Daniel Levy reveals Tottenham fixture desire as Ange Postecoglou warns schedule close to 'breaking point'

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has said the club would like to play "less games" but of "higher quality", and has backed "changes in some of our competitions" to ease the packed fixture schedule.

Levy was speaking at the club's annual fan forum on Monday night, where Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou warned the schedule was at "breaking point" and that players could take direct action if nothing changes.

From this season, clubs in UEFA's European competitions, including Spurs, will play eight games in the initial phase, up from six, while FIFA is pushing ahead with plans for a 32-team Club World Cup in the USA next summer, further swelling the calendar.

Postecoglou said: "I think it is getting close to breaking point and if the authorities ignore it, I think the players will take it into their own hands."

Asked for his own view, Levy said: "I agree there's too many games.

"But the problem we have, the particular problem in England is we have an extra cup competition compared to the rest of Europe.

"And in Europe, the most important fixtures for the big teams is European competitions, whereas here we have the Premier League which is the hardest league in the world, yet we still want to do well in Europe. So it's a particular problem for the English teams and I do think it's a problem.

"The friendlies for the international tournaments is another problem, particularly for someone like Sonny [Spurs captain Heung-min Son] who has to travel so far for his country.

"I think it's a FIFA issue that's going to have to be compromised with UEFA but I do have a lot of sympathy for the players.

"As a club, we would like to see less games but higher-quality games. So if that means we have to see some changes in some of our competitions, then so be it. I think in the end that's in the long-term interest of the players."

Asked if the authorities were listening to the concerns of players and clubs, Levy added: "I think there's been a lot more noise in the last few months than there has been [previously], but I think it's a bigger problem in England than the rest of Europe."

Meanwhile, Levy revealed Spurs would be increasing investment in their academy and said the club does not instruct Postecoglou to only target young players.

The club signed three teenagers in the summer transfer window, Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Wilson Odobert, while Luka Vuskovic, 17, and Min-hyeok Yang, 18, will join Postecoglou's squad next year.

"Our view is we want to play a certain way," Levy said. "I don't think we're dictating to Ange that he can only sign a young player. He will sign who he feels is best for his team.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy

"Obviously we feel that bringing young players through the academy is what Spurs fans want to see. That's why we're going to be putting more resources into the academy because we love seeing a player come all the way through and he's one of our own.

"As a result of that, we'll end up probably being younger than we otherwise would be."

Levy also said he hopes to host more women's team fixtures at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in future.

Arsenal Women now count the Emirates Stadium as their main home but Robert Vilahamn's Spurs side continue to play the majority of their home games at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road, though they will face Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea at the main ground this season.

Levy said: "We see a lot of growth in the women's game. We're some years behind our rivals and we have to accept that.

"As a result we want to make sure when we host games at this stadium, we have a good attendance. There's no point in having 10,000-15,000 people here in a 63,000-seater stadium. The intention is to have as many games here as possible."