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The Daniel Levy era at Tottenham Hotspur has come to an end.

On Thursday, it was confirmed that the 63-year-old would step down as Executive Chairman after 25 years in charge, with the ownership believing change was needed to bring greater sporting success.

Appointed in March 2001, Levy was the longest-serving chairman in Premier League history and a divisive figure throughout his tenure.

Regularly the subject of supporter protests, his reputation was split between financial prudence and a failure to translate infrastructure into silverware.

Levy’s final months brought a rare high and an equally stark low. Spurs won the Europa League in May, ending a 17-year wait for a trophy.

Yet the triumph was underpinned by a disastrous league campaign that saw them finish 17th in the Premier League.

He will nevertheless be remembered for delivering the £1bn Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a multi-purpose venue that transformed the club’s commercial revenues.

Hosting NFL games, concerts and boxing events, the stadium has become a global landmark.

On the pitch, however, Levy’s managerial decisions often defined Spurs’ fortunes more than infrastructure ever could.

This summer’s spending spree, with marquee signings like Mohamed Kudus and Xavi Simons, hinted at ambition, though Spurs missed out on Eberechi Eze to rivals Arsenal.

Vinai Venkatesham, appointed Chief Executive in April, now must take the reins and implement a new vision while the search for Levy’s replacement is ongoing.

Ange and the many Managers of Levy’s Spurs

Few chairmen have hired and fired as many notable managers as Levy.

Ange Postecoglou, adored at times by supporters for his bold attacking football, was the latest casualty.

Sacked just weeks after lifting the Europa League, his dismissal came amid dire league form – 22 top-flight losses in 2024/25 – underlining Levy’s reputation for ruthless decision-making.

Thomas Frank has since arrived from Brentford to steady the ship. Postecoglou’s departure was far from Levy’s only high-profile axing.

José Mourinho was dismissed just a week before Spurs faced Manchester City in the 2021 Carabao Cup final, a move that baffled many supporters.

Ryan Mason stepped in as caretaker manager, but Spurs ultimately lost the final.

Antonio Conte’s short but combustible tenure saw him openly question his players’ mentality, though he did guide them to Champions League qualification in 2021/22.

Levy also experimented with Nuno Espírito Santo, a project that fizzled out within months, and was also known to turn to well-known figures like Harry Redknapp and Tim Sherwood in the past.

Yet one name defined Levy’s Spurs more than any other, both in success and in the bitterness of his departure.

Sacking Pochettino was Levy's biggest mistale

Mauricio Pochettino’s time in North London was transformative.

Appointed in May 2014 as Spurs’ tenth manager in just 12 years, he brought stability, style and belief.

Over five years, he nurtured talents like Harry Kane and Dele Alli, built a fearless team around high pressing and rapid transitions, and took Spurs closer to glory than they had been in decades.

The pinnacle came in 2019 when Spurs reached the Champions League final.

Their run included an unforgettable semi-final comeback against Ajax, capped by Lucas Moura’s last-minute hat-trick strike.

Though they fell 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid, it was a defining achievement.

In the league, Pochettino’s side finished second in 2016/17 with 86 points – their best finish since 1963 – only seven points behind champions Chelsea.

And yet, just months after that Champions League final, Levy made his most infamous call. With Spurs struggling at the start of the 2019/20 season, Pochettino was sacked.

Pochettino – Career Statistics

Matches

499

Wins

240

Draws

113

Losses

146

Points

833

Source: Transfermarkt

It was a decision even more brutal than the one that ended Postecoglou’s reign. As journalist Alex Keble described him, Pochettino was a “genius” and a “very rare example of a manager genuinely being too good for a club.”

The Argentine later admitted he was shocked by Levy’s departure this week, reflecting fondly on their “very good” relationship.

After leaving Spurs, he managed PSG and then Chelsea, before taking charge of the US men’s national team.

His tactical philosophy remains consistent: a 4-2-3-1 built on pressing, playing out from the back, and suffocating opponents with relentless energy.

Pochettino gave Spurs an identity that carried them to the edge of greatness. Levy’s decision to sack him months after their greatest modern achievement left scars that arguably linger to this day.

It is unclear where Spurs go from here, but they undoubtedly have the commercial base to become something new altogether.

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Chelsea could have to offload Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson before proceeding with a summer signing, with talks believed to be advanced for another player who has also agreed personal terms.

Enzo Maresca’s side have zero trouble financially, having made millions off their previous transfer sales this window, alongside the Blues’ windfalls from qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Club World Cup.

They’re estimated to have raised nearly £220 million through outgoings alone, with Chelsea’s CWC triumph yielding £87.5 million in prize money and their Champions League riches tipped to be around £80 million just from qualifying.

Having spent nearly £280 million on new signings, including their pre-agreed summer deals, Chelsea have actually registered a net profit over the last few months – so BlueCo are in excellent stead when it comes to the Premier League’s PSR rules.

However, the same cannot be said for UEFA’s separate FFP laws.

