Football Daily - Daniel Levy steps down as Spurs chairman

Episode Date: September 4, 2025

James Gregg presents reaction to Daniel Levy stepping down as Spurs chairman. Sami Mokbel, Ian Dennis, and Michael Brown join James to react to the news.Levy was appointed in March 2001 and leaves after Spurs won the Europa League in May to end a 17-year wait for a trophy.Hear from the founder of Daily Hotspur, Jamie Brown, and former Spurs manager, David Pleat.Timecodes: 00:50 Why Levy has stepped down 04:55 Levy’s legacy 06:50 What type of chairman was he? 09:45 David Pleat’s on Levy 13:55 What next for Spurs? 20:00 Fan’s perspective from Jamie BrownBBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries: Fri 5 Sep 1930 Chelsea v Man City in the WSL, Sat 6 Sep 1330 Arsenal v London City Lionesses in the WSL, Sat 6 Sep 1700 England v Andorra in World Cup Qualifying, Sun 7 Sep 1200 Liverpool v Everton in the WSL, Tue 9 Sep 1945 Serbia v England in World Cup Qualifying.

BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts. This is the Football Daily podcast with James Gregg. Hello and welcome to the Football Daily. The big news today, Tottenham, have announced that Daniel Levy has stepped down from his role as executive chairman. He was appointed as the Spurs chairman all the way back in March 2001. And Levy leaves after the club won the Europa League last season as they ended a 17-year-old. wait for a trophy. Joining us are the BBC's senior football correspondent, Sammy Mockbell,

the BBC's senior football reporter Ian Dennis, former Tottenham midfielder Michael Brown, former Tottenham manager David Pleat, and Jamie Brown from the Daily Hotspur. Sammy, though, let's just start with what has happened and what do we know about this decision? Yes, James, I have to say it's bombshell, it is bombshell news for sure, and it's news that has caught, I guess, the industry or not. on the hop today, but if you work in the realms of London football in terms of journalism and reporting, many of us would have heard similar soundings or soundings to this effect over the course of the summer. It's just getting the sort of the detail of that and standing that information

up. And, you know, and today, you know, earlier, maybe about an hour ago, that sort of, that news came to fruition and it's been confirmed that Daniel Levy's. is stepping down from his role as executive chairman. So what I can bring you tonight, having spoken to some various people connected with the decision, is that the Lewis family, who owned the Tavistock group, who effectively owned Tottenham, have decided that they want greater folks. So take this how you will, a focus, the decision has been taken with a focus on sporting success. They say that element is clear.

you can deduce from that that it's probably not his decision it's not a case of Daniel Levy saying thank you very much I've got my Europa League trophy off I go I wouldn't sort of backtrack on any of what you've just said there

and I think the other element to that was about to get to there James is I think there is also an understanding from the Tavistock group or there is a feeling at the Tavistock group that the sporting success in recent years and obviously not throughout Levy's reign

because that's not forget they won a European trophy last season. But I think there is a sense that the success on the pitch hasn't happened consistently enough. And I'm told that element is part of the decision for Daniel to step down. The other interesting element of this that hasn't been reported yet

or isn't in the statement is that this happens with immediate effect. So read into that what you will. So I suppose the next question is then is that what happens to his, stake because it's not a case of thank you very much off you go he's still going to be involved even if it is just in a financial capacity so what does what does that look like yeah no so i'm so i'm told my understanding is is that he will and you're right because he he he he families own

30% of e nick who own who are the majority shareholders of tock but my understanding is that will cease to have any direct involvement with the club, with him stepping down as executive chairman of the club, but the shareholding structure between

Enoch and Avestok does not change. That does not change. So yeah, but all our indications are now that Levy will cease to have any control over the club. And the other, the other interesting maybe element to add to this

James is that from what I understand this is not necessarily a decision taken by Joe Lewis himself. I think it's a decision taken by younger generations of the club. So Vivian and Charlie who Joe's children are involved in a decision and

Joe's grandson-in-law who is Nick Boucher is also involved in this decision. Ian, Ian Dennis, senior football reporter. You've covered Spurs an awful lot. And since Daniel Levy has stepped into big shoes to Phil,

we'll come onto how that all came about in a second. But what kind of change have you seen? Because going to White Hart Lane as was, then the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which I think is a different point in itself, what kind of, what have you seen the difference that he's made? you know, for better and for worse, I suppose. Well, I think first and foremost, when people reflect on his legacy,

you only have to look at the stadium and the state-of-the-art training facilities that we get a glimpse of when England train there on a regular basis. You know, I think that will be one of the things that when people look back at his time, you know, we're talking now almost of a quarter of a century that Daniel Levy has been at Tottenham. And undoubtedly, that is significant progress off the field. So I think first and foremost, James, that would be the answer to that particular question. I also think it's worth just mentioning what he said in a statement because he said, I'm incredibly proud of the work that I've done together with the executive team and all our employees.

