Why Gary Neville believes Tottenham Hotspur are the modern day Leeds United

An interesting comparison...
Gary Neville. (Image: Getty)Gary Neville. (Image: Getty)
Gary Neville. (Image: Getty)

Gary Neville has compared the current Tottenham Hotspur side to David O'Leary's Leeds United outfit.

Speaking on Monday Night Football Retro, the former Manchester United full-back admitted his belief that the Whites side around the turn of the century had a familiar feel to the modern day Spurs outfit.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

O'Leary - who was in charge at Elland Road for a four-year spell from 1998 to 2002 - guided his side to the semi-finals of the Champions League but failed to land a major trophy during his tenure.

"I think Tottenham are the modern equivalent of that Leeds team," Neville told Sky Sports.

"Tottenham haven't gone onto do what they should have done - maybe they should have won the league the year Leicester won it and could have won a Champions League with a little more luck.

"This Tottenham team is now coming to an end or has come to an end. Teams like Leeds caught you up but never went on to do it. There was something missing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have had history to build on to win trophies, there's a mentality within the club to win trophies. Leeds were trying to build that mentality during that period.

"You always felt Leeds were getting nearer and nearer - like Tottenham were getting nearer and nearer. And then you think, how are they going to get back?

"Leeds has always felt like a huge club. When I get asked what is a big club I always think of Leeds United. The feeling when you go and play football there is unbelievable - it's different."