Full extent of Daniel Levy Tottenham exit revealed as Spurs owners make big plans

Daniel Levy's exit from Tottenham is believed to be the final piece of the jigsaw of plans from the club's owners to push the north London outfit on to bigger things with a fresh approach and more silverware.

It was announced on Thursday that the 63-year-old would be stepping down after almost a quarter of a century in N17 and football.london understands it is the final part of plans by the Lewis family behind Spurs owners ENIC to see through a summer of change and bring fresh blood to the leadership of the club that they believe will push it to greater heights going forward.

This summer has seen Ange Postecoglou sacked as head coach with Thomas Frank replacing him, and at board level Vinai Venkatesham came in as the club's chief executive officer with Scott Munn placed on gardening leave from his role as chief football officer.

It was also announced in June that Levy's long-time advisor Donna-Maria Cullen would be stepping down after almost three decades at the club and now the chairman himself has left his position. Levy helped deliver the club's new stadium and new training facilities while in charge and now there are plans from those at the very top at Spurs to push on matters on the pitch.

The chairman's departure has been in the works for a little while but has been kept quiet out of respect for everything Levy has done over the decades, which ended with the second trophy his tenure as Tottenham won the Europa League in May.

football.london understands that the Lewis family currently has no plans to sell the club and that is why they have been pushing through plans to alter the structure at Tottenham to become a more traditional, modern one with a CEO. While Levy was seen by many as a part owner running the club, the new direction is more one of the owners looking to back it rather than run it.

Vivienne Lewis is a regular presence at matches and was spotted alongside Levy in the opening day victory against Burnley. Her father Joe was the long-time owner of the club but the 88-year-old stepped away from that role years back and his children and grandchildren, as Spurs fans, are understood to have taken on a more active role in backing the club.

That backing has come through the injection of extra football knowledge with the addition of one of the game's most sought after CEOs in Venkatesham to lead the day to day running of Tottenham with new non-executive chairman Peter Charrington, who is not expected to be involved in the football side of things on a daily basis, overseeing the big picture following Levy's departure from his more hands-on role.

"Generations of the Lewis family support this special football club and they want what the fans want – more wins more often," a source close to the Lewis family told football.london. "This is why you have seen recent changes, new leadership and a fresh approach. In Vinai, Thomas and Peter Charrington, they believe they are backing the right team to deliver on this. This is a new era."

Levy will remain as part of the club as a shareholder. ENIC own an 86.91% share and of that, a trust of which the Lewis family are beneficiaries of owns 70.12% while Levy and his family are potential beneficiaries of discretionary trusts which own 29.88% of that share capital.

"I am incredibly proud of the work I have done together with the executive team and all our employees," said Levy. "We have built this club into a global heavyweight competing at the highest level. More than that, we have built a community. I was lucky enough to work with some of the greatest people in this sport, from the team at Lilywhite House and Hotspur Way to all the players and managers over the years.

"I wish to thank all the fans that have supported me over the years. It hasn’t always been an easy journey but significant progress has been made. I will continue to support this club passionately."

Charrington added: "I am very honoured to become Non-Executive Chairman of this extraordinary club and, on behalf of the board, I would like to thank Daniel and his family for their commitment and loyalty to the club over so many years.

"This is a new era of leadership for the club, on and off the pitch. I do recognise there has been a lot of change in recent months as we put in place new foundations for the future. We are now fully focused on stability and empowering our talented people across the club, led by Vinai and his executive team."

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