Inside Daniel Levy's final hours at Tottenham from brutal meeting to players' surprise

Tottenham sent shockwaves around the Premier League on Thursday with the announcement that chairman of 24 years Daniel Levy had 'stepped down' with immediate effect. But the true story of his departure has paints a much different picture.

Levy, 63, was appointed Spurs chairman in February 2001 and he'd go on to become the Premier League's longest-serving executive in that role. The Essex-born businessman helped transform Tottenham into a side which regularly qualified for Europe and perhaps most notably oversaw the club's move into their £1billion stadium which was opened in 2019, as well as a new state-of-the-art training complex.

A lack of silverware and frequent managerial changes, however, resulted many supporters losing patience with Levy's leadership. Fan protests have become increasingly common in recent years and Spurs' lack of on-pitch success - despite seeing their 17-year trophy drought come to an end in May - was a key reason behind his exit.

The football world was informed of Levy's bombshell departure just before 6pm on Thursday, but according to the Times, the man himself was only told that morning during a meeting. The decision came as a shock to the 63-year-old, who had meetings scheduled for Friday, it's added.

Staff and players, many of whom are away on international duty, were also in the dark. An email from the Tottenham's new chief executive, Vinai Venkatesham, was sent around as an official statement was released.

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Spurs' majority owners, the Lewis family, had decided that it was time to bring in a new leadership team. Vivienne Lewis Silverton and Charles Lewis - the two children of Joe Lewis - have been increasingly active within the club over the past few years.

That was after their 88-year-old father had ceded control of the ENIC Group, which Levy still owns a stake in, and put his business affairs into a family trust in 2022. Venkatesham, who previously worked as a director at Arsenal, started as chief executive in June and has succeeded Levy in running day-to-day operations.

During a recent interview with Gary Neville for , Levy suggested that history will remember his reign at Tottenham kindly. "I think it's one of those situations - when I'm not here I'm sure I'll get the credit," he explained.

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"When you come here and look at this wonderful building [Tottenham Hotspur Stadium], and the fact that other clubs are now trying to copy what we’re doing, that should be a sign that maybe we did do something bold, and something right."

In a statement following Thursday's announcement, 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. 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."

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