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Thomas Frank wants controversial football addition introduced - and calls for one rule change to be scrapped

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Thomas Frank wants controversial football addition introduced - and calls for one rule change to be scrapped - talkSPORT
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Thomas Frank has lambasted the current handball law - while championing time-outs to be introduced in either half.

The Tottenham Hotspur boss believes a penalty should only be awarded for deliberate goal-line clearances with the arm or hand.

Frank claims the change would make football 'fairer' and added that the current law is 'not right'.

He has also urged the sport's lawmakers to introduce time-outs for managers to use during the match.

Discussing which laws of the game he would change, Frank told BetMGM: "I would take out the handball rule as for me it's not right.

"If there's a handball and it touches your arm in the penalty area, you are giving the biggest chance to the opponent just because it 'touches' your arm.

"Of course, if you're standing on the goal-line and you try to save it like a goalkeeper in the old days that's different.

"But I simply don't understand how if it just touches a player's arm, and it touches their arm in certain areas, it gives the opportunity for the biggest chance in the game.

"It's a rule that has to be changed to improve the game and make it fairer."

Spurs are yet to concede a penalty in their opening three Premier League matches under Frank this season.

It follows his arrival from Brentford in June, replacing Ange Postecoglou.

The Dane added that he would be keen for managers to be given one time-out each half in order to speak to their players.

He explained: "I'd have a time-out in each half.

"From a coaching perspective, I think it would be lovely to have an opportunity during the game to speak to the players and be able to adjust something."

Though that may not go down well with other managers if their team are winning or frustrating the opposition.

And fans also may be against the idea with matches already being regularly halted due to VAR interventions.

What is the handball law?

At present, players are penalised for handball if they deliberately make contact with the ball with their hand or arm.

This consists of moving their body towards the ball in order to make such contact.

Alternatively, a free-kick or penalty is also awarded if they have made their body unnaturally bigger and the ball strikes the hand or arm.

Meanwhile, a goal will be disallowed if a player scores with their hand or arm or immediately after it has touched their hand or arm, even if the contact is accidental.

Frank's start at Spurs

Frank signed a three-year deal with Spurs in the summer after almost seven years in charge of the Bees.

He has since taken charge of four matches across all competitions prior to the international break.

After losing the UEFA Super Cup final to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, Spurs beat Burnley and Manchester City in the Premier League.

Their unbeaten start to the campaign was ended by Bournemouth, though, with the Cherries running out 1-0 winners in north London.

Despite that defeat, Spurs currently sit fourth in the table after three matches.

Frank's side return to action on Saturday evening away to London rivals West Ham.

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'Better than Cristian Romero' - Tottenham told loanee has potential to usurp World Cup winner

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Tottenham starlet Luka Vuskovic will become a better player than club captain Cristian Romero.

That is the bold view of former Spurs boss Martin Jol, who is a huge fan of the Croatian - regarded to be one of Europe's hottest centre-back prospects.

The 18-year-old finally linked up with Tottenham earlier this summer - two years after signing him from Hadjuk Split.

Spurs forked out £12million to secure his services in 2023, but had to wait for him to turn 18 before the defender could make the move to England.

In that time, he was shipped out on loan to Polish outfit Radomiak Radom and Belgian side Westerlo respectively, earning rave reviews in the process.

And it didn't take Vuskovic long to show fans what all the fuss is about after scoring and assisting on his debut in a 2-0 pre-season win against Reading in July.

While he showed the Spurs faithful and boss Thomas Frank what he is capable of, the decision was made to ship him out on loan for a third time to further his development.

Vuskovic was offloaded to Bundesliga giants Hamburg - following in the footsteps of Jol with the Dutchman joining the club in 2008 - seven months after his axing at White Hart Lane.

For Jol, he believes the teenager has what it takes to become a Spurs star.

Speaking to football.london, the Dutchman made the comparison between Vuskovic and World Cup 2022 winner Romero, who has long been on the radar of Atletico Madrid.

