Most of that video is quite encouraging. Wage bill proportionate to revenue is one of those key indicators that often suggest that a club is dancing a bit close to the edge, and we've always been - and remain - strong on that count. Most everything about it suggests a club that is well organized financially. Still, the video rather blithely sets aside a billion pounds (a billion effing pounds!) of debt by merely saying it's not due for years. Granted, that's significant given the club's ability to generate revenue over those intervening years ... but that still doesn't make it go away anywhere near as easily as it does in the video's script.
I would say that Levy has built a solid foundation for success* with the new stadium and training facilities. Now they desperately need to get the football right. If the squad remains full of lazy, choking donkeys, then prize money won't flow in and stadium seats will be empty. Without success on the pitch, the whole thing crumbles. Levy is smart enough to know this. The Mourinho gamble didn't work out, but Conte and Paratici seem to be on the right track. * "Success" = being in the top 4 regularly and occasionally winning something
Success on the pitch would be nice, but the stadium was built so Levy and Lewis could cash in when a sugar daddy comes in for the club. Levy has shown time and again that he lacks the ruthlessness you need as a chairman at this level to win trophies. Case in point was the hiring of Antonio Conte - it should have been a done deal in the summer, but Levy bottled the negotiations. Just think about where we might be if we had signed the Italian in the summer.
Just coming here to recommend this video. It really educated me on how clubs operate, particularly Spurs.
At the point where the debt comes due they may renegotiate it on new terms. I think sooner rather than later is better, but I'm NOT good with money. It just seems with present interest rates low, you get the biggest bang for the buck paying down the loan now. Levy may have structured it that way to make sure the team is financially able to be agile in the player market and to provide cushion for unexpected events. That ended up quite wise with CoVid not really being known before January 2020 and not really understood in actual impact until months later.
The Beeb is showing a two-part documentary on Gazza. They aired the first episode today. Lots of archived footage. Highly recommended watch.
I wish they'd stop flogging that dead horse of a story. Should just leave him alone to his fishing. He's very vulnerable and sick.
It goes into how the press hounded and used him. It's so far the best tribute to the man I've ever seen.
While not a video (I may change the title of the thread to "media") - this interview with our Glenn was fascinating. The George Weah part blew me away. https://stak.london/episodes/the-drop-in-glenn-hoddle/ Edit: changed the link to a non-specific platform link.
Sure, basically they go through Hoddle's career and the Weah stuff (I forgot that he played for Wenger there) was just talking about how raw George was when he was trial at Monaco. They talked about his managerial stints as well and his England sacking. He said he was fortunate to join Spurs since they were one of the few technical teams at a time of long ball dominance, which allowed him to grow as a player. Really interesting things. It's also on other platforms if you use them for podcasts (Apple, Google, Acast, TuneIn). Here's the actual link to the episode from their site. Also as a bonus, Kate Mason (Spurs fan, formerly of Sky Sports) is the interviewer. I have a *slight* crush on her.
A very interesting interview with former player, interim-manager, current coach, and Thread-of-Famer, Ryan Mason. Well worth a listen. Loves the club. Don't be surprised if he manages it (again) some day. How to make the comeback bigger than the setback.🚀@RyanMason suffered a devastating, career ending injury on the football field. Today he reveals how he rebuilt his life. It’s a deeply emotional, reflective listen. 🎧: https://t.co/rpcsv4F7Cf pic.twitter.com/uHjRYIwe6H— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) March 13, 2023
^ Great analysis. @Golara Check out the 8th minute mark. He compares the transfer strategies between Spurs and Arsenal.