The Mirror

Daniel Levy left his role as Tottenham chairman with immediate effect on Thursday after Spurs announced that he'd 'stepped down', but it's being reported that he was forced out

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.

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 the Overlap, 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.

Do you agree with Daniel Levy? Have your say in the comments section.

"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."

Daniel Levy has stepped down from his role as Tottenham's executive chairman, and the 63-year-old had built up a reputation for his hard-nosed negotiating, something Sir Alex Ferguson was all too familiar with

Daniel Levy has stepped down as Tottenham's executive chairman after almost 25 years at the club. And an admission made by the iconic Sir Alex Ferguson summed up his shrewd and often frustrating negotiating skills.

Levy, who joined the Spurs board in December 2000, has been the figurehead behind the north London club's move from White Hart Lane to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He now steps down with no changes being made to his ownership or shares in the club, as the Levy family will continue to own 29.88 per cent of the share capital of ENIC.

It comes hot on the heels of Vinai Venkatesham's arrival as Chief Executive Officer, while Peter Charrrington has joined the board and stepped into the role of Non-Executive Chairman, in what has been described as a move prioritising sporting success.

Levy was renowned during his time with Spurs for his approach to transfers, building up a reputation as a shrewd negotiator with an eye for a deal. However, these tactics rubbed legendary Manchester United boss Ferguson the wrong way when the two were pitched against each other in negotiations over Dimitar Berbatov 17 years ago.

Berbatov eventually sealed a switch from White Hart Lane to Old Trafford for £30million, although the bitter fallout saw Tottenham complain to the Premier League over the move. Afterwards, Ferguson was less than complimentary when reflecting on the negotiations.

"That whole experience was more painful than my hip replacement," he penned in his book, Leading, displaying just how difficult Levy was to deal with, effectively paying the now-63-year-old a backhanded compliment about his negotiating skills.

After Levy's exit was announced, he released a heartfelt statement: "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," he continued.

"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 will now step up as the Non-Executive Chairman, and he stated after joining the Tottenham board: "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."

Daniel Levy has stepped down as chairman of Spurs, sending shockwaves through football, but how much do fans really know about the man who steered Tottenham for 25 years?

After 25 years, Daniel Levy has stepped down as chairman of Tottenham Hotspur. Levy was the longest-serving chairman in the Premier League, having taken over the role in 2001.

While his presence in the director's box has been a point of contention amongst fans in recent years, the 63-year-old helped deliver Tottenham’s new stadium, which was completed in 2019. A lack of silverware has been used against him, with Spurs going 17 years without a major trophy after winning the League Cup in 2008.

Last season they finally ended that wait under Ange Postecoglou, seeing off Manchester United in the final to win the Europa League. Spurs also reached the Champions League final in 2019, only to be beaten by Liverpool.

While fans have criticised Levy for a lack of ambition, he is regarded as a die-hard supporter - attending his first game at White Hart Lane back in the 1960s - and has been praised for the new stadium’s financial success.

Such is the mark that Levy has left on the football world, legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson once even branded him a fierce negotiator when it came to transfer dealings. As Spurs now embark on a new era, Mirror Football takes a closer look at Levy, from his net worth to his personal life.

What is Daniel Levy’s net worth?

The Sunday Times Rich List 2025 values Levy's net worth at £650million, putting him in the top 250 of the wealthiest people in the UK. Tottenham are controlled by ENIC International Limited, who own 86.58 per cent of the north London club.

Levy and his family held a 29.4 per cent stake in ENIC, which made him a minority shareholder in the club, while the Joe Lewis family trust owns a controlling 70.6 per cent.

Tottenham are estimated to be worth around £2.42billion as of 2025. The rise in the club’s stature on and off the pitch has also contributed directly to Levy’s wealth.

Who is Daniel Levy married to?

Levy is married to his former personal assistant, Tracy Dixon. The couple have four children, but Levy has chosen to keep his family largely away from the public eye.

Business, however, seems to run in the family. Levy is the son of Barry Levy, owner of the Blue Inc. clothing and menswear brand, which has over 41 stores across the UK. His son, Josh, is a non-executive director of pub chain Mitchell & Butler, meanwhile.

Why has Daniel Levy left Tottenham?

Neither Levy nor Spurs offered a specific reason why he has chosen to vacate his post at this particular time. According to some reports, the move is part of a wider plan from the Lewis family to take the club in a new direction.

In a statement, 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."

