LONDON - Nearly a year after his departure, former Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy finds himself conspicuously absent from the club's daily operations, yet his shadow looms large. Tottenham, currently mired in a desperate fight to avoid relegation – sitting precariously one point above the drop zone with West Ham United – has seen its fortunes falter in the seasons following Levy's exit. The club's current chief executive, Vinai Venkatesham, has pointedly assigned blame for the club's steep decline to Levy's past stewardship, a narrative that resurfaces amidst the growing panic.
Levy, who presided over the club for almost 25 years, stepped down in early September 2025. While official statements suggested a voluntary "step down," sources indicated a removal, a move that reportedly surprised club staff more than Levy himself. Despite retaining a shareholder stake in the ownership group ENIC, his direct influence over the club's day-to-day running has ceased. This period of transition saw the appointment of Thomas Frank as manager in the summer of 2025, a move made under Levy's watch, shortly before his exit. The club’s current struggle stands in stark contrast to some of their more stable periods under his tenure.
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Levy's Complex Legacy and Recent Mentions
The paradoxical nature of Levy's long reign is frequently discussed. He is credited with significant financial modernization and the construction of a state-of-the-art stadium, an experience many fans now credit him for. However, this era was also marked by a series of controversial managerial sackings, including that of Ange Postecoglou mere months before Levy's own departure, despite Postecoglou having secured the club's first trophy in 17 years – a Europa League triumph in May 2025. Critics often accused Levy of prioritizing financial gain over on-field success, fueling fan frustration and protests during his final seasons.
Recently, former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp confirmed a conversation with Levy last week. Redknapp, who has publicly stated his willingness to return to management at Tottenham, described the discussion as "strange." While the specifics of their exchange remain undisclosed, it underscores Levy's continued engagement with the club's affairs, even in an unofficial capacity, as the club navigates its most challenging period in decades.
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Ownership and Club Structure Unchanged
Levy's exit was not a prelude to a club takeover. Sources close to the ownership indicated that his departure was viewed as a "sporting decision," and there were no immediate plans to alter the ownership structure, which remains with the Lewis family. Peter Charrington assumed a non-executive chairman role following Levy's departure. The long-serving chairman, aged 63 at the time of his exit, had been the subject of speculation regarding the club's ownership for several years prior to his stepping down.
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