New Tottenham boss names the one big change he is going to make at the club
Newly appointed Tottenham Hotspur CEO, Vinai Venkatesham, has stepped into his role with ambitious plans to reshape the club’s culture, operations, and relationship with its fanbase. With a clear strategic vision and a focus on three core areas, Venkatesham is aiming to implement a significant shift in how the club functions both on and off the pitch—one that prioritizes communication, collaboration, and competitiveness.
The former Arsenal executive officially began his role last month in a newly-created CEO position at Spurs, and sources close to the club suggest he has already made a strong and positive impression behind the scenes. Venkatesham’s arrival is being viewed as a turning point in Tottenham’s leadership structure, particularly in terms of improving transparency and the frequency of communication between the club’s senior management and its supporters.
One of Venkatesham’s earliest and most critical objectives is to build a stronger bridge between the club’s hierarchy and its fanbase—a gap that has widened over recent years due to inconsistent messaging and limited engagement. Determined to break from this precedent, he has emphasized the importance of transparency and dialogue in everything the club does. In that spirit, he participated in a two-hour-long meeting last week with the club’s Fan Advisory Board (FAB), where he introduced himself, laid out his vision, and listened to concerns and ideas from supporters.
During the session, the new CEO explained that his role will involve overseeing day-to-day operations at Tottenham and working to make fans proud of the club again—not just in terms of domestic and European success, but also through fostering a stronger emotional connection between the fans and the team. He referred to magical moments like the dramatic Europa League victory over Athletic Bilbao as examples of the type of nights he wants to help recreate on a consistent basis.
Venkatesham revealed that he has identified three priority areas that will shape his early work at Spurs: football performance, supporter engagement, and staff development. According to the official minutes of the meeting, he is taking a hands-on approach to learning and listening, having already met with multiple staff members and supporter representatives. He also pledged to attend all future FAB meetings, promising a culture of openness and regular dialogue. “The broader fanbase will continue to hear from the board and senior staff throughout the year,” he stated, outlining a communication strategy that stands in stark contrast to the club’s previous, often-silent approach.
This shift could mark a fundamental change in how Tottenham Hotspur operates at the highest levels. In recent years, fans have frequently criticized the club’s leadership for its lack of visibility and perceived detachment, especially during key moments such as managerial changes or underwhelming transfer windows. Venkatesham’s willingness to step into the spotlight and serve as a direct line between the boardroom and the terraces represents a conscious effort to change that dynamic.
One of his first major contributions was playing a pivotal role in the appointment of Thomas Frank as Tottenham’s new head coach, following the dismissal of Ange Postecoglou. Drawing on his experience with Arsenal—where he developed strong ties with fan groups—Venkatesham has wasted no time in applying a similar model at Spurs, aiming to foster trust, unity, and a renewed sense of purpose.
As he continues to settle into his new role, all eyes will be on how these plans translate into action. But if early indications are anything to go by, Tottenham may be entering a new era—one where fans are no longer left in the dark, and where the club’s leadership is more accountable, accessible, and aligned with the people who support it week in and week out.