Daniel Levy’s journey began long before he became Tottenham Hotspur’s revered chairman.
At just 16, during a parents’ evening, his headteacher declared he was not academic enough and should leave school. However, the very next day, Levy vowed, “I’m not going to be beaten,” and from that point on he transformed his academic record.
Consequently, he achieved straight As and later earned a first-class degree in Economics and Land Economy at Cambridge. This early determination laid the foundation for a career defined by resilience and relentless ambition.
Moreover, colleagues describe Levy as a fighter whose toughness and shrewd mind have defined his tenure. Many say he appears stern and unyielding, yet those who know him personally recognize his cleverness and the fact that he built the modern Spurs entirely on his own merit.
In addition, his leadership oversaw the development of a state-of-the-art training ground and a futuristic stadium. As a result, Forbes now values the club at £2.6 billion—a stark contrast to the £80 million valuation when he took over.
However, Levy’s off-field ambitions have often sparked controversy among supporters. Fans have recently staged protests, chanting “We want Levy out” and unfurling banners that read, “24 years, 16 managers, one trophy.
Time for change.” Although his business ventures, such as the planned 30-storey hotel project near the stadium, aim to secure the club’s finances, critics argue these ambitions have sometimes come at the expense of on-field success. Nonetheless, his unwavering commitment to the club remains indisputable.
ENIC
Furthermore, Levy’s business acumen is deeply rooted in his background with ENIC, which he has steered since 1995. He proudly refers to the early investor, Joe Lewis—commonly called “Mr Lewis”—and the long-established family business that began with his grandfather Abraham and his father Barry.
In addition, this blend of entrepreneurial spirit and personal grit helped transform Spurs into a financially self-sustaining enterprise without further cash injections from Lewis after 2001. Therefore, his approach has always been about building sustainable growth.
When it comes to transfer dealings, Levy’s reputation for hard bargaining is legendary. For example, he negotiated Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich for £100 million when the striker was 30 and had only 12 months left on his contract.
Equally, his dealings with Luka Modric, who aimed to leave for Chelsea in 2011, and the failed negotiations for João Moutinho, have underscored his no-nonsense approach. Additionally, his attempts to secure players like Wilfried Zaha and Ryan Mason have often involved bold demands that leave opponents both in awe and in disbelief.
In contrast, several associates have described Levy as “near impossible to deal with” when it comes to transfer talks. They claim he runs Spurs like an investment bank, setting strict targets and KPIs that leave even successful teams feeling they never reached his standards.
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Nevertheless, those who admire him often sum up his modus operandi with one phrase: “He is a fighter.” His aggressive negotiating tactics, whether during the transfers of Eden Hazard, Luis Suárez, Luis Díaz, or Conor Gallagher, exemplify his relentless drive for what he believes is in the best interest of the club.
Additionally, Levy’s work ethic is nothing short of extraordinary. He reportedly works 18 hours a day and even logged onto a stadium webcam at 6am to monitor the construction of Tottenham’s new stadium.
While some at Spurs fondly recall the distraction that the stadium project provided, it also showcased his meticulous attention to detail—from choosing tiling for concourses to scrutinizing hospitality wine lists.
Moreover, his close relationship with manager Mauricio Pochettino, who guided the team to a Champions League final in 2019, reflects a personal investment in both the club’s infrastructure and its on-field performance.
Finally, despite facing fierce protests and enduring criticism for both his transfer decisions and overall management style, Levy remains unyielding. He has turned down several takeover bids and continues to seek minority investment—most recently in talks with Amanda Staveley—while remaining committed to winning further trophies. Even as he now works with Ange Postecoglou during a challenging season, his focus on football and his relentless drive ensure that nothing will stop him from fighting for Tottenham Hotspur’s success.