What has Martin Jol said about Luka Vuskovic?

Commenting on the Tottenham squad, Jol said: "How many players are there in the Spurs team now, who would be bought by one of the big four or five?

"Romero could go anywhere, but you feel like if he plays for a while at his top level, he will get injured.

"Romero is a good, decent defender, but I will tell you one thing.

"The guy they sent to Hamburg now - Luka Vuskovic - will be better."

Vuskovic is yet to make his debut for Hamburg having been an unused substitute in their 2-0 defeat to St Pauli before the international break.

While many fans were keen to see Vuskovic test himself in England this term, the player admitted he is not ready for the Premier League just yet.

The one-cap Croatia international has declared that he is not yet at the level required to force Micky van de Ven and Romero out of the starting XI.

He told Germanijak: "They offered me an option to stay, to play in case of injury or cup matches, but I wanted continuous minutes.

"They have Romero and Van de Ven playing there, two of the best centre-backs in the world at the moment.

"I believe in myself, but it's really difficult to play next to them.

"I've faced them and I realised that I still have to work harder.

"A lot of work and a little luck, so I'll be back."

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Transfer Notebook: Final straw for Nuno at Forest revealed, West Ham turned down signing Man United star, Levy's return plan in doubt

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Fabio Paratici’s return to Tottenham has been thrown into doubt by Daniel Levy’s shock exit as chairman.

talkSPORT exclusively revealed last month that Paratici had agreed to resume his role of managing director of football from next month.

However, the move was very much driven by Levy, which means Paratici has now been left in limbo.

The Italian was previously forced to leave Spurs after being banned for 30 months in January 2023 for false accounting at old club Juventus.

He had been assisting Levy on an unofficial basis after FIFA reduced the suspension.

The fact Levy has lined up Paratici’s return is another illustration that he was not expecting to be forced out by Tottenham owners ENIC.

West Ham turn down Onana and turn back to ex-star

Andre Onana was offered on loan to West Ham before agreeing to join Trabzonspor.

The Hammers were actively considering a swoop for the Manchester United goalkeeper.

However, it is believed chairman David Sullivan opted not to follow up their interest after watching Onana make two errors in United’s humiliating EFL Cup exit at the hands of Grimsby.

West Ham are now in talks with 40-year-old Lukasz Fabianski about a return to the club, weeks after leaving on a free transfer.

Sources have also told talkSPORT Onana’s decision to leave Old Trafford was fuelled by being told he was likely to be Ruben Amorim’s third-choice goalkeeper this season.

The howler-prone glovesman fell fell down the pecking order behind Altay Bayindir and new signing, Belgian youngster Senne Lammens.

Final straw for Nuno at Forest

Nuno Espirito Santo sealed his Nottingham Forest departure by refusing to bring new signing Douglas Luiz off the bench in the 3-0 defeat at home to West Ham.

The Portuguese coach was already on an unsteady footing with Forest’s combustible owner Evangelos Marinakis after publicly questioning the pair’s relationship.

Marinakis was close to axing Espirito Santo in the immediate aftermath of that explosive press conference prior to Forest’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace last month.

His successor Ange Postecoglou has been on standby to step into the City Ground hot-seat ever since.

Sources close to Forest have confirmed Espirito Santo leaving Luiz on the bench and only using fellow new-boy Omari Hutchinson as an 89th minute substitute was the final straw for the club’s hierarchy.

Espirito Santo was also at loggerheads with Forest’s head of global football Edu over recruitment for most of the summer.

While acknowledging Luiz’s qualities, it is understood Espirito Santo was unhappy at not being properly consulted over the signing and felt other areas of the squad should take priority.

Espirito Santo also felt Edu blocked his attempts to sign his former Wolves winger Adama Traore from Fulham.

Brownhill said no to Premier League for Saudi payday

Josh Brownhill rejected the chance to join Brentford to seal a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.