We have built the club into a global heavyweight competing at the highest level. More than that, we have a built-a-community. I was lucky enough to work with some of the greatest people in this sport, from the team at Lily White House and Hotspurweight 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, and I will continue to support this club passionately.

The newly appointed non-executive chairman, Peter Charrington, added, I would like to thank Daniel and his family for their commitment and loyalty to the club over so many years. And obviously now we have this new era of leadership that Sammy has talked about now going forwards for Spurs. But certainly off the field, Tottenham Hotspur have made enormous strides since the one when he first took over in 2001.

Michael, I want to bring you on this as well because you signed for Tottenham, you left Sheffield United, having been a brilliant championship player. Daniel Levy, I'm guessing, was instrumental in your move there, and that brought you into playing Premier League football. But what was the presence felt by you

towards Daniel Levy as a Spurs player? I think it was a very strange situation when you first go to a club like Spurs wondering what type of ownership what the club's going to be run like and I think straight away from first meeting Daniel you just look and say the detail, the way he structured deals

that you hadn't seen whether it was when I was signing for the club the players that were coming he was always looking to make profit to bring younger players to develop them to put the club in a better position and a financial one and on the field yes it hasn't always been of a successful one

memories of leaving the club doing deals with him going in his office and sitting and trying to negotiate my exit was extremely interesting to really see the insight and the warmth of the of the chairman when you sit face to face and have the sort of I think of a bit of a front to speak to him because of that intimidating person that some people think he is and when you get to the bottom of he's not he's like everybody else you'll have a chat loves a deal but you know I think he's left the football club in an incredible safe safe scenario As Ian said, regards to the training ground is absolutely sensational. The stadium, whenever we all go, it's the best around. And it's in a healthy position. We look and say, well, why has it happened now? We start to see the structure change behind the scenes. He's employing different people. Only recently is really sort of support staff in and around him.

As he's been pushed, I've decided to have a different change. We'll soon find out. And times you don't always know people's health issues. We can look at everything and say, well, it's just certain issues. certain issues but when it comes so fast you have to consider all the scenarios he would have wished for more success i think that'll be firstly for everybody to see but if you just look at now what the football club's worth the position it's in and now and at a position now to go and fight and and be more successful is the message so hopefully with the position he's left him in

you know we wish him well he's done a good job overall and now it's a new chapter for spurs Well, Chris, I've got to stop you there. We have changed our name this season to the FPL podcast from BBC Sports. All you need to do is search for FPL, and if you already subscribe to our podcast, you don't need to do anything at all. Chris, have a guess what the code to join the BBC Sport League is. Is it 5E? It's BBC FPL. Oh, yeah.

Come and play the game with us as we continue to teach Chris about 5.E. Fantasy Premier League, the FPL podcast from BBC Sports. Listen on BBC Sounds. This is the Football Daily podcast with James Gregg. I'll read you some quotes out from Daniel Levy previously earlier on in the year and last year in just a few moments. But I should also just say a very warm welcome to the programme this evening to former Tottenham manager, David Pleat. David, you were director of football at the club when Daniel Levy first strode through the doors at Whitehart. Lane, what were your impressions there, David?

Difficult to say because I didn't know him that well. Obviously, Sir Allen had just resigned or taken his leave of his period looking after the club. Daniel then wasn't that aware of everything that happens in football, but he learned very quickly and he's a very astute businessman. David, it's Ian. I was just talking about the stadium and the training facilities that they have now at Tottenham. when you judge somebody's success as a chairman in your illustrious career as in football, how would you view Daniel Levy at Spurs? Well, you have to judge a club, at least I would judge a club,

on both its sustainability and its results. And it's very difficult to marry the two. To achieve success in the modern game without mega, mega money, as has been proved, is very, very difficult. And to do what Tottenham have done in the world. the last two decades is quite incredible because the stadium as we all know is magnificent the training ground is that no one can rival the training ground and the club is on a good footing and he's always been sensible and how i learned very early days in my time at none eat when i first

started you have to run the club sensibly according to its turnover and daniel has run the club sensibly of course success has alluded us on the field but when you think of some of the wonderful players in the period of time that have played from Modrich to Bergbatov to Van der Vaugh, Bale, Ginola, Kane. The supporters have seen some wonderful players there, but of course, many are thirsting for a bit more silverware, which finally they had, you know, in the end of the season.

And what's he like as an individual? Because he strikes me as somebody who's a shrewd businessman, a tough negotiator I'm led to believe. But obviously you... No more tough, Ian. No more tough, Ian, than any other chairman who protects his club and looks after his club's finances. But he's got a reputation as being tough.

