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Daniel Levy, Tottenham Hotspur's chairman, has candidly acknowledged missteps in appointing Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte as head coaches for the Premier League outfit. Emphasizing a need to reconnect with the club's traditional ethos, Levy highlighted the strategic shift marked by the appointment of Ange Postecoglou.
Tottenham's quest for significant silverware hit rocky waters over recent years. Notable managerial stints by Conte, ex-Juventus coach, and Mourinho culminated without trophy successes. Their departures, separated by three years, left a void in leadership and raised questions about the club's direction.
Levy, often at the receiving end of fans' ire due to a trophy drought since 2008, conceded the pull of ambition. The allure of lavish spending and celebrity management, he admitted, swayed his judgments.
The ousting of Mauricio Pochettino in 2019 was pivotal for Spurs. Now helming Chelsea, Pochettino had steered Tottenham to a tantalizingly close Champions League triumph a few months prior. Reflecting on subsequent managerial choices, Levy labelled the hunt for 'trophy managers' an error.
"I had gone through a period where we'd almost won, with Mauricio we went through some very, very good times. We didn't quite get there but we came very close, and we had a change of strategy," Levy said.
"The strategy was let's bring in a trophy manager and we did it twice. You have to learn by the mistakes," he added.
However, the winds of change are palpable with Postecoglou at the helm. His leadership has propelled Tottenham to its most promising league season start in nearly six decades. A mere two points shy of league leaders Manchester City, Spurs are in robust form.
While Levy hailed Mourinho and Conte's managerial prowess, he intimated that their approaches diverged from Tottenham's core values. The chairman accentuated the club's commitment to a distinct style of play, even if it means patiently awaiting triumphs. In Postecoglou, Levy sees a reflection of Tottenham's identity and a harbinger of future success.
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