Tottenham owners promise ‘deep’ change to rebuild trust with fans after nightmare season | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur's majority owners, the Lewis family, have pledged to rebuild trust with disillusioned supporters and commit fully to bringing about significant change, following two consecutive 17th-place finishes in the Premier League.

The club narrowly avoided a catastrophic relegation this season, prompting widespread fan anger directed at the ownership and chief executive.

The recent campaign saw Spurs secure a crucial 1-0 victory against Everton on the final day, ensuring their Premier League survival by a mere two points. This came after a tumultuous season that witnessed the club cycle through three different head coaches.

Fans have frequently voiced their frustration at Enic, the holding company run by the Lewis family, and CEO Vinai Venkatesham, particularly after a year of considerable upheaval.

The club's long-serving chairman, Daniel Levy, who had been the primary decision-maker for nearly a quarter of a century despite Enic's majority ownership, was invited to step down in September. This move followed an extensive review into the club commissioned by the Lewis family.

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Vinai Venkatesham has received criticism from Tottenham fans (PA)

In a letter addressed to Tottenham fans, the Lewis family acknowledged their "bitter disappointment" with recent seasons and accepted "ultimate responsibility" for the club's current predicament. They assured supporters that a rebuilding process had commenced, with substantial investment planned to instigate "deep" change.

"To the fans, as owners of 25 years, we have lived the highs and lows of Spurs with you," the Lewis family stated in a message to the Press Association. "Finishing 17th this and last season does not reflect the stature or potential of this football club. We are bitterly disappointed and share your frustration. You, and we, expect more than this. We know this must never happen again."

They continued: "The problems we found were deeper than we realized and were allowed to build over the last few years. We know that has eroded trust and we have to win that back. As owners, we take ultimate responsibility for the situation in which the club finds itself.

“We also take responsibility for rebuilding Spurs. Our ambition is to recapture the spirit of the club and bring back the excitement, the fearlessness and the bold football we have always felt defined us. That means football comes first."

The family affirmed their financial commitment: "This will require investment – in our teams, the academy, our backroom functions and more – and we are fully committed to this. We are not selling the club. We are all in. We are investing in it. You will see more of this in the coming months.

“We care deeply about Spurs. The rebuilding the club needs, and you deserve, has begun. The change required is deep. It will take time and commitment, but change is happening. We know that actions will speak louder than words."

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Tottenham managed to stay up on the final day of the season (PA)

Significant injuries have plagued Tottenham over the past two seasons, leading to a review of the club's medical department, initiated by new performance director Dan Lewindon.

Lewindon is one of several key appointments supported by the Lewis family in the last year, alongside Rafi Moersen, who is set to join from City Football Group as director of football operations.

CEO Venkatesham, the first major hire by the Lewis family last April, has faced a challenging inaugural season. However, he retains strong internal support, having been tasked with rebuilding Spurs’ football department mid-season.

Venkatesham told BBC Sport: "The club had some serious challenges that it needs to address on the football side. We know what those are. We are addressing them. We are fixing them."