Daniel Levy steps down as Tottenham chairman after nearly 25 years

Tottenham Hotspur’s long-serving chairman Daniel Levy has left his post after almost a quarter of a century in charge, with the decision said to have been made by the club’s owners rather than Levy himself, Sport360NG reports.

Appointed in March 2001, Levy departs just months after Spurs lifted the Europa League in May, their first piece of silverware in 17 years. His exit, effective immediately, comes after the summer transfer window and is seen as a deliberate step by the Tavistock Group, the Lewis family’s investment company that controls Spurs, to usher in a new era of leadership.

At 63, Levy was the Premier League’s longest-serving chairman, earning more than £50m during his tenure. While regarded as a tough negotiator who oversaw Tottenham’s move from White Hart Lane to the £1bn Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he frequently faced criticism from fans, particularly last season, when protests and chants of “Levy out” were common.

Reflecting on his departure, Levy said:

“I am incredibly proud of what we have built together, not just a football club competing at the highest level, but also a community. It has been a privilege to work with so many great people, and while the journey has not always been easy, the progress has been significant. I will remain a passionate supporter of this club.”

Levy’s reign included the 2008 League Cup triumph, a Champions League final appearance under Mauricio Pochettino in 2019, and Tottenham’s transformation into one of the most financially powerful clubs in England. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has previously described Spurs as the “most profitable club in Premier League history,” citing their new stadium revenues and cautious approach to wages and transfers.

Despite the off-field success, inconsistency on the pitch has been a source of frustration for both supporters and ownership. The Lewis family, particularly younger members Vivienne and Charlie Lewis, have driven recent changes at board level, believing that a fresh direction is needed to achieve greater footballing success.

As part of the restructuring, Levy’s role as executive chairman will be removed. Vinai Venkatesham, who joined as chief executive earlier this year, will lead the executive team, while Peter Charrington, a long-time Enic director, steps in as non-executive chairman. The ownership and shareholder structure of Enic remains unchanged, with Levy retaining a stake but no active role.

The transition comes with Tottenham fourth in the Premier League after three matches of the 2025–26 season under new head coach Thomas Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou in the summer. The club spent heavily in the recent transfer window, bringing in players such as Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus.

In a statement, Tottenham acknowledged Levy’s impact:

“Over the last 25 years, Spurs have grown into one of the world’s most recognised clubs, competing in Europe in 18 of the past 20 seasons, investing in world-class facilities, and recently winning the Europa League.”

Former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live the news will divide opinion:

“There’ll be mixed feelings among fans. Daniel was the face of Enic for so long and faced plenty of criticism, but you can’t ignore what he achieved off the pitch, the stadium, the training ground, the business side. The frustration has always been how investment translated onto the pitch. His legacy will be complex, but he gave everything to the job.”