Daily Mail

Thomas Frank has negotiated the first 96 days of his Tottenham rule with little fuss.

Through the minefield of contentious departures of his predecessor Ange Postecoglou, his captain Heung-min Son and his chairman Daniel Levy, the Dane has pitched more right than wrong.

He has spoken carefully, but more important than anything said has been unspoken message from the performances of his team.

Spurs are shaping up nicely as they approach 100 days under the new boss. Three wins out of four in the Premier League with only one goal conceded.

The tests are about to become tougher as the Champions League campaign starts.

The draw has been kind, but the added emotion involved, the drain of travel and demands on a head coach to navigate a way through, resting and rotating, trying to keep his key players fresh without losing the rhythm established and all the good habit adopted thus far.

On top of which, Frank is a novice in European competition. There were two failed Europa League campaigns while in charge of Brondby in his native Denmark, which did not extend beyond the qualifying rounds.

His tactical plan against Paris Saint-Germain in the Super Cup final, however, was enough to rock the European champions with a back-three and an aerial assault from set-pieces.

Although PSG were just back from their holidays after losing in the final of the Club World Cup, and still they fought back late in the game and took the trophy on penalties.

Even so, it felt like a tactical triumph for Frank in the early days of his tenure.

Indeed, the only real blemish has been a 1-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League, something for which he shouldered the blame.

'It was a bad performance and definitely didn't get better when I watched it back,' said Frank. 'I didn't help the players well enough in that game. I took the wrong decision in terms of the planning.'

His self-deprecation is part of his charm. Those who know him well talk of him as a skilled communicator and manager of people and if there were concerns about his ability to handle bigger egos they are fading.

Frank dealt quickly and decisively with Yves Bissouma's punctuality, dropping him from the squad for the Super Cup final for turning up late on more than one occasion.

Bissouma remains at the club but is injured and yet to appear for Frank. He is not part of the Champions League squad.

Another of Frank's big decisions was to make Cristian Romero captain. That, too, is shaping into an excellent judgment call.

Romero has grown into his leadership roles, initially as a vice-captain for two years under Postecoglou and for the last month as captain.

He is a quiet presence around the club. Described, not as a chest-beater but gentle family man, who carries himself respectfully with the aura you might expect from a world and South American champion with Argentina. He is a very different presence when off the pitch.

His on-field discipline has improved. There were 24 yellow cards and three reds during his first two seasons in Spurs colours. And he was sent off on Tottenham's last Champions League outing.

That was a shuddering wipe-out tackle on Theo Hernandez, a classic from the reckless Romero back catalogue on a night of simmering frustration against AC Milan in March 2023.

But almost two years have passed since his last dismissal, and he spoke on the eve of the Villarreal game about his bad reputation lingering despite his vastly improved disciplinary record.

'They throw the book at me,' smiled the Argentine. 'They taught me to defend like this as a kid and I have it inside me, that love of playing this sport. When I step on the pitch, I don't have friends. I don't have anything. It's just defending my shirt and my badge. It's in my blood. I've got this far because of it so why would I change?'

Romero has embraced new responsibilities and extended his contract to 2029, ending for now at least a spiral of rumour and speculation that he would rather be playing his football elsewhere.

The 27-year-old centre-half cuts a contented figure. In the squad, he is closest to Uruguayan Rodrigo Bentancur and Pedro Porro, another Spanish speaker. And Kevin Danso, who has inherited Son's role as the popular dressing room butterfly who can flit from one group to another and bring them all together.

Romero's mood, though, is notable because in the past via grumblings in the Argentine media or veiled posts on social media, he has often seemed unimpressed by life at Tottenham, whether it is the medical department failing to get him fit quickly enough or the club's refusal to grant him a private plane on his return from international duty.

He is not someone who will say the right things because he is expected to, so his decision to sign a new deal and his positive public messages provide Spurs fans with genuine hope that things have changed and that the future will be more successful under Frank and a new boardroom regime.

'Everything I said is because I want there to be a structure of a club that can be at the top level, part of the big clubs,' said Romero yesterday. 'That's why I was sometimes so angry before, but today I see a very, very organised club with a clear idea and a coach who is organising things and everyone is seeing that in a short space of time we are with him and that's it.

