Levy wants Spurs fans to understand the decisions the club has made

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has launched a defence of the way he has run the club in a lengthy open letter to fans, posted on the club's website.

Levy explained why he sacked manager Juande Ramos and the appointment of Harry Redknapp on Saturday evening.

He also said sacked sporting director Damien Comolli will not be replaced, with Redknapp advising on transfers.

"It is the right time for us to return to a traditional style of football management at our club," said Levy.

"At this stage where Tottenham is, we need a fighter. We need someone who has inspiration.

"I'm a Spurs fan and it's a sickening feeling seeing Spurs where they are and we need to get back up where we belong, which is near the top."

Read Levy's letter to fans on Tottenham's website

Many fans criticised Comolli's role at Spurs, believing there was not always agreement between the sporting director and the manager about the coming and going of players.

While Levy refused to blame any individuals, he did reveal that he had become uncertain about the player recommendations he was receiving.

He said: "We have spent about �175m on new players over the last three years. The purchasing of new players is a critical aspect of our club.

"Given our current position, it is essential that we go into the January transfer window with absolute confidence being offered to the board."

606: DEBATE Why do people need to keep having a go a Levy? We now have a new manager and Comolli is out - that's what we wanted, isn't it? tottenham_boi

Levy also addressed the issue of the close-season sales of strikers Dimitar Berbatov to Manchester United and Robbie Keane to Liverpool.

Those were decisions that many feel have significantly contributed to Spurs sitting bottom of the Premier League, on only two points and without a win in eight games.

"Robbie Keane's departure was undoubtedly the shock of the summer," Levy said. "He was the one player I thought would end his career at the club.

"I was disappointed when Robbie told me he wanted to join what he described as his favourite boyhood club.

"Against this background, the coaching staff felt it would be very difficult to expect Robbie to continue to be such a positive influence in our dressing room when he so clearly wanted to leave us.

I do not seek high profile, I do not crave publicity, and I would prefer our team to make the headlines for the right reasons Daniel Levy

"The sale of Dimitar was an entirely different matter. He first intimated to [then-manager] Martin Jol that he wanted to join Manchester United after just one season at our club.

"That was just 10 days before the end of the summer 2007 transfer window. I would not allow him to go at that time as it was a completely unreasonable request.

"But eventually the decision to sell him was because it was felt he had not been a positive influence on the football pitch or in the dressing room and this would continue."

Spurs' start to the season is their worst ever and supporters have made their displeasure clear on the sale of players, the structure of the club and also the manager.

Fans have also directed their anger at Levy, who made a plea for their understanding.

He said: "I know I am sometimes criticised for appearing too business-focused, too uncommunicative, or simply for not being emotional enough when it comes to our team.

"I do not seek high profile, I do not crave publicity, and I would prefer our team to make the headlines for the right reasons."

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