost destroyed the club ?? Nowadays, some of us will actually get the annual accounts and go digging for the salient info.
A Dof has to make sure he knows what he's doing.With our new players performances so far looks like he went in with his eyes closed!!!!! Hell! When you've got a lot of money why not throw it all away.......?
I think i remember Spurcat saying he was very impressed with Baldini. I'm gonna go with that opinion til otherwise. I think most, if not all, the signings will come good tbh
Other than paying slightly over the odds for Lamela and Soldado I can't see that Baldini has done anything wrong. All players brought in look as though they have a lot of quality, and can add something to the team (yes even Chadli ) The reasons he is being questioned is because of *Commoli, AVB not being able to integrate the players into the squad, the team currently struggling due to AVB's tactics. *Many of Commoli's signings were actually fairly successful in the long run, or at least had talent in Boateng and Tarrabts case.
Another one for not better before. Sure we've sold players, but they wanted to leave and would have got a grump on if we made them stay longer, and we normally get decent money. I love the Europa nights and winning, fab 5 were fun though.
Baldini may talk a good game, look well presented in a sharp suit and have a phone book with Capello's name saved, but that doesn't mean he's the complete package! From what has been said he was brought in to make sure transfer deals went smoothly and for that he is obviously great at his job, someone who can do their job or sign paperwork on time. But building a working relationship with the manager and providing the manager with players he wants is more important and that's why most Dof's fail as they are more interested in being credited as talent finders. We don't want someone who is just a talent finder, we don't want Spurs to be a club that finds talent, gets nowhere and sells for big money. I'll rather we look at getting the balance right as so far it looks like Baldon and Avb decided to buy as many players as possible with the Bale money, rather then be more selective.