'Absolutely everyone inside is looking in the same direction and that is the important thing. We hope to continue like this.'

Romero's form has been exceptional both as the rock at heart of a strong back four and as a threat from set-pieces.

Others to improve under Frank have been Pape Matar Sarr and Djed Spence, both little more than fringe players in previous seasons.

Sarr started only 22 Premier League games last season but brings to the team everything a head coach would desire as a selfless runner off the ball, forward to stretch opponents and back to win tackles.

He can adjust to do what he does in various tactical shapes in the midfield area Frank flexes depending on whether he wants to reinforce defensively or inject more creativity to help the attacking unit score goals.

Sarr does not have the poise and flair of others, but the new Spurs boss values his contributions and with no others in the squad with similar qualities it will be intriguing to see if he seeks to protect him going into this congested fixture period unleashed by the Champions League.

Frank's judgment through his first 96 days has been impressive but it is about to become trickier.

Villarreal boss Marcelino insists Thomas Partey is in the right frame of mind to play against Tottenham before a court date hours later to answer charges of rape.

Partey, who left Arsenal on a free transfer in the summer, is expected at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday morning.

The 32-year-old Ghana international is on trial accused of five counts of rape against two women and one of sexual assault against a third woman.

First, though, he is in the Villarreal squad to face Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday, the opening night of this season's Champions League.

'I'm totally convinced that he is mentally prepared, technically prepared, to play the game,' said Marcelino. 'For sure he will be ready. We are really happy that Thomas is with us for his football capacity and ability and his presence as a human.

'He is a great player with lots of experience. He has played in some top sides. We know he has a great ability and great level.'

Marcelino would not confirm whether Partey would start because he was not in the habit of revealing his team selection so far in advance.

'They find out when they arrive in the dressing room what the team is,' he said at a press conference in Tottenham on the eve of the game, but he confirmed Partey had travelled from Spain with the squad.

'We're interpreting stuff about and talking about a player that could be totally innocent,' added Marcelino. 'We are playing a game of football where the important thing is football. This is where football was invented, after all. We're talking more about Thomas than the game.'

Tottenham winger Manor Solomon, who will spend this season on loan at Villarreal, is also part of the squad.

So is Juan Foyth, a 27-year-old Argentina defender, who spent four years at Spurs before from 2017, and former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe.

Tottenham could end up facing a player that they have had on their books for over two years as Thomas Frank's side return to Champions League action for the first time since 2023.

Spurs gained entry to this year's competition after ending their trophy drought in some style at the end of the last campaign.

Under former manager Ange Postecoglou, the north London side beat Premier League rivals Manchester United in the final of the Europa League - booking their spot at Europe's top table this term despite a woeful domestic finish.

But Spurs fans will be looking forward to testing their side against Europe's best after a promising start to the season on home soil.

Despite a maiden defeat to Bournemouth ahead of the international break, Tottenham have scored an impressive eight goals since the start of the season, and netted an impressive scalp in the form of a 2-0 win against Manchester City.

However, as the players begin their European journey against Villarreal on Tuesday evening, they could do so against a familiar face.

Spurs loanee Manor Solomon has been named in the LaLiga side's List A squad for the league phase of the competition, after joining the club on loan for the season.

Unlike the Premier League, loanee players are able to face off with their parent club in Europe.

Although Solomon is yet to make an appearance for his new club under manager Marcelino, but will be keen for minutes after opting to spend a second consecutive season on loan.

Israeli star initially moved to the Premier from Shakhtar Donetsk in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, booking a loan move to Fulham.

The 26-year-old then transferred permanently to Spurs in 2023, but sat out the entirety of the 2023-24 season after suffering a right knee meniscus injury.

Solomon spent the last campaign helping Leeds achieve promotion back to the Premier League on loan.

Daily Mail Sport reported on Sunday that a planned move closer to home was initially mooted.

Solomon's failed move to Crystal Palace was one of the casualties of Marc Guehi remaining at Selhurst Park instead of transferring to Liverpool on deadline day.

The two clubs had even prepared a deal sheet rubber-stamping Solomon's move, before it was eventually called off - opening the door for Villarreal.

