Former Spurs captain and club legend Hugo Lloris thinks Daniel Levy deserves more credit for putting Tottenham Hotspur ‘among the best clubs in the world’.
Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has never been a universally loved figure among the club’s supporters, but this season, frustration towards him has escalated dramatically.
Spurs’ woeful Premier League form, a growing injury crisis (once), a lack of transfer activity, and domestic cup exits for those reasons have led to increasing discontent.
The fanbase’s frustration has been evident both online and in the stands. Chants of ‘Levy Out’ and ‘ENIC Out’ have echoed across home and away matches, with protests organised outside the stadium.
Most notably, before the recent clash against Manchester United, Tottenham fans turned up in astonishingly large numbers to protest. On social media, hashtags calling for Levy’s departure have trended frequently, as many believe the Spurs hierarchy prioritises business success over silverware.
Spurs’ failure to sign an outfield player until two days before the January transfer deadline further fuelled the anger, especially as Tottenham battled an injury crisis. Some supporters feel that Levy and the ownership have not provided manager Ange Postecoglou with the necessary resources to compete at the highest level.
The criticism has not gone unnoticed, with several big names, including Jamie Carragher and Paul Scholes weighing in on the Daniel Levy debate. Now, Hugo Lloris, who spent over a decade at the club and knows Levy very well, has offered his opinion on the matter.
‘Daniel Levy has my support’ – Hugo Lloris defends Tottenham chairman
Lloris himself questioned Levy’s ambition in his autobiography multiple times including the ‘watch incident’ before the 18/19 Champions League final. However, the former Spurs captain has now defended the Spurs chairman, arguing that he is not solely to blame for the club’s shortcomings.
Speaking to Hayters TV in Los Angeles, Lloris was asked whether Levy deserves the protests and if he is the reason Tottenham have struggled to win silverware. In response, the former Spurs captain insisted that the narrative around Levy does not tell the whole story.
Lloris said: “It’s not the first time, obviously, but I always used to repeat that Daniel has my support. I know that from inside, all the really good things he did for the club. He took the club from one level and brought it to an amazing level. And today, Tottenham belong to the best clubs in the world.”
Lloris acknowledged that the club’s lack of trophies remains a sticking point but pointed out that Spurs have made significant improvements in other areas. “When you face difficulties in your season when you don’t have the results you expected, there is always a guilty (one).” In the same interview, he also said that factors like injuries have played a role in the team’s struggles.
The World Cup winner added: “I know that they are working, that they do all their best to get the success the club has missed. For me, Daniel has been really huge for the club, and he deserves a lot of credit,” Lloris added. “But again, you cannot win trophies with just one person. It’s about picking the right people and making the environment that will help the team succeed.”
Hugo Lloris thinks Europa League success will make up for Premier League struggles
Lloris also suggested that Tottenham’s priority now should be to win the Europa League and he’s confident that it is the players’ and the club’s biggest target.
“When you face difficulties in your domestic league, competing in a different competition like the Europa League gives you an ‘extra boost’,” Lloris explained. “There are many other good teams, but Spurs have a big chance.”
Levy’s biggest criticism has always been Tottenham’s lack of silverware under his tenure. With rumours of potential new ownership circulating, winning the Europa League could be a way for the Spurs chairman to bow out on a high note; or, if he stays, to finally deliver a trophy that would ease the tensions around him.