Spurs admit 'football success was not driving decisions'

Tottenham Hotspur has candidly acknowledged that "football success had not been driving our decisions," as non-executive chairman Peter Charrington expressed accountability and a commitment to rebuilding the club in an open letter addressed to its fans.

The team narrowly escaped relegation with a 1-0 victory against Everton on the final day of the Premier League season, securing a 17th-place finish for the second consecutive year following a challenging campaign that Charrington described as having fallen "well short" of expectations.

"Last September, we recognized that something seismic had to change at Spurs," Charrington noted, having joined the board in March 2025.

"The Lewis family stepped in and authorized a full reset. That decision was not taken lightly, and it came later than it should have."

This reset coincided with Daniel Levy stepping down after an extensive tenure of nearly 25 years as executive chairman. Sources indicate that this shift was aimed at enhancing the club's sporting performance.

"As part of that process, we discovered some uncomfortable truths," Charrington commented.

"The qualities that make Spurs distinct—our football, our ambition, the connection between the team and its supporters—had been allowed to fade. Football success had not been driving our decisions.

"We did not have the right expertise in key roles. We did not build squads good enough to compete in the most demanding league in the world."

Charrington was present at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the season finale, alongside Vivienne Lewis, representing the ownership family, her son-in-law Nick Beucher, and the club's finance officer Matthew Collecott.

Under the management of Roberto de Zerbi, Spurs required at least a point on the final day to avert their first relegation from the top tier since 1977, and a crucial home victory against Everton ensured that West Ham faced relegation instead.

Charrington further revealed that Spurs have restructured their football operations, with new executive and football teams already in place, and additional appointments anticipated in the weeks ahead.

The chairman expressed strong support for De Zerbi, who signed a five-year contract upon his arrival in March, emphasizing that he is "the kind of football and ambition that Tottenham should stand for."

This follows commendations from Spurs midfielders James Maddison and Conor Gallagher, who attributed the club's survival from relegation to De Zerbi's impact as the third manager of the season, succeeding Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor.

"Without that appointment, disaster could have maybe struck, but it didn't, and he takes a lot of credit for that because of the work he's done behind the scenes and on the training pitch," Maddison stated.

Gallagher complemented this, saying, "From the first day or two he had everyone under his wing. Everyone trusted him instantly and everything he was doing—it was like 'thank God he's come in' straight away."

'Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale'

Charrington also addressed ongoing speculation surrounding the ownership of the club, asserting that Tottenham is "not for sale" and reaffirming the Lewis family's "wholly committed" approach to the rebuild.

Last September, Spurs declined an informal expression of interest from a consortium led by American tech entrepreneur Brooklyn Earick regarding a potential takeover.

He emphasized that the club will focus on constructing a squad under De Zerbi capable of "competing at the highest levels of Premier League and European football" through investment over multiple transfer windows, beginning this summer.

Plans to enhance football operations with particular attention to medical and performance departments are also in place.

Moreover, Charrington committed to investing in the club's academy and the women's team managed by Martin Ho.

"Even in the darkest of seasons, you showed up and carried this team," he conveyed to the supporters.

"That loyalty is not something we take for granted. It is something we are determined to be worthy of.

"This season fell well short of what Tottenham demands. We must be in the fight with the best teams in this league, every season, and we are rebuilding this club with that standard in mind."