In June, Spurs came under fire for blocking some accounts responding to images reposted by the club of Soloman's wedding.

The player has been vocal in his support of his homeland - where the wedding took place - amid ongoing conflict in the region and Israel's continued bombardment of Gaza.

Tottenham apologised for the 'error of judgement' which saw some accounts manually blocked.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is set to be greeted by thousands of empty seats on his Champions League debut.

Frank will lead Spurs back into Europe's most prestigious competition after two years away but the opening fixture of the campaign, at home against Villarreal has not grabbed the public imagination.

A crowd of around 54,000 is anticipated although tickets remained on sale at the time of writing.

This low uptake for the game at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium with its capacity of more than 62,000 has been blamed on a combination of tickets prices ranging from £27 to £96 and the limited appeal of the opposition and is expected to be a feature of the league phase of the Champions League in N17.

After Villarreal on Tuesday night, Spurs will also play host to Slavia Prague, Borussia Dortmund and Copenhagen.

They will be expected to qualify for the knockout rounds but it is underwhelming in commercial terms with no blue-chip home fixture against one of Europe's glamour clubs.

It will not deter Frank, who will be managing in the Champions League for the first time.

'Fantastic, so special,' said the Spurs boss. 'It's a European night and our fans will be on it. I'm really looking forward to the first two minutes, and then Champions League anthem and then I will focus on the game. Business as usual.'

Spurs head into the campaign with renewed optimism off the pitch after the seismic change of Daniel Levy's departure earlier this month.

Levy's near-25-year reign ended just as Frank began to put his stamp on the squad, with new chairman Peter Charrington and the Lewis family promising a more visible, hands-on approach and new chief executive Vinai Venkatesham becoming the club's public face.

On the field, there have been encouraging signs. Frank's team bounced back from a first defeat of the season against Bournemouth by sweeping aside West Ham 3-0 at the London Stadium on Saturday to register their third win in four games under the Dane.

Spurs take aim at Ineos

Tottenham Hotspur have hit back at Manchester United co-owners Ineos in the latest episode of the pair’s court battle.

Spurs are suing the petrochemicals firm after they exited from a sponsorship deal with the club and have now filed the latest tranche of papers at the High Court, in which they reject a subsequent attempt by Ineos to counter-sue.

Tottenham initially took legal action claiming Ineos, led by billionaire businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, had breached the terms of a £17m, five-year agreement which saw their Grenadier model named ‘official 4x4 partner’ of the club.

They are seeking more than £11m. However, last month Ineos fired back, accusing Spurs of lining up a sponsorship deal with rivals Audi, around the transfer of Harry Kane to Bayern Munich and demanding £1m.

Now, Tottenham have returned fire. While admitting to holding discussions with the German car manufacturer they say Ineos did not have the right to terminate the deal because they subsequently never entered into an agreement. Spurs’ lawyers add that even if Ineos’s termination was valid, they owed the club a payment of £4.25m on December 1 and the termination did not take place until December 6.

Ineos maintain they had a contractual right to terminate the contract, which they activated.

Lord Sugar to follow through?

It will be interesting to see if Lord Alan Sugar follows through with his threat to take legal action against Sky Sports after Jamie Redknapp claimed that Daniel Levy had inherited ‘a complete mess’ following his tenure at White Hart Lane.

The former Tottenham chairman and star of The Apprentice quickly took to social media to brand Redknapp a ‘double barrel idiot’ and added that Sky would be ‘hearing from my lawyers Monday’.

Should the legal challenge land, those at the broadcaster may well remind Lord Sugar of the 2007 deal which saw him sell electronics group Amstrad to BskyB - in a £125m takeover which reportedly saw him pocket a cool £34.5m.

Guehi's exit drama continues

The fallout over Marc Guehi’s failed transfer from Crystal Palace to Liverpool on deadline day continues. As part of what was a complex process, the Eagles agreed a move with Tottenham for forward Manor Solomon and went as far as signing a ‘deal sheet’, to allow them extra time to complete the switch.