Ex-Arsenal chief gets influential role as truth behind Daniel Levy's Tottenham exit ermerges

Long-serving Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has confirmed his departure from the club, having spent nearly a quarter of a century in charge at the Premier League club

Daniel Levy's Tottenham exit is part of a set of wider changes from the club's ownership which are only just beginning to take hold. Levy was the longest-serving chairman in the Premier League, but confirmed on Thursday he was stepping away after nearly 25 years.

Levy, 63, joined Spurs' board in 2000 and took over as chairman from Alan Sugar. He has overseen the hiring and firing of several managers in that time, most recently dismissing Ange Postecoglou and appointing Thomas Frank.

According to football.london, the move is part of a wider plan from owners the Lewis family to take the club in a new direction. It comes not long after the appointment of former Arsenal exec Vinai Venkatesham as Spurs' new CEO, while other recent changes have taken place behind the scenes.

The same publication reports that in the years since long-term owner Joe Lewis stepped back from his role, his children and grandchildren have been more active in backing the club. This has led to the appointment of Venkatesham, who held a number of Arsenal roles - including CEO - before leaving in 2024.

Spurs also have a new non-executive chairman in place in the form of Peter Charrington. However, football.london reports that he will oversee the big picture rather than emulating Levy's more hands-on approach.

“I am incredibly proud of the work I have done together with the executive team and all our employees," Levy said upon the confirmation of his exit. "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.”

When Levy took over during the 2000-01 season, Spurs were languishing in mid-table under the management of George Graham. The new chairman replaced Graham with club legend Glenn Hoddle in April 2001, reaching the League Cup final the following season, but it was not until 2008 when the London club won their first trophy of the Levy era.

The wait for trophy number two went on even longer, though. After overseeing a move into a new stadium, Levy saw Spurs suffer a painful Champions League final defeat against Liverpool in 2019 and a narrow League Cup final loss against Manchester City two years later.

Spurs finally got their trophy in 2025, beating Manchester United in the Europa League final. That wasn't enough for manager Postecoglou to stay at the helm, but Levy leaves with a new boss installed as the team returns to the Champions League.

There were moments when Spurs' transfer window looked like becoming a disaster but Thomas Frank's side's late business demonstrated it's not over until it's over

Tottenham spent much of the summer being the laughing stock of the transfer window. But, now the window has finally shut, it is Spurs boss Thomas Frank who is entitled to have the last laugh.

After missing out on the likes of Eberechi Eze, Morgan Gibbs-White and Bryan Mbeumo, it looks like it was going to be a summer of frustration. Tottenham saw Eze go to bitter rivals Arsenal, Gibbs-White opted to stay at Nottingham Forest and Mbeumo chose Manchester United ahead of Spurs.

But if you look at the end result after spending in excess of £170m, they have emerged with a much stronger squad, proven internationals and better options in key areas. And just to put the cherry on the cake, they also did their own piece of gazumping by signing Holland international Xavi Simons for £51m from RB Leipzig from under Chelsea's noses.

If Arsenal can do it, then so can Tottenham. And the reality is that Tottenham have greater depth, an ambitious new manager in Frank and also the rewards of playing in the Champions League this season.

They did also recoup £45m by cashing in on Son Heung-min, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Bryan Gil which means their net spend was £125m. The figures actually mean that Tottenham are the fourth biggest net spenders in the Premier League in the past five years, behind only Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

It is hard to criticise chairman Daniel Levy on the outlay - it is just they have not tended to spend the money wisely. That is something they have been determined to change this summer and it has been done with joined up thinking between Frank, technical director Johan Lange, Levy, new chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and other members of the recruitment and scouting team.

Last season ended on a high for Tottenham as Ange Postecoglou’s parting gift was the Europa League. But the reason why they lost 22 games and conceded 65 goals in the Premier League was not just a leaky defence.

You had to be pretty naive not to see Tottenham were crying out for a midfield anchorman and the season-long deal - for just over £4m in a loan fee - for Joao Palhinha is astonishing business. That might just be one of the best deals of the summer as they recruited the Portugal international from Bayern Munich knowing full well he was sensational and so consistent for Fulham. They also have an option to buy him next summer for just £27m.

They spent £55m on Mohammed Kudus from West Ham and Frank’s influence has been obvious as now Tottenham do not just have a quality wide player but also one that works very hard. Simons has been destined for Chelsea all summer and yet, with no deal done, Tottenham swooped and his quality as a No10 is a perfect fit after they lost James Maddison for most of the season with a knee injury.

They probably did not have that position in their sights until Maddison got injured but they pressed the button on Simons and they have international quality. They spent £5m on Kota Takai as one for the future, turned Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso into permanent deals - then saved perhaps the most eye-catching for last.

