Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy states he wants club to become one of Europe’s most successful teams

Tottenham Hotspur finished fifth in Barclays Premier League
Spurs have now missed out on Champions League for fifth straight year
Daniel Levy and Mauricio Pochettino confirm Harry Kane will stay
Levy assured Spurs supporters that new stadium was priority

Published:
10:24 GMT, 29 May 2015

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Updated:
11:41 GMT, 29 May 2015

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Daniel Levy has told Tottenham Hotspur supporters that reaching the Champions League and competing regularly at a higher level remains the club’s ambition.

Spurs finished fifth in the Barclays Premier League this term, making it five years since the north London outfit last reached Europe’s premier club competition.

But Levy, who along with club manager Mauricio Pochettino was answering fan questions on Facebook, remains confident that Spurs can break into Europe’s elite, with the new stadium a key stepping stone.

Harry Kane controls the ball in training for Tottenham at the ANZ Stadium ahead of a friendly with Sydney

Kane smiles as he performs stretches alongside team-mate Federico Fazio during training

Daniel Levy looks on during Tottenham’s post season friendly against Malaysia XI on Wednesday

Levy meets the Malaysian XI before Tottenham’s 2-1 which started the club’s post season tour

‘We want be one of the most successful clubs in Europe, ‘Levy said. ‘The new stadium will be a game changer for us. It will create revenues that we can invest in the first team and deliver success on the pitch – so that is a priority for us.

Spurs had initially planned for a stadium to be built around the existing White Hart Lane and Levy explained why the club have decided to move away for a season instead, while also confirming there are modifications due to be added subject to a planning application.

Levy added: ‘Construction risk and timing – potential contractors raised concerns and we do not want to add risks that could delay the opening.

‘The delay caused by the CPO means we need to concentrate even further on the build time programme – it’s the same as when you renovate a house, you can always do it quicker if you’re not living in it at the same time.

‘We have updated elements and we shall be making planning applications for these and running that in parallel with the works continuing on the ground.’

The Tottenham owner also admitted that despite an increase of TV money to Premier League clubs, it would remain highly unlikely for the additional revenue to trickle down to the fans due to the difficulty in getting the unanimous agreement of all Premier League clubs.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino kicks the ball around with his playing staff during the Friday training session

Spurs train at the ANZ Stadium, with a giant scoreboard highlighting their friendly with Sydney on Saturday

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (centre) joins in with team-mates for Friday training

Ryan Mason gestures with a smile as Tottenham team-mate Eric Dier performs kick-ups

Kane (left) and Andros Townsend look on as Tottenham players are put through their paces by a team coach

Daniel Levy and Mauricio Pochettino answer bizarre Spurs fan questions

If you could be any fruit, what fruit would you be and why?

DL: ‘A watermelon because it’s thick skinned and I need that in this job!’

MP: ‘I would be a coconut because I am tough outside, sweet inside and very healthy’

What’s the fastest animal on earth?

BOTH: ‘Cheetah and Usain Bolt!’

What are your favourite TV programmes?

DL: ‘For me, it’s Homeland!’

MP: ‘I don’t watch a lot of TV! I prefer films. I watched Ex-machine with my family, it was a silly film but it is good to spend time with the family. I also watched Unbroken with Angelina Jolie as the director.’

‘I think it’s an important consideration – the difficulty is every club has a different approach to ticket pricing, we operate in a competitive environment (especially given Financial Fair Play) and therefore it will be impossible to get all the clubs to agree and it can’t happen without every club in agreement.

Tottenham sold Gareth Bale to Real Madrid for £86million in 2013, but much of their investment on replacements has since gone unrewarded.

Instead it’s been young players from the club’s academy such as Harry Kane, Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb that have made the biggest impact on the first team.

Levy states that final say on players coming into the team has always needed approval from the head coach, while also outlining the club will continue to invest in youth.

Levy added: ‘As has always been the case the coach always makes the final decision.

‘I think a balance is needed but you can be sure we shall always be a club that embraces youth.

‘Every club wants to do their business early but there are always three parties involved. Since the transfer window came most of the transactions take place in the final two weeks of the window.’

Pochettino also spoke on his plans for the future, as the manager (along with Levy) confirmed Harry Kane would be staying at the club.

Tottenham Hotspur have plans to move out of White Hart Lane for one season in 2017-18

The club have plans to build a new stadium at White Hart Lane hoping to be completed by the 2018-19 season

The club have previously released plans showing a one tier stand for their new stadium

Kane has been a revelation in his breakthrough year at White Hart Lane, scoring 31 goals and his form has attracted the attention of Manchester United who have been tempted to make a £45m move for the 21-year-old.

The England striker confirmed on Tottenham’s Far East post-season tour he would remain at White Hart Lane, and that’s good news for Pochettino who also confirmed he plans to use Alex Pritchard next season following the midfielder’s fine season in the Championship with Brentford.

‘Yes of course,’ Pochettino said. ‘He is in our plans for next season. He starts pre-season when he gets back from the Euros and we are looking forward to having him back after a successful loan with Brentford.

‘We need to create a good environment and the right mentality in the squad. It is important that we improve our consistency and sign players with the right profile to give balance to the team, that is the key.

‘We need to get the balance in the squad through our knowledge, the way we see the squad and what we want from them to deliver the style. You put this all together then you can decide which profile of player you need to fit the style, and this is how you get the right balance in the squad. It is a process, it’s not about a mix of youth with experience.’