‘More beneficial’ – Pundit reveals why he thinks clubs backed Daniel Levy

Noel Whelan has backed the decision to elect Daniel Levy onto the European Club Association board despite the Tottenham chairman’s decision to sign up to the now-defunct European Super League earlier this year.

Levy and Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano had been vying to replace Ed Woodward on the ECA board after Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman stepped down from his position in April.

The Spurs chairman reportedly won support from Premier League clubs including United, Liverpool and Arsenal, while Soriano had received support from Chelsea as well as some Spanish clubs.

The ECA confirmed earlier this week that Levy will be the Premier League representative on the board while Inter Milan CEO Alessandro Antonello and Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil will represent the Serie A and La Liga respectively.

This announcement comes just a few months after 12 clubs from across the continent, including Spurs, tried to form a breakaway Europen Super League before being forced to abandon the idea after major protests from fans.

Whelan believes that despite Levy’s involvement in the Super League, the Premier League clubs wanted to keep the Tottenham chairman on their side.

When asked about the 59-year-old being elected into the ECA board, the former Leeds United striker told Football Insider: “He’s not afraid of falling out with people, is he?.

“He’ll fit right into that team of people on the board. He’s a businessman, he’s a very intelligent man as well. Runs a very good football club there.

“I’m sure he’ll be an added asset to the committee and the votes wouldn’t have gone lightly.

“They think about these ones, it’s a very important position. There’s a lot of respect that goes to Daniel Levy that other peers have gone and given him the backing in this role.

“You’re better off having somebody in there from one of these six (English Super League clubs) than none of them.

“You’ve got to have a voice, you’ve got to have somebody in there that was part of this breakaway.

“I think in the long run, it is more beneficial to have one of the bigger six on the board and on this committee to stay ahead of the curve and to stay in touch with everything.

“It’s a bit more about looking over it and making sure they’re doing the right thing. I think it’s the right thing to do.

“One of the top six should be in there and Daniel Levy’s got their backing on this one.”

Spurs Web Opinion 

Levy’s involvement in the ESL was never going to be a factor in the vote, considering that the other candidate, Soriano, was also guilty of the same with Manchester City. Besides, Inter and Atletico were also part of the 12 clubs that initially signed on to the breakaway league.

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