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Daniel Levy has resigned as executive chairman of Tottenham Hotspur following nearly 25 years at the helm, concluding one of the most lengthy tenures in Premier League history.
The 63-year-old, who assumed the role of Spurs chairman in 2001, departs the club after guiding its evolution from a mid-table team valued at £80 million into a global football and business titan now priced at nearly £3 billion. Off the field, he led the transition to the cutting-edge Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2019 and the enhancement of the club’s training facility at Hotspur Way.
On-field, however, Levy’s record has been more contentious. Spurs claimed the Europa League trophy in May — their first European silverware in decades — but fans have long accused him of failing to leverage the club’s ascent. Tottenham reached the Champions League final in 2019 under Mauricio Pochettino but faced criticism for their net transfer expenditure of merely -£4m that summer, with many supporters frustrated at what they perceived as a lack of ambition in the transfer arena.
The club announced that Peter Charrington will become non-executive chairman as part of its strategic succession planning. During the summer, Spurs appointed former Arsenal director Vinai Venkatesham as chief executive, while other significant changes included the exits of Donna-Maria Cullen, a close advisor to Levy, and Scott Munn, the club’s chief football officer.
In a farewell statement, Levy remarked: “I am extremely proud of the work I have accomplished in collaboration with the executive team and all our staff. We have transformed this club into a global powerhouse competing at the highest level. More importantly, we have fostered a community. I will continue to support this club with great passion.”
Charrington recognized Levy’s contributions but mentioned that the club is entering “a new phase of leadership” aimed at stability and empowering Venkatesham’s executive team.
Tottenham’s financial and athletic standing has been highlighted this week by the report on the most valuable football squads in Europe, which listed Spurs with a valuation of €891.1 million. This rise followed their Europa League triumph under Ange Postecoglou — who was later dismissed and succeeded by Thomas Frank — marking a critical step back toward Europe’s elite.
Yet for numerous Spurs fans, their patience with Levy had worn thin. Banners demanding his resignation were displayed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season, one of which stated: “24 years, 16 managers, 1 trophy. Time for Change.”
During Levy’s tenure, Spurs appointed five permanent managers in the last six years. Their league positions since the 2019 Champions League final — sixth, seventh, fourth, eighth, fifth, and 17th — have fueled criticism suggesting that the club’s increasing revenues have not been met with consistent investment in the playing squad. Deloitte’s Football Money League data for 2023/24 also indicated that Tottenham had the lowest wages-to-revenue ratio among Europe’s top 20 clubs, at just 42%.
Levy’s departure thus signifies the close of an era. For a generation of Tottenham supporters, his leadership redefined the club’s infrastructure, financial profile, and global presence — but also left persistent questions about whether his prudence in the transfer market deprived Spurs of the opportunity to regularly compete with Europe’s finest.
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