However, Palace subsequently pulled out of the loan, leaving Spurs fuming. Inside Sport has since learned that Tottenham, who subsequently sent Solomon to Villareal, have suggested to the Premier League that such deal sheets become a binding document, which have to be honoured. They are, however, thought to be unlikely to succeed with their quest.

Family confusion raises eyebrows

The world of Olympic sport was left stunned following silver-medallist swimmer Ben Proud’s decision to join the doping-permitted Enhanced Games last week, with many wondering what former British Olympic Association chief Bill Sweeney, thought to be his godfather, would make of it all.

Inside Sport asked the RFU – where Sweeney is currently CEO - that very question, only to be told that he was actually godfather to Proud’s brother, Oliver. That raised eyebrows among many, despite previous reports to the contrary.

Indeed, in 2014 this very column noted that Sweeney had managed to secure tickets for Ben's parents to watch him in the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Kirsty's not holding back

Kirsty Coventry continues to ring the changes following her election as International Olympic Committee president – and has placed two Brits in key roles within the organisation.

Jan Paterson, former director at the British Olympic Association and currently the MD of sport at the Saudi giga-project NEOM, is to become the new chief of staff at the IOC, and will reinforce the much-needed dramatic shift in gender equity at senior level within the IOC.

Paterson’s no-nonsense, pragmatic approach to issues is a signal that the IOC may also be ready to address the discrepancy between its policy on Russia and Israel, as well as dealing with the huge threat of the Enhanced (doping-permitted) Games in Las Vegas next year.

Elsewhere ex-BBC journalist James Pearce, who worked on Coventry’s campaign, has been named chief communications advisor.

Lord Alan Sugar has sensationally threatened to sue Jamie Redknapp and Sky Sports over comments the former Tottenham and Liverpool star made about his tenure at Spurs.

Redknapp, 52, was working as a pundit for Sky Sports during the broadcaster's coverage of Tottenham's trip to West Ham and later Chelsea's clash with Brentford.

Ahead of the first London derby, Redknapp reflected on chairman Daniel Levy's shock exit from Tottenham, which stunned world football last week when he called time on his 24-year-long spell at the club.

Spurs have undergone significant changes after winning their first trophy since 2008 under Ange Postecoglou last term, first replacing the Australian manager with Thomas Frank before parting ways with long-standing chairman Levy.

Keen to focus on the positives after Levy's exit, Redknapp urged that Spurs fans should view the future with optimism.

In doing so, the former England international said that Sugar, who acted as chairman of Tottenham between 1991 and 2001, left the north London club 'in a mess'.

Furious with Redknapp's comments, Sugar posted to social media on Saturday: 'Jamie Redknapp is a double barrel idiot. He talks a load of rubbish.

'He said when Daniel Levy took over Spurs, Alan Sugar left the club in a right mess. He and SKY will be hearing from my lawyers Monday.'

The British billionaire, 78, followed his post up with another separate message almost an hour and a half later, which read: 'I am coming after you Jamie Redknapp idiot.'

Redknapp appeared on Sky Sports alongside host Kelly Cates and former Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola.

The ex-England international admitted he was 'surprised' by Levy's exit and spoke highly of the former Tottenham chairman, whose tenure was widely met with criticism from Spurs supporters.

'Well, first of all I was incredibly surprised but probably not as surprised as Daniel Levy was,' Redknapp said. 'I'm sure it was a shock to him, nobody expected it.

'They won their first trophy in 17 years and then we see the manager and the chairman go within that six month period.

'I think from Spurs' point of view, it's a great time to be optimistic. You mentioned Vinai (Venkatesham), I think he's going to be a really good CEO of the club, he's got a great way about him - make the club a bit more friendly to everybody.

'I think that's maybe been a problem, there's been a disconnect with the fans when Daniel Levy was there.

'One thing I will say, and I've been critical with Daniel - there were a few things I didn't like with how he operated - but in terms of the training ground, the facilities, the infrastructure, one of the best stadiums in world - he's done a great job.

'The one thing I'll say is the wages at the club - everyone applauds that - but I think what that's done is not get the best players for the club. So that's always been a bit difficult.

'But whoever takes over - you think back to how Alan Sugar left the club, it was a complete mess - Daniel Levy has left this club in a really good way and Vinai will know that and the people in charge now can look at this club and really believe that this can go forward.

