Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is in pain and has been ‘abandoned by other people’ at the managerless club as their miserable season in Leeds comes to an end on Sunday.
Levy has been the subject of angry protests as Spurs fans saw their team slide down the drain, face European football threats and are now two months without a permanent boss since Antonio Conte’s sacking in March.
But caretaker boss Ryan Mason, who fervently hopes this won’t be his last game in charge, believes Levy should be given some slack and Conte left them in an artificially false fourth spot when he left.
Director’s box footage of Levy looking pained has become common both before and during the streak of just two wins since the Italy coach left and Mason revealed, “It hurts him. It hurts everyone who is committed to this club and everyone who really cares and wants their club to be successful.
Levy has sanctioned more than £500m worth of transfers since their state-of-the-art stadium opened in 2019, but Mason is the fifth person to take charge of the team in that time – repeating the role he took on when Jose Mourinho was fired two years ago.
Tottenham interim boss Ryan Mason claims the club’s chairman Daniel Levy has been let down
Mason insists Levy wants the club to succeed and is hurt by their slide
Levy has faced angry protests from Spurs supporters in the final weeks of a difficult season
“One thing I want to say is that he spent money,” Mason added. ‘He tried. I just think he was probably abandoned by other people in the end. But that’s football. That is happening and hopefully we can make amends soon, make good decisions and turn things around.”
Conte left with Tottenham outside Europe and domestic cup competitions, but fourth in the Premier League, despite an unconvincing run of results and his extraordinary outburst at Southampton when he questioned Levy’s largely trophy-free running of the club and the dedication of his players.
The malaise worsened after his right-hand man Cristian Stellini took over and Mason, only 32 next month, is also struggling to get results.
Mason said he had to speak ‘fairly’, commenting: ‘We haven’t won an away game since January and conceded over 60 goals this season? So this is not something that has happened in recent weeks.
“Obviously we’ve been left in a position in the standings that is probably wrong, in terms of other teams having games in hand. If you tie them up, I think we were maybe seventh in the table. So there are a lot of things that probably weren’t true.’
The former Tottenham midfielder, who retired five years ago after a fractured skull, has stopped openly criticizing Conte and his style of play, but believes the club needs to take a new direction if it wants to compete for Champions League qualification or even trophies . again.
“One thing I want to say is I respect everyone I’ve worked with, I’ve learned a lot from people. But at the same time I am my own person. I have my own people and how I believe that not only this club, but every football club I am in in the future should work and operate.’
Mason shares the view that Levy needs to act quickly to secure a permanent contract, with Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou the latest bookies favourite, along with unemployed Brendan Rodgers, especially with the transfer window opening next month and club figurehead Harry Kane’s future uncertain again .
Mason believes the Spurs were in the wrong position when Antonio Conte was sacked in March
Tottenham Hotspur have had a dismal end to the season and could miss out on a place in Europe
Spurs remain without a permanent boss with Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou the latest favourite
“Each club will have its own history and DNA. I think historically Tottenham have always been a club with fast football, exciting, courageous and aggressive. I think our best years, our best results are probably the result of playing like that.
“In the summer I will look back and be bitterly disappointed with the results, because I really expected and wanted more. Like I said, it’s given me more faith in what I am, what my team is, the people around me, wherever we are in the next five, 10, 15, 20 years – and I have a lot of time on my hands. and plenty of time to grow – we will do well.
Mason concluded with a word about how his former teammate Kane has shared the burden and pain of yet another season of stuttering.
“Of course, sure (it hurts him). When a player who has come through the academy and really feels the club in him, it’s difficult,” said Mason.
“I also speak on behalf of our fans and everyone connected to the club who loves and cares, it’s been a tough season, it really has been. It’s been disappointing.’