Surely, it is the only missing piece Spurs have always wanted”- Amanda Staveley can give Tottenham fans one thing they have wanted from Daniel Levy for years
Tottenham Hotspur may soon welcome a new minority investor, should current discussions go according to plan. If speculation proves accurate, Amanda Staveley and her husband, Mehrdad Ghodoussi, could be the individuals stepping into this role.
Staveley, who stepped down as a director at Newcastle United in July, has been vocal about her desire to remain involved in football. In a recent interview with The Athletic, she expressed her passion for the sport and her eagerness to continue contributing, saying, “Mehrdad and I are keen to be hands-on. We’re hard-working people; I love to be very busy and to engage, and I love football. Very sadly, we have to move on to other projects, and that might involve us taking a stake in another club or buying another club, and that’s difficult. But it’s possible.”
Meanwhile, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has previously acknowledged that the club is actively seeking investment. Earlier this year, he confirmed the club’s intentions, stating, “Some form of minority investment is what we’re looking for.” With both Staveley’s aspirations and Tottenham’s search for investors, the two parties could be on the verge of forming an ideal partnership.
If Staveley and Ghodoussi were to invest in Tottenham, it could mark a significant change for the club’s fanbase. Staveley’s more open and public approach to leadership would contrast with the more reserved style Spurs supporters have grown accustomed to under Levy. Having served as chairman for over two decades, Levy has maintained a low public profile since ENIC’s acquisition of the club from Lord Alan Sugar. While Levy has been a steady hand behind the scenes for 23 years, his reticence to make public appearances or communicate openly with fans has been a point of contention for many supporters.
In recent years, Tottenham has taken steps to improve transparency by holding annual Fan Forums at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. These events provide a select group of fans with the opportunity to hear from Levy, the head coach, and other club figures. However, these forums have been limited in scope, and Levy rarely makes additional public statements or fields questions from fans outside these controlled environments.
Alasdair Gold, Tottenham correspondent for football.london, has highlighted the contrast between Levy and Staveley’s styles. “Tottenham and Levy like to work in the shadows, they try to do their business quietly and effectively. Amanda Staveley appears to be more of a public presence. She probably gave more interviews during her three years at Newcastle than Levy has done in the last 25 years!”
This contrast could be a significant factor for Spurs fans, who have long expressed frustration over the perceived lack of communication from the club’s leadership. Levy’s behind-the-scenes approach has often left supporters feeling disconnected from the decision-making processes at Tottenham. Should Staveley and Ghodoussi invest in the club, their more transparent, hands-on style could offer the fanbase the openness they’ve craved for years. Staveley’s willingness to engage directly with fans and the media could help bridge the gap between the club’s executives and its supporters.
In the end, an investment from Staveley and Ghodoussi could bring more than just financial benefits to Tottenham—it could foster a new era of communication and engagement, something that has been sorely lacking under Levy’s tenure. While Levy has guided Tottenham through significant growth and development, from their new stadium to consistent European competition, the fanbase may welcome a fresh perspective and leadership style that prioritizes openness and accessibility. This potential partnership might just be the change that Spurs fans have been waiting for.