'And maybe, no disrespect, but a bit more likeable. I think that's what they'll be looking to do and get that relationship with the fans, with the club and make everybody proud to be Tottenham fans. It's a huge fanbase - so many opportunities for the club to move forwards now.'

Tottenham enjoyed a dominant second-half display against West Ham at the London stadium to triumph 3-0 in their first game without Levy, scoring all three goals after half time.

Pape Matar Sarr netted the first with a powerful header at the back post before Lucas Bergvall looped a stunning header of his own past West Ham's sprawling Mads Hermansen to double the lead, shortly after Irons midfielder Tomas Soucek was sent off for a poor tackle.

Micky van de Ven put the game beyond any doubt with a cool finish inside the area, handing Spurs their third win of the season from four matches so far.

Three goals up and the camera panned along the front row of the directors’ box where Tottenham’s new regime looked on grim faced. Somebody might want to tell them this was a good day.

Three goals up at the home of London rivals, with Thomas Frank’s set-piece machine wreaking havoc on a West Ham side unable to match their physical presence or quality on the ball.

There have been seasons in recent memory when it gets little better than this for Spurs.

Back on the winning trail a fortnight after a dispiriting defeat at home against Bournemouth in what would prove to be the farewell game for chairman Daniel Levy.

The new order moved in and promised better days ahead and here they were, Vivienne Lewis, her son-in law Nick Beucher and chief executive Vinai Venketasham, all utterly inscrutable, and yet surely, deep inside, highly satisfied with what they had witnessed.

Pape Matar Sarr headed Spurs into the lead from a corner early in the second half and Lucas Bergvall made it two with another header, moments after West Ham had been reduced to 10 men, Tomas Soucek sent off for a studs-up tackle.

Micky van de Ven scored the third in the 64th minute. The London Stadium emptied at remarkable speed and West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen made a fine save to prevent a goal by Mohammed Kudus on his return to the club he left in the summer.

It could hardly have gone much better for Tottenham head coach Frank before his new bosses. He didn’t even have to send on deadline day striker Randal Kolo Muani, who was an unused substitute.

Xavi Simons, a £51million signing from Leipzig, made his Spurs debut, playing wide on the left. His first positive impact came after 17 minutes, jinking inside and taking aim.

His effort was deflected wide and from the corner that follow the visitors had the ball in the net.

Kudus took it. You could tell by the noise. The Ghana international was jeered when the teams were announced and every time the ball came his way. Every successful tackle on him was cheered by the home crowd.

His corner on this occasion was headed in at the near post by Cristian Romero but referee Jarred Gillett was quick to blow for a foul. Van de Ven pushed Kyle Walker-Peters who had been marking Romero.

It might easily have been construed as nothing more than the usual pushing and shoving at any given set-play but VAR John Brooks backed Gillett’s call.

Tottenham are a serious threat from set-plays under Frank. For starters, they have players with towering presence and here a series of inswinging corners pinned West Ham ‘keeper Hermansen to his line.

There were eight in the first half alone, whipped into such a crowded goal area that it was difficult for defenders to climb and get the leverage required on any headed clearances. They ended the first half under siege from one set play after another.

Van de Ven claimed a penalty when Mateus Fernandes wrestled him to the floor. Van de Ven’s point must have been that if his push was a foul then so was this. The officials did not accept it.

Potter’s team made it to the sanctuary of the interval on level terms, which is a credit to their resilience under pressure, and yet they had carried a flicker of a threat on the break during the earlier phase of the contest.

Malick Diouf was effective whenever he tore forward, overlapping from left back and delivering teasing crosses on the run but West Ham, with Lucas Paqueta at centre forward and Niclas Fullkrug on the bench, did not look like getting anyone on the end of them.

Their best effort of the first half came in the 14th minute, a slick move down the left, started by Walker-Peters culminated in an interchange featuring Jarrod Bowen, Fernandes and Paqueta who dragged a low shot wide on the turn.

But Spurs took control and two minutes into the second half took the lead and ran away with it. Not surprisingly the opener came from a corner, their ninth of the game.