Brownhill had been biding his time before making a final decision on his future after leaving Burnley as a free agent.

The Bees were keen to add Brownhill to their ranks, but ultimately a six-figure-a-week deal with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Shabab proved too good to turn down.

Brownhill also held talks with Leicester and Wolves.

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Ange Postecoglou rejects job and is ready for sensational Premier League return weeks after Tottenham sack

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Ange Postecoglou is ready to accept the Nottingham Forest job, talkSPORT understands.

As previously reported, Postecoglou is a leading contender to take charge at the City Ground following the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo.

The Europa League winning Tottenham manager's attacking style of play fits the remit of what Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is looking for.

Postecoglou recently turned down the chance to replace Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce.

The Turkish side parted ways with Mourinho last month following their Champions League exit.

Marinakis wants to make a swift appointment and Forest travel to Spurs' north London rivals Arsenal on Saturday, live on talkSPORT.

Forest sources have also claimed Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola are admired by Marinakis as well as Fulham boss Marco Silva.

However, Bournemouth are relaxed about the future of Iraola despite the interest in the Spaniard.

Nuno's departure from the City Ground was confirmed on Monday night after weeks of speculation surrounding his future.

The Portuguese had been in charge of Forest for almost two years after replacing Steve Cooper in December 2023.

Having guided the club to safety at the end of that campaign, he achieved their highest finish for 30 years last season.

Their first league phase fixture sees the club travel to Spain to face Real Betis on September 24.

Postecoglou at Spurs

It is a competition which Postecoglou won with Spurs back in May.

The victory over Manchester United in the final ended the club's 17-year wait for a trophy.

However, Postecoglou was dismissed by Spurs at the end of the season before being replaced by Thomas Frank.

His exit came after two seasons in north London, which saw him take charge of 101 matches across all competitions.

Of those fixtures, Spurs were victorious in 47, giving Postecoglou a win rate of just over 46.5 per cent.

Having finished fifth in his debut season, though, Tottenham slumped to 17th place last term.

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'Unequivocally rejected' - Tottenham forced to release statement amid two shock takeover approaches - talkSPORT
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Tottenham owners make sale stance clear amid internal turmoil behind shock Daniel Levy exit

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The Lewis family insist that Tottenham is not for sale, talkSPORT understands.

Questions over the future of the Spurs hierarchy have arisen since the shock announcement of Daniel Levy stepping down as chairman.

talkSPORT understands that although the statement said he stepped down, Levy was removed from the position.

Such a change in personnel raised the suggestion of a sale in at the north London side, who are valued in excess of £3billion.

However sources close to the Lewis family, who own 70.12 per cent of the majority shareholders ENIC Group, say the club isn't for sale.

Amid their stance, former Newcastle director Amanda Staveley is expected to release a statement on Monday to declare she has no intention to lodge a bid for the club.

The businesswoman must do so to avoid market manipulation as 13 per cent of the club is publicly listed.

How the Spurs ownership could change

Early in 2023, it was reported that Spurs were set to be approached by Iranian-American billionaire Jahm Najafi over a takeover.

Najafi was preparing a £3.1b bid for the Premier League club.

The news came amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain owners Qatar Sports Investment eyeing a minority stake at Spurs.

Levy reportedly held talks with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi over a potential partnership.

Despite Levy no longer being chairman, it looks as though ENIC will remain in charge of the club for the time being.

talkSPORT have also revealed that well-placed sources denied suggestions of a Qatar investor closing in on a takeover.

But talkSPORT's chief football correspondent Alex Crook insisted that doesn't mean the door was firmly closed on a foreign entity investing in Tottenham.

"What it means for the future of Spurs I think is unclear at this moment in time," Crook said upon the announcement of Levy's exit.

"They're saying that the way the club is run the ownership structure will remain the same.

"But I've got to say there have been whispers and myself and Ben Jacobs have been sort of trying to find out more about this in the last few weeks that there is significant outside investment coming into Tottenham.

