Daniel Levy’s 24-year tenure as Tottenham Hotspur’s executive chairman has come to an end.
Gatekeepers News reports that the club confirmed he had “stepped down,” though BBC Sport understands the decision was driven by Spurs’ ownership, who believe new leadership could deliver greater sporting success.
Levy, 63, was appointed in March 2001 and departs just months after Spurs’ Europa League triumph ended a 17-year trophy drought. The timing of his exit — immediately and without a notice period — was deliberately set after the summer transfer window.
During his time in charge, Levy became the Premier League’s longest-serving chairman and earned more than £50m. His reign saw major milestones, including the move from White Hart Lane to the £1bn Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2019 and a Champions League final appearance under Mauricio Pochettino the same year. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has described Spurs as “the most profitable club in Premier League history” under Levy’s watch.
But Levy also faced persistent criticism from supporters, particularly over a lack of silverware. Fans regularly protested last season, unfurling banners with messages such as “Our game is about glory, Levy’s game is about greed.”
Reflecting on his departure, Levy said: “I am incredibly proud of the work I have done together with the executive team and all our employees. We have built this club into a global heavyweight competing at the highest level. More than that, we have built a community… It hasn’t always been an easy journey but significant progress has been made. I will continue to support this club passionately.”
The ownership structure of Spurs remains unchanged. Peter Charrington, a director of Tottenham’s owners Enic, will step in as non-executive chairman. Vinai Venkatesham, appointed CEO in April, will lead the executive team.
Charrington praised Levy’s service, saying: “This is a new era of leadership for the club, on and off the pitch. We are now fully focused on stability and empowering our talented people across the club.”
Levy leaves with two trophies secured during his reign — the 2008 League Cup and last season’s Europa League. While his business acumen transformed Spurs into a financial powerhouse, his legacy remains divisive. Former goalkeeper Paul Robinson summed it up:
“The legacy Daniel leaves, everybody will think about the stadium and the training ground but also the underachievement on the pitch. There will be mixed emotions, but he can certainly hold his head up high on the business front.”