This time taken by Simon and swung in deep with his right foot. Sarr appeared unmarked beyond the far post and headed it in, his first of the season for Spurs after two for Senegal during the international break.

There was an instant reaction by West Ham. Bowen forced Guglielmo Vicario into his first save of the game but the task suddenly became far more difficult when Soucek was sent off.

It was a straight red. Brandished for a studs-up tackle in midfield on Palhinha. Soucek tried to control a ball but it spilled away from him. Palhinha nipped in and won possession and was cut off around the shins.

The big Czech had barely disappeared from view when the 10 men left behind conceded again. Spurs passed the free-kick short and worked it along the back line to Romero, who clipped a pass forward.

Bergvall darted behind West Ham’s centre halves and looped a header over Hermansen.

Van de Ven poked in the third, which was the cue for thousands of home fans to head for the exits and for the those in the away end to start the ‘oles’ and songs about fire drills and libraries.

If this is life after Levy they are going to enjoy it.

Follow Daily Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as West Ham welcome Tottenham to the London Stadium in the Premier League.

Arsenal fans wasted no time letting their feelings about Ange Postecoglou be known as the former Tottenham Hotspur boss made his return to the Premier League with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

When Big Ange checked the Tricky Trees' fixture-list after getting the job earlier this week, he would've known a trip to the Emirates would be a tough start - and that's exactly what it was.

It took 32 minutes for Arsenal to break the dead-lock after a cagey opening third, with Martin Zubimendi connecting sweetly with a volley to send it past Matz Sels in the Forest net.

Viktor Gyokeres later made it two just after the interval when he tapped home a teasing cross from Eberechi Eze, before Zubimendi leaped to flick home a header and seal the victory for Mikel Arteta's men on 79 minutes.

It was far from a perfect start for Ange at Forest, who have now suffered back-to-back 3-0 defeats, and Arsenal supporters certainly let him know it.

'Are you Tottenham in disguise?,' the home supporters chanted at the Australian before later belting out: 'You're getting sacked in the morning!'

Under Evangelos Marinakis, Postecoglou will be well aware that he'll need to pick up points sooner rather than later if he's to see a second season at the City Ground.

Yet with easier fixtures on the horizon - Burnley at home next up before a trip to Real Betis in the Europa League - Forest fans will be hopeful their side can turnaround a somewhat disappointing start to the season.

Postecoglou was under no illusions as to the expectations he'll be expected to meet in his new job at his first Forest press conference earlier this week.

When asked whether he can bring silverware to the East Midlands, the manager replied: 'Of course I can, I may have to [win a trophy] to get a second year here.

'I've said it already, that's what I want to do. I want to win trophies. That's that's what I've done my whole career, and that's what I want to try and do here.

'Every club wants to be successful, but since the president took over the club those ambitions are backed up with actions. Perfect conditions for me.'

He took over the Forest job from Nuno Espirito Santo following a growing feud between the Portuguese boss and the club's bullish Greek owner.

Tensions had been rising as early as the summer as Nuno complained about his squad heading into the new season, with the former Wolves manager later admitting his relationship with Marinakis was not what it used to be.

The Forest owner however seemingly threw water on the fire just a couple of weeks ago, claiming he and Nuno maintain a 'strong relationship'.

Yet just days on and Nuno was shown the exit the door, with Ange - who had dined with Marinakis in Greece over the summer - taking over just hours later.

From a sponsored chair in a room deep within the world created by Daniel Levy, head coach Thomas Frank paid his own small tribute to Tottenham’s unseated ruler.

It started with the obligatory hat tip towards the ‘world-class’ training centre and stadium and how that primes the club for success, but beyond that, a life without Levy seemed to hold few differences for the Dane.

'Big news but I only really worked with him for three months,' shrugged Frank, who figured a shock split with owner Matthew Benham at Brentford would have felt more significant. 'I’ve said thank you. I know it’s not only him appointing me but he had probably the decisive words, so I can only appreciate that in every aspect.'

The head coach would not normally have expected much interaction with the board this week with the transfer window shut, but he found himself meeting with the new chairman Peter Charrington and members of the Lewis family now promising to take a more active interest in the club than billionaire patriarch Joe ever did.