But I can assure you, I've known tougher chairman. He's very sensible. As far as being the custodian of the club, I don't think there's a more astute chairman in the football league. So in that basis, he's looked after the club well? I would say he's looked after the club well, of course, yes. It's not easy to run a club, a massive club. see the problems at some of the biggest clubs, Manchester United, for example.

You know, supporters are never happy. They want winning, winning, winning. It's not that easy. Sometimes players who build a good team, and then all of a sudden, certain players who are doing well want to disappear, they see the grasses greener on the other side. Just think of some of the players, the top players that Tottenham have lost, not least of all, to Manchester United over a period of time.

it's not easy to in the modern game as I say to marry the two to run the club very sensibly and also to win regularly evening David it's Michael

I'm just wondering as it comes as a bit of a shock how are you are you the same Michael Brown that I signed from Chevrolet United yeah you must have been in the body we got Daniel how did you convince him mate I'm not so sure

I've done that I was the biggest problem Michael was to convince him to sign someone like you because all the players at Totten were ball players and we wanted someone who could tackle. We're doing a little bit and going to it. Were you a bit shocked at the timing of this? And you know, you know the club so well.

You've seen all the dealings right throughout for many, many years. What do they need to improve on? What's the next tenure? What's going to take them to the next level? Well, I think they've got to be very... I think Thomas is going to be a good manager. They've had so many managers. We started with Glenn.

We had Harry. They were the only two English managers. And when you look back at Ramos, Dino, Conte, we've had all the top ones. We've had Marino. And to be fair, until we finally, Ange got some silverware, it's just alluded us. So now they need a period of really settling down. I think they've got a perspective, a good team at the moment. And I think everyone wants to, and I think some of the talk, I hear what about Enick and about shares and this type of thing,

I think it's very presumptuous at this stage for anyone to draw conclusions. They don't know the real reason. Very few people do. And I certainly don't. So it's very unwise to speculate. He's made a decision. The decision's been made. And the club's in good hands.

They've got some good people there, I can assure you. David, it's fascinating to get your insight. Just leave you with this Daniel Levy quote from a couple of years ago. He said, when I'm not here, I'm sure I'll get the credit. Is that something that you feel that Spurs fans will come around to? I don't think there's any question about it that to persuade the people in the money markets to help build such a fantastic stadium.

Remember the frustrations when that stadium was being built. The delays, the council, the local people who were obviously going to see all of a sudden 60,000 people emerge where previously they'd only have 35,000 at the most. So many changes took place. and it takes time for all these things to work out. And now, of course, yeah, of course it's an incredible legacy. The training ground is magnificent.

The stadium is, and that's there forever. And now they've got to start winning more and hopefully, you know, challenging the biggest clubs, the Liverpool's and the Manchester. And it's not easy, as I've said, to marry sustainability and good housekeeping, you know, with the results. It's not easy, unless you've got. mega, mega money, and who knows what the future may hold,

maybe Tottenham will be sold before too long. We shouldn't draw conclusions. David, thanks so much for talking to us this evening. Great insight, as always. That's the former Tottenham manager. David Pleet with us, I suppose the question, Sammy and Ian, what happens next at Spurs? What does it look like?

Is it going to look totally different straight away? So in terms, James, of the structure, Charrington, who is currently the non-executive chairman, will step into Daniel Levy's position, but will remain a non-executive chairman. And obviously we know that Vinayvincottesium is the CEO. The other thing I must add is that from what I understand, James, is that the role of executive chairman that Daniel Levy held

will now be removed, which, according to our sources, will make the structure of the club. behind the scenes a lot more, a lot more modern. So it remains to be seen if they look to bring fresh blood into the boardroom. I think they've made a lot of those changes already over the previous few months. And I think those changes have led up to the news that broke earlier this evening. Ian, do you think it will feel any different the next time you're at the Tottenham-Hotspur's stadium? No, because I've never met Daniel Levy, never been invited to the boardroom.

so it won't make any difference as far as we're concerned. That's the first, isn't it? That's the first. You don't want to get invited everywhere, Ian. What happened? There are some clubs where we get invited to the boardroom, but I've never been invited by Mr Levy. So no, it won't make any difference.