"Probably from the Middle East, from the likes of Saudi Arabia.

"So you wonder if this is the first step to a change of ownership at the top of the club, despite what Spurs are saying at this moment in time."

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Dejan Kulusevski posts horror image showing inside his knee that is not for the faint-hearted

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Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski wants to let everyone know that he's OK and edging closer to a return to action after undergoing knee surgery.

But he did it by posting a photograph of literally the inside of said knee, turning the stomachs of his followers on Instagram.

Kulusevski is one of six Tottenham players currently sidelined through injury, with James Maddison, Radu Dragusin, Dominic Solanke, and Kota Takai also out of action.

The 25-year-old hasn't played since Spurs' 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in May, when he hobbled off after just 19 minutes with soreness to his knee.

Former manager Ange Postecoglou described the problem as 'a knock' at the time, but he ultimately had to go under the knife.

Kulusevski underwent patella [kneecap] surgery later that month, which meant he missed Tottenham's historic Europa League final victory over Manchester United.

The Sweden international has been out ever since, with new manager Thomas Frank still yet to coach one of the club’s most important players on the training pitch.

While he will miss the entire Champions League league phase - with Tottenham deciding not to register him in their European squad - Kulusevski gave fans some good news by revealing he hopes to return to action towards the end of the 2025.

But he also gave supporters a glimpse into why he spent most of the summer in a full leg support - by sharing a gory photograph of the inside of his knee after being sliced open by surgeons.

If you’re squeamish, maybe scroll down a little further to read the players’ update on his possible return.

But, really, if you are squeamish, what are you doing here?

LAST WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT AHEAD

Despite being unavailable for selection, national team vice-captain Kulusevski has travelled with his comrades to Sweden’s international break camp.

Speaking to broadcasters Viaplay, he gave an update on his progress.

"The status is good," he said. "The rehab is going well.

"Every day I wake up with the same hunger and even more hunger with each passing day. The status is very good, and I will be on a football field in the very, very near future.

"If everything goes as it should, as it has so far, I am very confident that I will be on the field in two to three months."

Spurs fans might wonder why their injured star was called upon by Sweden for the international break.

But head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson explained how Kulusevski still wanted to be part of the squad despite not being able to play.

“Dejan Kulusevski will be part of the group,” the Sweden boss told Fotboll Skanalen. “He will not be able to play but he will be there anyway.

“That says something about his character. He will do everything to make sure we get to the World Cup. He wants to help the team. He will be with the team throughout the training camp.”

Kulusevski’s commitment also impressed his fellow teammates, who hailed his leadership role within the group as they look to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

"This shows that he is an incredible leader,” said midfielder Ken Sema. “It means a lot.

“He comes in with energy, is very playful and gives us a lot of positive things. Then he is a close friend of mine. So, it means a lot to us.

“He shows that he is a leader who wants to be here and help the team, and we all see how much he is passionate about this national team. We need as much help as we can get. It is only positive.”

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'Making fun of us' - Champions League club slammed for transfer talks over new Tottenham star

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Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi sent a furious warning to Juventus after negotiations over Randal Kolo Muani collapsed.

The France international completed a season-long loan move to Tottenham from PSG on transfer deadline day, with no option or obligation to buy.

It was a transfer few saw coming, as Kolo Muani had for a long time looked set to rejoin the Italian giants.

After falling out of favour under Luis Enrique in Paris, the 26-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan in Italy, where he scored ten goals in 22 appearances.

Why did Kolo Muani's move to Juventus fall through?

According to French outlet l'Equipe, PSG had agreed terms with Juve over another loan, with an option to make the move permanent for around £43million.

However, talks between the two sides eventually collapsed, with RMC Sport citing several changes to the structure of the deal.

This left Al-Khelaifi furious with Juventus general manager Damien Comolli, who is believed to have altered the initial agreement.

