Tottenham Hotspur: Daniel Levy prepares to celebrate 20 years as Tottenham’s chairman

Former Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore would often use Levy as a sounding board, partly because he was well connected and switched on but also because he could be trusted not to divulge the information.

By nature he is more comfortable having chats with smaller groups rather than grandstanding for public consumption, which is why interviews with him are so rare.

“I have always found Daniel to be intelligent, calm and considerate,” said Pleat. “He has never shouted his mouth off in public. He has never been critical of management or supporters. He has played a very crucial and important role in knowing when to speak and when to let things ride.”

It can only be imagined how much time and stress were involved in building the training ground – opened in 2012 – and Tottenham’s magnificent £1.2bn stadium, given Levy has been described as both a true visionary and a control freak, a man who works 24/7.

Neither of these centre-piece elements of the Tottenham story happened by accident.

Pleat regards the training centre as Levy’s greatest legacy. It was constructed in a way that allows parents to plot the progress of their child as they go through the building. The club view it as a major asset in persuading youngsters to join them.

There is the famous story of Levy attending the formal opening of the Football Association’s St George’s Park training facility in the Midlands. Levy was in attendance, he said quietly, because he wanted to see whether it was better than his own. He decided quickly it wasn’t.

The stadium is described by club insiders as “a game changer”. It is unique in having deals in place for the world’s two most popular sporting leagues – the Premier League and NFL – to play matches in it.

It is a status symbol – Levy pushed for the additional seats which make it the biggest club ground in London – and, once conditions allow, it will become a cash cow. It has already helped Tottenham generate the highest matchday income in the Premier League.

Levy believes it will be transformative both for the club and the area, although the short-term financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic – it will cost the club around £150m this season – will delay the impact.

There is no doubt what is described as a “long-term journey” has, overall, been positive. After failing to record a single top-six finish in the decade before Levy’s arrival, Tottenham have done so 13 times in the two decades since.

The glaring issue is a lack of silverware since the 2008 League Cup, the only trophy they have won during Levy’s time at the helm.

He wants it to happen – ideally when Tottenham play Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on 25 April.

He knows there are no guarantees, either then or in the future, but without external funding he has created all the component parts required for Tottenham to be successful.

“Daniel comes under a lot of pressure but what he is creating is just top,” said Jenas.

“They aren’t going away. You don’t build that for it to go away. There is no doubt they need trophies but would you get Mourinho if you didn’t have that stadium? Would they be linked with Julian Nagelsmann, one of Europe’s most up-and-coming managers?

“Tottenham are looked at as a top club in Europe.”