Now it is the task of another man, Juande Ramos, to fulfill these lofty expectations. The man from Seville, who gave up a place in the competition with his former club to replace Martin Jol, believes he can achieve this considerable task, but only if the board's already considerable investment continues.
Ramos told The Guardian: "I like the Champions League and it would be nice if Tottenhem were there competing with them. Its what we're aiming to do. We want to fight to remove one of the top four teams and get there ourselves."
Of those teams, Liverpool look the most vulnerable but can hardly be expected not to strengthen during the summer. Rafa Benitez's team are inconsistent in the league yet nigh on unbeatable in Europe, and Ramos will recognise parallels in his own side. Since taking over the reigns in October Ramos' Tottenham have dazzled and frustrated in equal measure.
These inconsistencies are partly a product of the nature of the club's season, and it is telling that since winning the Carling Cup in February they have managed just two league wins. The cup triumph guaranteed European football at White Hart Lane next season, an achievement that looked impossible after a dreadful start to the season saw Martin Jol's side languishing in the relegation zone.
Now Ramos must use the attraction of European football to bring players in and to persuade one particular player to stay. Dimitar Berbatov has yet to rule out the possibility of leaving the club in the summer but Ramos' impact has made a strong impression on the Bulgarian and the Spaniard remains confident he can persuade the forward to stay for at least one more push for the Champions League.
One way Berbatov can be persuaded is if players of a similar calibre are bought in over the summer. Ramos has, for the first time, a sustained period free from the pressure of competitive football for which to spend recruiting new talent. Despite the prevailing economic uncertainty, he is likely to get the substantial war chest he was promised when he signed up.
"[The budget] is an internal situation we have to look at. The teams in the Champions League are there because they have the highest budgets and the best players. The best of the best are not the oldest, experienced or youngest. It is not about the players' ages if they are good enough," said Ramos.
Since penalties cost the club a place in the quarter final of the UEFA Cup, Ramos has had little to do during the week and has been left to console himself with watching the Champions League games on television.
"It is strange when Wednesdays come round and, yes, I miss it and want to be part of it again. I looked for positive things in the games. I did not jump up and down and celebrate the goals."
It is his ambition that his Wednesday's won't stay free for too much longer.