And I think as well, I mean, the other thing from the supporters point of view, in all seriousness, James, we talked about the two trophies under his tenure, if you like, the League Cup in 2008, and obviously the Europa League that they won against Manchester United. but that has always been the stick to beat Daniel Levy with from the supporters point of view in terms of their discontent because they've seen this financial growth off the field and at the time when they would say well they've not been investing on the pitch

and I think that was the reason why you've seen so many protests about Daniel Levy out but he did hint didn't he as you've alluded to when he said you know maybe when I'm not here I'll get the credit and in fact we had a debate on the Monday night club at the start of August, where we were having that debate again, you know, will Daniel Levy be fondly remembered after he's gone? Well, that time will soon start to happen now, and those debates will start to occur. Don't you think it's strange now when you look at the timing, when you've seen all the structure? Why would the chairman who's maybe going to leave be allowed to change everybody in and around him in recent times and then step away? I think that's the strangest thing for me that the timing of this now

when he's changed everybody, his allies that he's had for so long. Are you talking about Ange Poster Coglu? No, I'm talking about all the people in and around him. Do you know, you look at the advisors, all on the board, everything's changed in that scenario, yet then he was leaving. Surely the new person who's coming in to step in

would want those people around him. That's other people that they would pick. Yeah, Brownie, my understanding of that, you're right, mate. I think that my mind, understanding of that situation is that all of the sort of the changes that have occurred over the summer then kettisham obviously becoming the new CEO the introduction of i was going to mention donna as well donna cullen leaving who i think we all know in the industry was a big ally of

daniel right and the appointment of peter harrington onto the board all of those decisions have led to to this tonight so this isn't a this isn't a this isn't a spur of the moment thing. This is something that's been in the workings for a while. But I understand with you, I understand, and I agree with you that the timing of this is interesting, for sure.

I was led to believe earlier that what the ownership wanted to do was get the window out of the way, let Daniel do that window and then have a clean break. Let's get their fans' perspective on this though now. The Daily Hot Spurs, Jamie Brown joins us here on Five Live

sport. Evening, Jamie. What's your, what's your reaction? Yeah, it's a really interesting one because for me personally, 25 years, that's pretty much my entire lifetime, but I've known nothing other than Daniel Levy being the chairman. So this is a significant news. In terms of the fan base, I think it's pretty split, to be honest with you. I think there's definitely an appreciation for what Daniel Levy did off the pitch. You know, you look at the way he's transformed this club into a real heavyweight in terms of, you know, financial side. You look at the stadium that he's built, obviously, in terms of building those foundations, you know, what happens next?

I think that it's very exciting at Spurs. You know, you've got the training ground there. You've got the stadium, all these different revenue streams. You look at the global fan base as well. So he's done a lot in terms of off the pitch, but I think there is also the feeling that perhaps he's outgrown the club or the club has outgrown him in a little bit in a little way. you look at in terms of the wages that Spurs offer, you know, you compare that to a lot of the top clubs.

It's a long way off. And I think that, you know, those sort of changes really hampered him. And yeah, so I think those changes have been difficult for him to kind of keep up with. So there's been a real mixed feeling, I think, amongst supporters in terms of this decision tonight. What side of a fence do you sit on then? Yeah, for me, I think it was definitely. case of the club had outgrown him and that he probably did need to move on. I said he'd done a fantastic job and I totally appreciated everything that he's done. And certainly in my

lifetime as well, I've seen us go from playing at White Hart Lane in front of 36,000 fans. You know, the old training ground was not the greatest. But now we're a club that regularly competes in European football. That wasn't the case before he arrived at the football club. So you have to appreciate that he's done a lot of good. But also at the same time, for the fans winning trophies and winning silverware is what it's all about and ultimately he's only won two trophies in that time that night in Bilbao was unbelievable but we want more as fans now and kind of we look at where the club is at

we look at the potential of the club I said the foundations are fantastic and you know you hope that whatever is to come next you know they can they can really build on that and really capitalised so yeah certainly an appreciation for what he's done but there is certainly a feeling that now's the time for change Jamie, just a quick one. Do you think he will get the credit now he's gone? I do, I do.

I said, you know, fans love that stadium. You know, obviously everything about it is fantastic. Real state-of-the-art stadium. Yes, what Hart Lane was obviously very traditional and fantastic atmosphere. But, you know, fans love going to that stadium. So I think in a way, yes, there will be. But it's really tricky because, as I said, you look at those two trophies. It's feeling that it's not enough.

people will obviously beat spurs with a stick that we don't win many major trophies but that's just not the case 27 major honours to our name we would seem that consistently won trophies prior to Daniel Levy and two in 25 years just wasn't quite good enough

so yeah as I said appreciate from what he's done but I'm excited for change Jamie Brown thanks very much for being on the program from The Daily Hot Spurt senior football reporter Ian Dennis former Tottenham midfielder Michael Brown and Sammy Mottbell as well,

the BBC Senior Football Correspondent. Thanks so much, gents. That's it for this episode of the Football Daily. On the next one, Ian Dennis, John Murray and Alistair Bruce Ball are back with the commentator's view.