When Randal Kolo Muani became available late on in the window, Tottenham were quick to do a deal with Paris Saint Germain for bargain money. All in all, it leaves Tottenham with better attacking options, experience and quality in midfield and a squad which looks markedly stronger at the end of the window. And that, as any manager or sporting director will testify, is the biggest aim of all.

Tottenham Hotspur full-back Djed Spence has earned his first senior England call-up for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia and could make his debut

Djed Spence is set to create his own piece of history by becoming the first Muslim to play for England. Tottenham defender Spence, 25, has revealed his pride in being a trailblazer and also how his faith has helped him overcome even the hardest times in his career.

The Football Association will also recognise it as a point in time for the first openly Muslim player to represent the senior England team ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier with Andorra at Villa Park. Spence said: “It’s a blessing, it’s amazing.

"I did see something like that. I was surprised, really, first ever. It’s just amazing. I don’t have the words really.

“I think it shows if I can do it, you can do it. Not just Muslim kids, any child of any faith. Put your mind to something and you can do it, man.

“It’s definitely a big deal to play for England, 100 per cent. I don’t really feel the pressure for certain things. I just play football with a smile on my face, be happy, and the rest will take care of itself.”

Spence has endured a rollercoaster career which has taken him from Middlesbrough to Nottingham Forest onto Tottenham and then loan spells with Rennes, Leeds and Genoa. It would be fair to say there have been bumps in the road on his journey - not least with highly critical remarks from ex-Spurs boss Antonio Conte and former Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock - but his religion has carried him through.

Spence said: “First things first, God is the greatest. I pray a lot, I give gratitude to God. It’s a big thing for me, my faith.

“In the toughest moments of my life, the darkest moments, i’ve always believed that God has always been by my side. When I’m winning, when I’m in a good moment, I promote God as well because he’s always been by my side.”

Spence joined Tottenham in 2022 and, despite only really establishing himself last season under Ange Postecoglou, the fans have always backed him. His energy, drive and determination from both full back positions have made him a firm favourite and the supporters have called for him to play even when he was not starting.

That makes him smile along with the support of his three older sisters, his dad Simon and his No1 fan, mum Aisha who used to drive him everywhere as a kid trying to break through. Now Spence is reaping the rewards and he also says that his mentality and determination have carried him through.

Spence said: “I wouldn’t say a tough journey, but it’s been a long journey. There have been good times and bad times, but I think when you believe in yourself and trust in God, everything will align with itself. Without a strong mentality, you won’t make it to the top. I definitely think I have got a strong mentality, especially to fight through challenges.

“Sometimes in football when things go bad, they go really bad. I was out on loan, playing, then I stopped playing and then got injured before the under-21s Euros… and they won it. I would have loved that. So I would probably say that was a point in my career where it was really tough.

"It has always been my plan to make it to the senior team. It might not have been in my vision so close ahead. It’s a blessing.”

While Conte was the lowest point at Tottenham, it was Postecoglou who helped him win the Europa League and he celebrated with his now traditional picture of himself smoking a cigar. Spence is also very positive about new Spurs boss Thomas Frank.

Spence added: “I feel I’m getting better day by day. I feel I’m improving and that’s down to me staying focused, being a sponge and listening to my coaches and the staff.

“Just that willing to learn. I want to be the best in my position and to do that you’ve got to keep working hard and keep taking on advice. You’ve got to do everything to the maximum.

“Ange Postecoglou made me a champion, so I always have gratitude to him for that. And he was a good manager, good guy. I don't really have anything else to say really about it. Gave me my opportunity, which I'm grateful for. I've respect for him.

“Thomas Frank is amazing, man. He’s been amazing to me, fills me with confidence, very open and just a down to earth manager. I think he’s going to be amazing for the club.”

Antonio Conte shattered Djed Spence's confidence shortly after Tottenham signed him in the summer of 2022, but now the full-back is shining and has been called up by England

Djed Spence has accused former Tottenham boss Antonio Conte of “shattering his confidence.”

Tottenham defender Spence launched a stinging attack on Conte and revealed he keeps a “mental note” of all the managers who have doubted him in his career.

Napoli boss Conte made it clear that Spence was not his signing when Spurs bought him back in the summer of 2022 as the Italian said: “Spence is an investment of the club. The club wanted to do it. The club decided to buy him.”

Spence did not start a single Premier League game under Conte before being farmed out on loan to French club Rennes just five months later.

Full back Spence, 25, who has now won his first senior England call-up, said: “I would probably say the biggest hurdle is when I signed for Tottenham and I didn’t necessarily feel the love straight away, with the manager and everything.

“I was on such a high going into the club. When I went there, I was on a high, and then I almost came crashing down because of comments from the manager and not playing. I was in a difficult space then.