So much so in fact, that the Qatari businessman pulled the plug on the deal altogether, as he lost patience with the Bianconeri's tactics.

And Al-Khelaifi's explosive message to Juventus' directors has now been revealed by French outlet Sports Zone.

The PSG chief reportedly warned: "You've been messing with us for weeks, it's over, you won't get your way with me.

"I'll remember your tactics, trust me on that."

Al-Khelaifi reportedly then told Kolo Muani's agent to find a solution with another club, with both parties setting their sights elsewhere.

As the Frenchman settled on a move to Spurs, Juventus instead swooped to sign Lois Openda on loan from RB Leipzig.

What is Juventus' side of the story?

While Al-Khelaifi blasted the Turin side for their handling of the Kolo Muani deal, his counterpart, Comolli, instead played down the extent of negotiations.

According to quotes from l'Equipe, the former Tottenham director of football claimed Juventus were restricted by UEFA's financial fair play rules.

Comolli said: "We had a few discussions with PSG, but it didn't go any further. I don't know how it will end.

"We have to pay attention to UEFA's financial fair play. Every euro counts.

"We already have two very good strikers with Dusan Vlahovic, who will stay with us, and Jonathan David. With those two, we are very happy with what we have."

And while Kolo Muani may have faced competition to start up front at Juventus, he may have an easier way in at Spurs.

He joined the club amid fresh injury fears surrounding Dominic Solanke, who has suffered a fresh setback with an ankle injury.

The striker missed his side's recent defeat to Bournemouth, with head coach Thomas Frank recently confirming it was a re-occurrence of the injury which hampered his pre-season.

While Solanke could return to face West Ham after the international break, Kolo Muani will be hoping to stake a claim for a regular starting berth in north London.

The versatile forward is helped by the fact he can play both up front or off the left, and brings some real pedigree to the table.

He has won 31 caps for France, scoring nine goals, while he also received a Champions League winners medal last term after featuring four times in the competition for PSG before his January loan switch.

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Shocked Harry Redknapp thought Daniel Levy would be at Tottenham forever as fans sent warning

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Harry Redknapp insists he enjoyed his time working under Daniel Levy and says his Tottenham exit took him by surprise.

Levy and Tottenham released a joint statement on Thursday afternoon announcing that he had immediately ‘stepped down’ as chairman after almost 25 years in the role.

He took over as Spurs chairman from Alan Sugar in 2001 and helped oversee a huge transformation both on and off the pitch.

But Levy’s accomplishments were often overshadowed by a lack of success in the form of trophies with just a League Cup and Europa League trophy to show during his tenure.

Levy fought hard and long to find the winning formula, sacking 13 permanent managers during his time at the club.

Redknapp was axed by Levy in 2012 after four years as manager and two fourth-placed finishes in the league.

And while he admits he no longer speaks to Levy, Redknapp says the now ex-chairman was enjoyable to work under.

“Absolutely out of the blue. I never saw that coming at all,” the ex-Spurs boss told talkSPORT

“I thought Daniel would be there forever. When someone texted me [the news] I thought no, you’re having a wind-up.

“That was his life running that football club, I could never see it coming to an end.

“I never had any problem with Daniel,” Redknapp added. “I sit here and I don’t have any relationship with him or speak to him, not that I don’t want to.

“I found him very good to work for. He wasn’t at the training ground every day. He wasn’t poking his nose in as to who should and shouldn't play.”

Working with Levy behind the scenes

Redknapp lifted the lid on Levy’s role and more specifically his boundaries with regards to key decision making while in the gaze of 88-year-old ENIC majority shareholder Joe Lewis.

“I found him (Levy) very good and helpful to work with. In the background Joe would be pulling a lot of the strings, that’s how I always felt.

“When I left the club, I think it was certainly more Joe’s decision than Daniel’s. That was my opinion.

“People do forget that Daniel only had 25 per cent of the club. Joe Lewis was the governor at the football club.

