Hugo Lloris Questions Tottenham's Desire to Win

Hugo Lloris, the former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper, expressed his discontent regarding an engraved watch presented to the team by chairman Daniel Levy after they reached the 2019 Champions League final. The watch, marked 'Champions League Finalist 2019,' irritated Lloris, who felt that celebrating a runner-up position was indicative of a defeatist mentality within the club. His tenure spanned 12 years without securing a trophy, culminating in disappointment with two League Cup final losses and the heartbreaking Champions League defeat to Liverpool. Lloris’s concerns grew after the final, where he expected a stronger reaction from both club officials and players regarding the loss. He believed that instead of accepting the defeat with a mere celebration of reaching the final, there should have been a commitment to improving and ensuring that such losses would not happen again. This sentiment resonated with other key figures like former manager Mauricio Pochettino and striker Harry Kane, raising questions about the club's ambition. The engraved watch, rather than being a symbol of achievement, became a reminder of missed opportunities. Lloris's disappointment was not just about the trophy but reflected a deeper unease about the culture within Tottenham. Respect for Levy remains, but Lloris feels that there are moments where leadership decisions reveal a stark discrepancy in aspirations between the hierarchy and the players. In summary, Lloris’s reflections have ignited discussions on the club’s mindset concerning victory and achievement, highlighting the need for a shift towards a winning culture that prioritizes success over mere participation.