Tottenham Hotspur mark one year since the dismissal of chairman Daniel Levy this Friday, a period defined by heavy investment and a challenging start to the new campaign. The club's post-Levy hierarchy, led by manager Roberto De Zerbi, has overseen record spending but currently sits bottom of the Premier League with zero points from two matches.
The club have conceded five goals without scoring in their opening fixtures, leaving them six points behind early leaders Manchester City. This difficult opening provides a stark backdrop to the anniversary of a seismic change at the top.
The end of Levy's 24-year personal rule triggered a reset in strategy. Tottenham have since spent bigger fees than ever before, breaking their transfer record three times in one summer to sign Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, and Savio. The club also committed to salaries for new signings and contract renewals for players like Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven that far exceed previous levels.
An injection of £100 million ($135 million) at the start of the recent transfer window fueled this activity. The approach in the market became more pragmatic, with the club moving players on more readily instead of waiting for perfect deals. This has resulted in a stronger, deeper squad than Spurs have fielded for years.
The on-field results in the year since the reset have been mixed. Tottenham have won just eight of their 37 Premier League games in that period, averaging 0.94 points per game. A late winner from Joao Palhinha at Wolverhampton Wanderers last season was a high point, helping the team clamber over West Ham United in the final weeks.
The current season, however, has begun poorly. The team's standings show they are 20th, with a goal difference of minus five. A significant injury list compounds these problems, with key attackers Richarlison, Wilson Odobert, Xavi Simons, James Maddison, and new signing Sávio all currently sidelined.
The transition was not seamless. The post-Levy leadership was criticized for a slow January transfer window and for retaining manager Thomas Frank for too long before pivoting to Igor Tudor. Some observers argue that Levy's final appointments left Spurs with a squad no longer fit for Premier League purpose.
Roberto De Zerbi's subsequent appointment is widely seen as a rescue act. The Italian has been given unambiguous backing, perhaps more than even he anticipated. This support places significant pressure on De Zerbi to deliver results this season to defend both his own reputation and that of the club's new decision-makers.
The immediate focus is on halting the poor start. Tottenham's next fixture is an away match against Nottingham Forest on September 5th. Forest currently sit 15th in the table, making it a critical opportunity for Spurs to get their first points of the campaign. Fans can check the full fixtures schedule for the season ahead.
While the long-term judgment on Levy's dismissal remains open, the short-term mandate is clear. De Zerbi must use his strengthened squad to quickly improve results. The club's extensive summer investment means expectations are high, and patience may be short after such a costly rebuild. Tottenham travel to face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday.