“When I was there, Joe was never around. He never came to games. I think he’s been to around 10 games in 20 years.

“Maybe once every two years he’ll come over and watch a match. But Daniel didn’t have as much say in the club as Joe did.

“Joe would have the final say,” Redknapp added. “Whether Daniel spent the money or didn’t, he always had to speak to Joe to get the final word on everything.

“If Joe didn’t want to spend big money in the transfer market, then Daniel wasn’t able to do that.

“He took the brunt of the criticism for sure but it wasn’t always down to Daniel.”

What will Levy's legacy be?

Tottenham’s transformation off the pitch has been a monumental one.

Spurs boast a stunning new £1billion stadium that holds up against any in world football as well as a plush new training centre in Enfield.

Levy has helped mastermind that change and with it, development on the playing side with regular European football and now a Europa League triumph to show for it.

And that’s not forgetting that Spurs came within a whisker of landing the big one before falling short against Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League final.

Redknapp felt compelled to give Levy his flowers and remind fans – some of whom demanded changes in the boardroom – that despite the lack of trophies, Spurs had made huge strides under Levy.

“People have to give him a bit of credit for what he's achieved there,” he said. “Okay, the trophies hadn’t come and maybe us managers should have done a bit better and won a cup somewhere along the line.

“People forget they’ve had a Champions League final, they’ve had Champions League football quite regularly in the last 12-15 years.

“It hasn’t been all doom and gloom. That stadium when you go there is mindblowing.

“They should be up there and could be up there winning the title in the next four or five years.”

Simon Jordan's verdict

Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan was quick to praise Levy for his longevity at Tottenham and warned the club's fans to be careful what they wish for.

Jordan went head-to-head with Levy over past transfer dealings and admits that while he didn't always agree with his method of operating, he grew to respect Levy as a football chairman.

"The bottom line is Daniel Levy, I think, did a brilliant job for Tottenham Hotspur. I think he built a spaceship," Jordan told talkSPORT.

"The challenge for Daniel now is he's probably locked into ENIC with no salary, and I wonder how they'll deal with him in the future.

"Maybe they'll squeeze him out and give him a haircut on his share price.

"Whilst there's an element of Daniel might be a slight anachronism to the way that football is now run in terms of prudent football club owners aren't looked at in a certain way.

"Without associating failure with Daniel, if you don't build success on the field, it's perceived as a failure tax to some extent.

"And if you look at the value of Chelsea and if you look at the value of Manchester City, where they've spent big, it's like making a Hollywood movie and saying I don't want to buy the superstars because I want to keep my budgets to a level.

"There is a thought process that needs to change about the value of football clubs based upon their success on the field, and I do think that the Lewis family will sell this business or they will raise new capital.

"Perhaps Daniel was in the way. But I think the legacy for Daniel has to be that he's brought a brilliant football club with a real opportunity, and those that are sort of revelling in the fact that Daniel's gone, careful what you wish for.

"We'll see what the future looks like because it won't be a wonderful thing if every single football club we have in this country is owned by Middle Eastern or American businesses.

"That won't be a wonderful thing, but it may well be the direction of travel that we'll have to accept.

"I didn't always agree with him," Jordan said about his past dealings with Levy.

"I had massive confrontations with him over players that he tried to take from me, whether it was Andrew Johnson or Wayne Routledge or John Bostock, and I didn't always agree with it.

"But I came to respect the acumen, and I think that having achieved so much, he's built a platform. There might be an argument that he needs a new captain, but I do not think that some of the flack that Levy caught was fair and justified."

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Removal of Daniel Levy rocked Tottenham staff and could pave way for £3billion sale

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Daniel Levy was removed as Tottenham chairman despite the club's statement saying he had 'stepped down', talkSPORT understands.

Spurs confirmed the bombshell announcement on Thursday, which came as more of a surprise to club staff than Levy himself.

Tottenham made the decision to end the 63-year-old's tenure three days after the transfer deadline, following 24 years in the role.

