Levy admits to fans that Tottenham lost sight of ‘some key priorities’

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy admitted he lost sight of the “club’s DNA” but says he has its best interests at heart amid fierce recent criticism of his tenure.

Spurs supporters have pro tested against Levy and the club’s ENIC owners for their part in the failed European Super League as well as a perceivedlack of investment in the squad over recent years.

His decision to originally furlough staff at the start of the pandemic, one he subsequently reversed, and charged fans £60 to watch Spurs’ final home game of the season against AstonVilla yesterday, when some clubs are charging half that price for tickets, have been other bones of contention.

Levy, who is in the midst of a recruitment process for Jose M our in ho’ s replacement and a battle to keep star striker Harry Kane, defended his intentions but conceded the club veered off track.

“As a club we have been so focused on delivering the stadium and dealing with the impact of the pandemic, that I feel we lost sight of some key priorities and what’s truly in our DNA,” he said in his programme notes for the Villa game, where 10,000 fans will be back in the stadium.

“Our work in the communityand with the NHS is an example

of when we get it right, but we don’t get everything right. It has never been because we don’ t care about or respect you, our fans–nothing could be further from the truth.

“The new stadium is pivotal to generating revenues to invest in the squad. Every single penny generated gets re-invested back into our club.

“We are absolutely clear that central to our ambitions is a successful football team – it is what we all crave. We have come close over the last seven season sand everyone’ s focus is on a return to regular Champions League participation and competing for honours.

“I have said it many times and I will say it again – everything we do is in the long-term interests of the club. I have always been and will continue to be ambitious for our club and its fans.”

Matters on the pitch have not helped as Spurs will endure another trophyless season.

It looked optimistic as under Mourinho they were at the top of the Premier League in December and made it through to the Carabao Cup final.

But things turned sour, the style of football was turgid, M our in how as sacked and now the best Spurs can hope for is a Europa League spot – something which will not appease wantaway Kane.