Jermain Defoe defends Daniel Levy and says Tottenham are ‘set up for success’ | OneFootball

There is nothing more Tottenham legend Jermain Defoe would like to see this season than his former club to end their trophy drought and win the Europa League.

Under fire Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has pledged to deliver a trophy in his second season in charge. That should take the heat off chairman Daniel Levy, who has been the subject of recent protests against his running of the club.

Defoe, who scored a stunning 143 goals in 363 appearances for the club, was a key man in the last Spurs side to win a trophy, when they triumphed in the  2008 League Cup final.

And he believes a taste of glory will be just reward for the efforts Levy has put into turning the club into one of the biggest in Europe.

Speaking courtesy of bet365’s new Sub On, Play On product, he explained: “Daniel must sit there at games with his family, see the protests and think ‘am I missing something here?’

“The training ground is the best, the stadium’s the best, the infrastructure is there too. You talk about managers and he has brought in the best managers including Mourinho, Conte, Pochettino. He can only do so much. He doesn’t pick the team. He doesn’t do the training.

“It’s not his fault that we’ve had all these injuries. It’s not his fault that we’re 14th in the league. So it’s a difficult one. I always appreciated Daniel Levy when I was a player there and later when I coached in the academy.

“Now, if they can win a trophy, it could transform them in terms of instilling a winning belief or culture. What happens is, once you win the first you get that hunger for more.

“When you experience that high and all the celebrations, and I suppose the respect that you get from people, then naturally it’s like, ’okay, when’s the next one?

“On top of that he young players coming through will also have that hunger and belief that they can do it too. If it happens, and there’s a chance it would be amazing for the club.”

To stand any chance of going all the way this season, Postecoglou first has to plot the downfall of AZ Alkmaar, who hold a one-goal advantage from their last 16 first leg in Holland last week.

And whatever the outcome Defoe believes it would be wrong to lay the blame for Tottenham’s below par season at the feet of Levy.

He concluded: “Maybe he needs more help with the people around him. He can’t do everything. You can be the the king of the castle or the captain of the ship, but you still need help. A lot of big clubs are frustrated at their lack of trophies, but Tottenham are set up for success.”