Levy, who stepped down as executive chairman in September after more than two decades overseeing Spurs, spoke candidly after receiving a CBE from William, Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle on Wednesday for services to charity and the community in Tottenham.

Tottenham sit just two points above the relegation zone with two matches remaining after a disastrous 2026 campaign that saw them spend months entrenched near the bottom of the table. Although Spurs have collected eight points from their last four games to ease immediate fears, Levy admitted the situation had left him feeling "emptiness".

"But I'm optimistic that we will remain in the Premier League," he said.

Asked whether he had ever sensed the club could fall into such danger during his time at the helm, Levy replied: "Never, no, not in a million years."

The 64-year-old was instrumental in transforming Tottenham commercially and infrastructurally, most notably through the construction of the 1 billion pound Tottenham Stadium. During his tenure, Spurs also reached the 2019 Champions League final and won the Europa League last season, though silverware remained limited overall.

Reflecting on his ambitions for the club, Levy admitted he had hoped for more major honours.

"What I would have hoped for is winning the Premier League, winning the Champions League… easier said than done," he said.

Levy was often criticised by supporters who believed the club's business growth came at the expense of success on the pitch, despite Tottenham becoming one of the Premier League's wealthiest and most commercially successful clubs under his leadership.

Still, Levy defended the club's wider impact on the local area.

"I think Tottenham fans should be proud that the club has made such a fantastic contribution to the local population," he said, referencing work in education, health, social inclusion and job creation linked to the stadium project.

Despite stepping away from his executive role, Levy insisted he would continue following Spurs closely.

"It's in my blood," he said.

Levy also revealed he shared a brief football exchange with Prince William, a well-known Aston Villa supporter, during the ceremony.

"I thanked him for allowing us to beat Aston Villa when we played them a few weeks ago," Levy joked.

"He wished us luck the rest of the season, very much hoping that Tottenham survive in the Premier League."

Daniel Levy stunned by Tottenham's relegation fight season after stepping down as chairman