“I am buzzing, I am going to sign for Tottenham. So to hear comments like that wasn’t nice. It does shatter your confidence a bit.

“But, you know, I am a fighter. So, whatever I do I will try to do my best in everything I can. Fast forward, I am here now, so I am happy.

“I wouldn't say I particularly have a list or anything, but I do have a mental note of people who doubted me, for sure, and it does feel good to prove them wrong.

“Obviously, at the time it wasn't nice but I feel like I don't put my energy into certain things like that. I just focus, do what I need to do. I've got a good family behind me that keeps me focused.”

Tottenham name Champions League squad as £30m summer signing among six players left out

Tottenham have confirmed a 22-man squad for the Champions League group stage with the likes of James Maddison and Yves Bissouma missing out on the competition

Mathys Tel is among six players who have been left out of Tottenham's Champions League squad for the first half of the 2025/26 season.

The club had to submit their 25-man squad for the league phase to UEFA by 11pm on Tuesday, September 2, ahead of their return to Europe's top competition later this month.

Tottenham has previously faced challenges with their European squad due to differing rules from those in the Premier League. The issue lies in a shortage of club-trained players and an excess of more than the required four association-trained players and the permitted 17 non-homegrown players.

This has led to previous managers having to exclude players from a European squad. The situation has worsened this season, with a total of six players being dropped by Thomas Frank for the league phase.

The players left out are Radu Dragusin, Kota Takai, Yves Bissouma, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Tel, who joined Spurs in a £30m permanent deal this summer having spent the second half of last season on loan. Maddison is expected to miss the bulk of the season with an ACL injury, while Kulusevski is also currently sidelined.

Unfortunately, Tottenham are not in a position to name a full 25-man squad for the Champions League due to a lack of club-trained players. Brandon Austin is the only player in that category, leaving three spots unfilled, reports Football London.

This puts them in a difficult situation where they can only name a 22-man squad instead of the usual 25.

A revised squad list can be submitted for the knockout round, allowing a maximum of three changes for the remaining matches in the tournament. In last season's Europa League, Djed Spence was added to the Tottenham squad for the knockout phase after being left out for the initial part of the competition, with manager Ange Postecoglou regrettably having to make cuts.

In this season's Champions League, Spurs are set to face Villarreal, Bodo/Glimt, AS Monaco, FC Copenhagen, PSG, Slavia Prague, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt. Here is Tottenham's squad for the league phase:.

Goalkeepers: Guglielmo Vicario, Antonin Kinsky, Brandon Austin.

Defenders: Kevin Danso, Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero, Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, Ben Davies, Micky van de Ven.

Midfielders: Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Mohammed Kudus, Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert, Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur.

Strikers: Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, Randal Kolo Muani.

Arsenal have agreed a deal for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie and the Ecuador international has previously been compared to a Tottenham Hotspur star

Arsenal are set to seal a move for Bayer Leverkusen star Piero Hincapie, who was previously likened to Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero. Hincapie has spent four years at Leverkusen but is expected to become Arsenal’s eighth signing of the summer.

The Gunners have agreed an initial loan deal with an option to buy the 23-year-old for £45million, despite reportedly having a £50m release clause. He is viewed as Arsenal’s replacement for Jakub Kiwior ahead of his proposed move to Porto.

Hincapie previously admitted that his brother had compared him to Spurs defender Romero, though the Ecuador international attempted to model his game on other top stars. Here is a closer look at Hincapie’s career so far.

Early years and move to Bayer Leverkusen

Hincapie left home as a 10-year-old to pursue his football career, attending his club CS Norte America’s boarding school in Guayaquil. He later joined Independiente del Valle, where he won the U20 Copa Libertadores and made three first team appearances before earning a move to Argentinian side Talleres.

He featured on 22 occasions for Talleres during his sole year in Argentina. Hincapie subsequently made his Ecuador debut during the 2021 Copa America, with his performances capturing Leverkusen’s attention.

Hincapie, who can operate at centre-back and left-back, has played 166 games for the German side. He made 26 league appearances as Leverkusen won their first-ever Bundesliga title in 2024, as well as helping the club win the DFB-Pokal and reach the Europa League final.

Cristian Romero comparison and role models

It is easy to understand why Hincapie’s brother drew parallels between his sibling and Spurs defender Romero, who has developed a reputation for his ill-discipline. Since arriving in Germany four years ago, Hincapie has been suspended on 10 occasions, picking up nine yellows and one red card across 45 games last term.