'Good, constructive conversations,' said Frank. 'I feel the backing and they’re happy. They’re very committed and they want to build something good for the future.'

And there was no added pressure from a boardroom suddenly casting out messages about greater sporting success. 'We all want to win as much as possible,' said Frank.

Others around Tottenham’s training centre near Enfield confessed eight days since the Levy bombshell had been surreal. The most powerful presence since the place was built had gone in a flash with few goodbyes. The dust settling, the true impact remained unclear.

Beyond Hotspur Way, Spurs fans have similar thoughts. Will Levy’s exit spark the changes they crave? Not only more trophies and more ambition but closer involvement in their club? Will their voices be heard? Will the culture be more transparent?

The large yellow anti-ENIC banners will be packed away for now and the Levy Out songs will fall silent, but the ownership structure has not changed. ENIC remain the majority shareholders, the club is definitely ‘not for sale’ it has been made clear, and Levy holds a stake worth nearly a third of ENIC.

So beady eyes will be kept out to see what really changes, to see if it is more than an elaborate rebranding exercise, with the toxic chairman replaced at the front and centre of the club by Vinai Venkatesham, a chief executive who oozes corporate charm.

The Lewises led by Joe’s daughter Vivienne will be more visible, starting at West Ham with more of the family expected for the Champions League tie at home to Villarreal on Tuesday.

'It’s about humanisation and that seems like a Vinai thing,' says Martin Cloake, season ticket holder and former co-chair of the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust.

'He has an incredibly good reputation from his time at Arsenal and comes across as a much better communicator than Daniel ever was. You can say it’s all very slick and proof of the pudding is in the eating but if there’s going to be a more open culture there that’s a good thing.'

Vague promises about greater transparency have emerged post Levy. For one thing, it aligns with the open Scandinavian outlook of Frank and Tottenham’s technical director Johan Lange.

'It’s very important to be transparent and clear,' said Frank. 'What are we are dealing with? What is the ambition? Can we adjust expectations? Are we on the same page? What is the strategy? Are we aligned? That’s absolutely crucial.'

There is also a desire also to ease the burden of responsibility from the head coach as the club’s lone public voice. Ange Postecoglou and Antonio Conte both criticised the boardroom silence during their managerial tenures.

'It was time for change,' says Cloake. 'I spent eight years there banging my head against a wall along with other people trying to get the club to be more collegiate and listen to its fans more.

'And they weren’t particularly interested. To me, Spurs as an institution didn’t seem like a particularly happy place to work. I believe in idea that you get more out of people if you give them support and space to fail.

'There was a culture with everyone looking over their shoulders. Nobody really took any chances and that stifles creativity. Is it really going to change? I understand people are sceptical but you have to take people at their word without being naïve and see if it goes somewhere.'

Venkatesham appears big on soft glossy interviews from within the comfort of the club’s own media channels but has yet to field any independent questions from the national media.

However, having crossed the North London divide from a similar role at Arsenal he has made a positive impression on Spurs fans and attended a fans’ advisory board meeting on Tuesday.

'A lot of us are hopeful,' says Jay Coughlan of Change for Tottenham. 'As a protest group we won’t disappear. There are people not happy to see ENIC still in control but there has to a period where we give this the space to settle and observe.'

There are some easy wins available to the new regime. First and foremost, a long running dispute with supporters over the withdrawal of ticket concessions for over-65s.

It has been branded ‘immoral’ and ‘unethical’ by Save Our Seniors protesters and could be easily reversed. A price freeze on season tickets would be well-received, too. As would dialogue aimed at improving the atmosphere in the stadium, something Venkatesham did at Arsenal.

Then there’s performances on the pitch. The big one. Competing at the top by attracting talent and winning.

Spurs were booed off after losing at home to Bournemouth, a first defeat of the season in the final game of Levy’s 25 years in charge.

They go to London rivals West Ham on Saturday, with new signings Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani both available but the latter short of match fitness and unlikely to start.

Dominic Solanke is still out with an ankle injury, but this is more comfortable territory for Frank dealing with those sorts of issues and for the first time in a long time a Spurs team can go about their business without the sound of protest in the stands. West Ham, mind you, cannot say the same.