It came as part of a move to gain more sporting success on the pitch, despite the north Londoners winning the Europa League last season.

Levy remains a shareholder in the club's owners, ENIC, but won't have any day-to-day influence over Spurs.

His exit followed months of internal reviews, with the Englishman sensing for much of the summer that a departure was coming.

Despite this, talkSPORT understands that his farewell shocked Spurs staff, most of whom were informed via a club email that preceded the statement claiming he had stepped down.

Levy's replacement as Tottenham's new non-executive chairman, Peter Charrington, had been involved in the decision.

Spurs' chief executive officer Vinai Venkatesham, who had enjoyed a strong relationship with Levy, was equally important in the restructure.

The former Arsenal official has since taken ownership of the responsibilities as CEO, having felt the executive chairman role was old-fashioned.

However, Levy's exit is understood to have been driven by the Lewis family, headed up by Joe Lewis, whose kids, Vivienne and Charlie, played a key role.

The Lewis family owns a 70.12 per cent stake in ENIC (the 86.91 per cent controlling share of Tottenham), with the remaining 29.88 of the shares in the British investment company belonging to Levy.

Levy's exit could pave way for £3billion sale

Before his removal, Levy had been tasked with finding a minority investor, having held talks with Qatar Sports Investments.

His removal as chairman means it is more likely a full sale of Tottenham is considered, with the club valued at in excess of £3bn.

Suggestions that a Qatari investor are closing in on a full purchase of the club are denied by well-placed sources, talkSPORT can reveal.

At present, investors from the US and Saudi Arabia seem most engaged over both investment and commercial opportunities, talkSPORT understands.

Joe Lewis' children will ultimately play a major role in whether Tottenham will be put on the market, alongside Charrington.

Meanwhile, Fabio Paratici's return to oversee recruitment has not been impacted and is expected to be complete before the end of October.

Opportunity to 'transform' Spurs

Levy's Tottenham exit could provide the chance for an investor to 'transform' the club.

That is the opinion of football finance expert Kieran Maguire, should the outgoing chairman chooses to sell his shares.

On future plans, Maguire told talkSPORT: "First of all, I think we've got to look at Daniel's own investment in Spurs, 27 or 28 per cent.

"If he's not going to be involved in the day-to-day running of the club, why continue to own those shares? So he might choose to divest himself."

As for potential investment, Maguire added: "I'm fully aware that Spurs have got so many saleable points.

"It's in London. You don't have to spend money on the infrastructure because the stadiums there, the training facilities are magnificent.

"It's an incredibly attractive proposition to both American investors and Middle Eastern investors because it's easy to get to from a transport point of view.

"It's got history and heritage. There is the opportunity to transform it. It's in a relatively strong position from a PSR perspective.

"So therefore you're not constantly looking over your shoulder in terms of 'what can I buy and what can't I buy?'

"It's certainly the biggest club in town as far as potential investors are concerned, and then it comes down to the Lewis family and what their long-term objectives are."

Levy is not responsible for all of Tottenham’s problems

Former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp insists he enjoyed his time working under Levy and says the latter's exit took him by surprise.

“Absolutely out of the blue. I never saw that coming at all,” the ex-Spurs told talkSPORT

“I thought Daniel would be there forever. When someone texted me [the news], I thought, 'No, you’re having a wind-up.'”

“I never had any problem with Daniel,” Redknapp added. “I sit here and I don’t have any relationship with him or speak to him, not that I don’t want to.

“I found him very good to work for. He wasn’t at the training ground every day. He wasn’t poking his nose in as to who should and shouldn’t play.”

“Joe would have the final say,” Redknapp added. “Whether Daniel spent the money or didn’t, he always had to speak to Joe to get the final word on everything.

“If Joe didn’t want to spend big money in the transfer market, then Daniel wasn’t able to do that.

“He took the brunt of the criticism for sure, but it wasn’t always down to Daniel.”

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