"We have to be optimistic about going forward and that is what I wish to concentrate on today", stated Levy, clearly wanting to ensure that the focus wasn't on the tumultuous events of the past few months. He continued by saying: "We have made changes recently in order to strengthen our position in several areas. This is a dynamic business and as such we have to constantly respond to changing circumstances, some within, but many outside, of our control".
Levy explained his silence despite widespread criticism of his treatment of Martin Jol, saying that the club had "took the clear decision that [it] would not discuss private matters in public" though few of the fans would agree that the policy had the desired effect. Indeed, with the media roundly condemning the clubs actions, it may have been prudent for the club to have defended itself rather than for it's name to have been dragged through the mud.
In regards to the playing staff, Levy was at pains to point out that all the key members of the squad, bar Jermain Defoe, are now on long term contracts, a point undoubtedly made to counter accusations, made during the aftermath of Jol's departure, that the club was only interested in selling it's key assets, rather than success on the field. The Chairman also moved to quash rumours that ENIC had agreed to sell it's Shareholding of the club, declaring: "For the record yet again, no offer has been made for the Club during my time here".
Undoubtedly keen to move on to a more positive note, Levy was at pains to point the financial progress of the club in the past year citing figures regarding turnover, which is up 39 per cent, and profits, which have risen to 31% of the club's turnover.
With the BBC program Inside Sport reporting a few weeks ago that the club had been hiring top architect's and planners with a view to making a final decision on the future of White Hart Lane, or indeed a new stadium, Levy confirmed that the club were narrowing their options. The details given were sparse but shareholders were assured that every effort was being made to ensure the correct decision is made. "There is no easy option for us but we are determined to find a solution. We shall announce our preferred option in the first half of 2008", Levy added. In an interview aired on Sky Sports later this evening Levy also said that fans had to look at the bigger picture in relation to the question of ground-sharing, saying that although the possibility of expanding White Hart Lane does not necessarily mean the club will definitely have to ground-share, the fans must be open minded and "can't have it both ways".
Despite no concrete information regarding the stadium, it was obvious that our Chairman was delighted with the progress of plans for the new training ground, explaining: "We achieved a terrific step forward with future plans when earlier this month Enfield Council Planning Committee voted to grant planning permission for our Football Training Centre - a combined First Team and Academy facility - at Bulls Cross, Enfield. We were absolutely delighted with this outcome."
There is little doubting the progress that Levy, and other club officials are making off the field. The creation of a world class training facility suggests the long term future of the club is bright and Levy will be hoping that his investment in his new coach pays off as well. There is no doubt the club paid big money to get their man and having been so publicly vilified over his treatment of Martin Jol, Levy has a very personal stake in Ramos' actions at the club. The Spaniard is his man and if he fails to deliver, it won't just be the former Sevilla man feeling the heat.