Spurs star Romero was once branded “absolutely mad” by Gary Neville after being booked for a reckless challenge on Callum Wilson during a win over Newcastle in December 2023. "He's mad, him, honestly," Neville told Sky Sports. "Absolutely mad. I think it's a red card at first look. He's crazy, Romero. He always has to tackle. Slowing players down doesn't come into his head."

However, two other players were Hincapie’s role models. During his early years in Ecuador, he studied videos of Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos and Barcelona legend Carles Puyol.

"I watched the videos so I wouldn't get bored on the bus, and that's when I realised that I really liked Puyol,” Hincapie told Scouted Football, as reported by Bundesliga.com. “He had a special way of playing, perhaps less technical than Ramos, but he was a leader and captain. One of the best centre-backs I've ever seen."

Piero Hincapie’s family values

Hincapie has stressed the importance of his family, who provided guidance as he moved from Ecuador to Argentina. He then weighed up his decision to join Leverkusen amid interest from several clubs, with his eldest brother also joining him in Germany.

"I had different offers from Europe and I considered them all carefully. I spoke to my family, to myself, to God – and I opted for Bayer 04,” Hincapie explained to Leverkusen’s club website. “I have great respect for the country and the language and my family had always emphasised that a lot of Latinos play here – and some of them for many years. That was an important reason. Because if they stay here for a long time then they must feel at home."

The defender has previously praised his parents for his and his siblings’ upbringing. However, Hincapie quickly recognised the financial responsibility that came with being a top-flight footballer.

"I'm suddenly earning much more money for our circumstances,” Hincapie admitted. “That's not so important to me because I just want to play football. But now I have the chance to help my family.

“Of course, I allow myself something as well but the most important thing for me is to be able to give something back to my parents and everybody else and that I can ensure that they have a comfortable life. My nanna's income isn't enough to live on. When everybody is looked after then I can also allow myself a couple of expensive things.”

Defender Matt Doherty joined Atletico Madrid from Tottenham in 2023, but the north London side didn't receive any fee for the Irishman, as a little-known FIFA rule saw his contract terminated

Tottenham hoped to loan defender Matt Doherty to Atletico Madrid on deadline day two years ago, but a FIFA rule meant his contract had to be terminated. The Irishman cost Spurs £14.7million when they signed him from Wolves in 2020.

Doherty, who thrived at Molineux as a right-sided wingback, was snapped up by Tottenham, then managed by Jose Mourinho, for roughly £15m five years ago and swiftly developed into a moderate squad player.

Three years after he penned his initial Spurs deal, Pedro Porro's imminent arrival from Sporting CP meant the defender was surplus to requirements. After making 71 appearances, scoring three goals and providing nine assists, his days in north London seemed numbered, and Atletico showed an interest.

On January deadline day in 2023, Doherty looked set to make a temporary move to Spain, with no buy-option included, but a FIFA rule threw a spanner in the works. Clubs were only allowed to loan out a maximum of eight senior players. Since this quota had already been filled, Doherty's deal was terminated before signing with Atletico on a free.

In 2022, FIFA announced new regulations that would cap the number of international loans in and out of football clubs. Clubs were limited to eight loan exits, with any club-trained players or players under the age of 21 exempt.

This rule is still in place today. However, the figure has been cut from eight individuals to six, and it still only applies to those who are over 21 or not club-trained.

This new rule scuppered Doherty's prospective move to the Spanish capital, as Spurs had already loaned out Harry Winks, Tanguy Ndombele, Bryan Gil, Joe Rodon, Sergio Reguilon, Giovani Lo Celso, Djed Spence, and Destiny Udogie at the time of his planned exit.

To sign for Diego Simone's side, Doherty had to move permanently, and the only solution was to terminate his deal. Antonio Conte's team did just that, and he landed in La Liga on a free.

Doherty's time in Spain was incredibly short. He played just twice for Atletico before becoming a free agent again the following summer. From there, Doherty returned to the Premier League with his former side, Wolves, signing a three-year deal.

The club's former sporting director, Matt Hobbs, stated upon Doherty's return: "We're really happy Matt's back and he's one the manager really wanted when he knew he was available.

"After Spurs and Atletico Madrid, he's hungry to prove himself again, and will add strength in depth to the full-back area, providing competition and making us better in those positions.

"He knows the club and what it means to play here – he's been successful at Wolves before and knows what the fans want," continued Hobbs, who only left the club this summer.

"For us, it's another homegrown player, but one who can share his knowledge and the required standards across the group, so he will be able to slot back in no problem."

Just over three years after his last appearance, Doherty was reintroduced to the Wolves faithful during an EFL Cup tie against Blackpool in August 2023. The 33-year-old remains at Molineux to this day, with his current deal expiring in 2026.