Levy Role Debated as Spurs Ownership Questions Persist | OneFootball

Daniel Levy’s Departure: Spurs at a Crossroads

Daniel Levy’s removal as Tottenham Hotspur chairman after 24 years is one of the most seismic moments in modern football. As reported by Jack Pitt-Brooke in The Athletic, the decision was not as sudden as it might have seemed on Thursday evening. Instead, it was the culmination of months — perhaps years — of scrutiny from the Lewis family, who ultimately wielded their power as majority shareholders.

“At the start of this calendar year, they employed an American management consultancy firm Gibb River to examine why Tottenham had been underperforming on the field in recent years. This coincided with the appointment of the Lewis family’s man Charrington — now the non-executive chairman — onto the board.”

That revelation, unearthed by Pitt-Brooke, highlights how strategic this shake-up really was. Levy’s exit may have shocked Spurs supporters, but the groundwork had already been laid.

Why Levy’s Exit Matters Now

The arrival of Peter Charrington, a private banker with no football background, signals a decisive change in Tottenham’s direction. More importantly, Vinai Venkatesham’s appointment as CEO suggests the club is preparing for a very different type of governance — one that prioritises structure and long-term planning over Levy’s famed deal-making instinct.

“They want what the fans want,” a source close to the Lewis family told The Athletic. “More wins more often.”

For all Levy achieved — the new stadium, the rise of Spurs into a Champions League finalist — his reign increasingly felt like one of near misses. His critics point to the lack of trophies, while his defenders argue that he modernised Spurs into a global footballing force. Both are right. But football remains a sport measured in silverware, not balance sheets.

Ownership Speculation and the Question of Sale

Of course, Levy’s departure instantly reignites questions about Tottenham’s ownership. “Ever since ENIC bought Alan Sugar’s stake in 2000 there has been talk about a potential sale, and there were moments when a deal was close, such as when a Todd Boehly-led consortium nearly bought Spurs in 2019,” Pitt-Brooke reminded readers.

In recent years, Levy had floated the idea of selling a stake rather than the club outright. The logic was clear: bring in fresh investment, without losing control. But now, without Levy as executive chairman, the spotlight falls squarely on the Lewis family.

Despite whispers of suitors waiting in the wings, Pitt-Brooke stressed that “the club is not for sale.” Yet in football, such statements are often designed to steady the waters rather than settle them. With valuations sky-high and only a handful of investors capable of buying into a club of Spurs’ stature, any change would be seismic.

The Legacy and What Comes Next

Levy’s personal stake, held through discretionary trusts, ensures he remains influential behind the scenes. As Pitt-Brooke detailed, “special resolutions require 75 per cent approval – something that can’t happen at Spurs without the Levy trustees’ agreement.” That alone means his fingerprints won’t disappear overnight.

Still, the new era is already being framed. The women’s team has been singled out for investment, with new manager Martin Ho pointing out: “The strategy for the women’s team and the investments in the women’s team will continue, and no doubt you’ll see that over the course of the next six to 12 months in terms of our movements.”

That forward-looking approach contrasts sharply with the stagnation of Levy’s final years. His greatest triumph — the Mauricio Pochettino era — was also his greatest missed opportunity. Pitt-Brooke argued that Levy deserved credit for appointing Pochettino and Paul Mitchell, but lost alignment when he failed to refresh the squad. Spurs went from a Champions League final in 2019 to drift and discontent within three years.

Now, with Gibb River’s recommendations guiding the boardroom, the Lewis family face the ultimate test: can they turn Spurs from nearly men into genuine winners?

Final Thoughts

Levy leaves behind a complicated legacy. He transformed Tottenham off the pitch and set the conditions for success on it, but his caution and control ultimately became limitations. Spurs now stand on the edge of a new era — one promising ambition, structure, and perhaps overdue ruthlessness.

But for all the consultancy reviews and governance changes, success will always be judged in football’s simplest terms: victories, trophies, and the sense of progress on the pitch.