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Tottenham Hotspur Links: Daniel Levy is the World’s Best Chairman

By Alexander Balano

Tottenham Hotspur Chairman Daniel Levy during a visit to the Qatar's ASPIRE Academy. // March 13, 2012 -- Picture by Vinod Divakaran of Doha Stadium Plus Qatar
Tottenham Hotspur Chairman Daniel Levy during a visit to the Qatar's ASPIRE Academy. // March 13, 2012 -- Picture by Vinod Divakaran of Doha Stadium Plus Qatar /
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Here’s the December 5th edition of Tottenham Hotspur Links.

There may only be two stories for today’s Tottenham Hotspur Links but of course the less stories, the more there is to talk about them. And today Hotspur HQ brings to you a Mauricio Pochettino/Daniel Levy story and a Harry Kane/Teddy Sheringham story.

Up first, Daniel Levy has been called the world’s best chairman according to Mauricio Pochettino. And finally, Teddy Sheringham believes that while Harry Kane is doing fine staying with Tottenham until his contract runs out. It’s best for the 22-year-old English striker to move to a bigger club. Let’s get to the links.

RELATED: Tottenham Links: Togetherness is Key for Mauricio Pochettino

To almost everyone who knows Daniel Levy, he is shone in a negative light. Mostly because of his track record when it comes to Sacking managers and dragging out transfer negotiations. While these two things are true that hasn’t deterred Mauricio Pochettino during these past 18 months since taking over as Tottenham’s new manager. The 46-year-old Argentinian has become the 10th coach to manage Tottenham since Daniel Levy became chairman back in 2001.

Managers sacked by Daniel Levy

  1. George Graham (2001)
  2. Glenn Hoddle (2001-03)
  3. David Pleat (2003-04)
  4. Jacques Santini (2004)
  5. Martin Jol (2005-07)
  6. Juande Ramos (2008)
  7. Harry Redknapp (2008-12)
  8. André Villas-Boas (2012-13)
  9. Tim Sherwood (2013-14)

Despite taking over a very unstable job with nine men leaving in a span of 13 years, Pochettino still had good things to say to his chairman. “For me, he is one of the best presidents in England or the world,” Pochettino said. “He’s very clever. I’ve learned a lot from him in every meeting. I have to be really strong. I don’t have an agent so he offers me a contract and I say yes, no, or I want more. It was very tough. He won.”

It’s very easy to dismiss this notion that Daniel Levy is supposedly the “world’s best chairman” in football and while Mauricio Pochettino isn’t saying this halfheartedly — he does mean it — he also acknowledges that it’s difficult for people to understand how Levy is like as a person in daily conversations.

"“Before all I heard was he sacked managers and was very tough,” Pochettino said. “He has been really kind with me. He is a president who cares a lot about the club and the people. It is true that he pushes us which is very good for the club.”“For me, Daniel is a brilliant man. He is very friendly with me. We have a very good relationship and the way he suffers for Tottenham, for his club, for the people. He is very sensitive in that but sometimes it’s difficult to show that to you and our supporters.”"

To hear that Daniel Levy cares a lot about the club and the people, it definitely shows with the Northumberland Development Project that’s happening right now.

To no one’s surprise, Manchester United are still interested in signing Tottenham striker Harry Kane. One Spurs legend who has played for both clubs, Teddy Sheringham, believes that Kane should actually make the switch to join the Red Devils at Old Trafford… after remaining with Tottenham until his contract expires that is.

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Sheringham, was quoted and said: ‘I’d like to think that (contract) keeps him at Tottenham for another couple of years, at least. The game is all about timing. Sometimes you can leave a club too early and join a bigger club when the timing isn’t quite right.”

Timing is everything. When Sheringham joined Manchester United sandwiched between two stints with Spurs from 1992-97 and 2001-03, the striker ended up wining seven major championships and two individual awards.

Major championships won with Manchester United (1997-01)

  • 3x Premier League champion (1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01)
  • FA Cup (1998-99)
  • FA Charity Shield/Community Shield (1997)
  • UEFA Chmapions League (1999)
  • Intercontinental Cup (1999)

Individual awards won with Manchester United (1997-01)

  • PFA Players’ Player of the Year (2000-01)
  • FWA Footballer of the Year (2000-01)

Teddy Sheringham won championships after leaving Tottenham. Granted this happened when Sir Alex Ferguson was managing the Red Devils and all they did was win trophies on an almost yearly basis. That being said, transferring from one club to another can mean two things in today’s age of football: winning championships or getting better as a player overall — to test yourself among the best in the world.

Next: Tottenham's Unbeaten Streak Intact Through Another Draw

Perhaps, it’s both things that players want to achieve. But to Sheringham, with regards to Harry Kane, staying with Spurs is more of gaining your confidence, remaining as the best player on the team and just enjoying football as a whole.

“For Harry to sign again for Tottenham and know that he’s going to be there for the next couple of years at least is great for him to settle down, enjoy his football. To know you will be King Pin there gives you a lot of confidence.”

But asked what Teddy Sheringham would consider as advice when moving to a different club, especially to Manchester United: ‘Tell him not to wait too long, though. Not as long as I waited. I was 31 by the time I went to Man United.”