Chelsea reached a settlement with UEFA last month after being in breach of these regulations, and as part of the agreement, Maresca’s side must produce a positive transfer balance by September – or they won’t be able to register new players to their A-list Champions League squad.

Simply put, the west Londoners have to agree just as many outgoings as incomings to balance out their books.

Chelsea have already sold Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Mathis Amougou, Djordje Petrovic, João Félix, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Armando Broja and Lesley Ugochukwu, with both Jackson and Nkunku tipped to potentially follow.

Chelsea are ready to sell Jackson amid reports that he’ll cost around £60 million, while the same can be said of Nkunku as Chelsea reduce his asking price to around £40 million.

This £100m fire sale could be key to the club signing Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Chelsea plot Nkunku and Jackson sale before formalising Garnacho deal

Jacobs, writing for GiveMeSport, claims that Chelsea may look to sell Jackson and Nkunku before formalising a deal for Garnacho.

The Argentine has already agreed personal terms with Maresca’s side and talks are at an advanced stage, with the Argentine now simply waiting for United and Chelsea to reach a full agreement.

The Red Devils want a minimum £50 million to sell Garnacho, but both sides expect to shake hands on a deal before the window slams shut in just over a fortnight.

Right now, Chelsea are focused on outgoings, hence why they could bide their time before completing this move, as Maresca plots to get Jackson and Nkunku out the door first.

Amidst all of this, Chelsea are still trying to reach an agreement with RB Leipzig over Xavi Simons, with the Dutchman also agreeing terms and patiently watching on in the hope that both sides can find middle ground.

“He has a lot of personality, he doesn’t give up and he’s always on the ball. He never gives up in one-on-one situations,” said former Barcelona forward Javier Saviola about Garnacho.

“Now he’s adding goals to his game, something he was lacking a bit before, and he’s appearing closer to the box.”

No result – Harshitha Samarawickrama scored an unbeaten 66 and appeared to steady Sri Lanka’s effort in Napier before incessant rain forced a washout in the first ODI after 36.4 overs of action with the visitors at 147 for 5.Asked to bat by Suzie Bates, Sri Lanka slid from 70 for 1 to 94 for 4, but the game had nearly evened up courtesy Samarawickrama’s second fifty-plus score in ODIs. The rain, though, meant no further play, and after a three-hour break, the umpires called off the contest.Chamari Athapaththu was the first batter dismissed, for a 21-ball 9, with seamer Bree Illing striking with the new ball. Samarawickrama and Vishmi Gunaratne, the other opener, then added 45 for the second wicket.Jess Kerr ended the stand when Gunaratne edged one behind to Polly Inglis in the 19th over, following which No. 4 Kavisha Dilhari and No. 5 Manudi Nanayakkara fell to Bates and Illing respectively.A promising partnership of 44 for the fifth wicket ended when Eden Carson ran Nilakshika Silva out for 17. Samarawickrama, with her seven fours, held one end up amid the dismissals and reached her fifty in 83 balls. She had wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani (2*) for company when rain arrived.The teams now move to Nelson for the next two games in the series.

Glasgow Rangers have suffered a big blow in their efforts to sign an experienced England international, according to a fresh update from Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph.

Rangers complete Mikey Moore signing

The Gers know the importance of bringing in top-quality players during the summer transfer window, in order to give themselves the best possible chance of winning back the Scottish Premiership title. And it has now been confirmed that Rangers have completed the signing of Tottenham teenager Mikey Moore, with the Englishman moving to Ibrox on a season-long loan deal.

The 17-year-old winger is clearly excited to enjoy this next chapter in his career, speaking of his delight at joining the Gers upon his arrival.

Rangers manager Russell Martin will want further new faces through the door at Rangers before the window ends, but it now looks like one of their top targets won’t be heading to Ibrox.

Rangers set to miss out as Coady agrees Wrexham deal

According to Joseph on X, Rangers will miss out on the signing of Conor Coady from Leicester City, with the centre-back choosing to move to Wrexham instead this summer.

This is undoubtedly disappointing for Rangers, considering what a proven top-level player Coady is, being hailed by Fabio Silva during their time together at Wolves.

Coady would have brought leadership and quality to Rangers’ back-line, having racked up 377 appearances in the Premier League and Championship combined in his career, as well as a huge amount of character.

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Sadly, it looks as though the lure of Wrexham has proven too good to turn down, with the former England international keen on the idea of joining a club who are very much on the up under their Hollywood owners.

AC Milan and Origi have failed to agree terms for a contract termination with the striker set to stay at San Siro despite not being part of the team.

Origi refuses contract termination offerBelgian cannot leave Italy for tax reasonsHe is in the final year of his contractFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , Milan and Origi couldn’t agree on a settlement fee to terminate his contract in its final year. With Milan paying lower taxes on Origi’s salary under the now-defunct Growth Decree tax rule, he is currently unable to leave Italy for long periods of time.

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Milan signed Origi on a free transfer from Liverpool in 2022. He scored two goals in 36 appearances for Milan in the 2022-23 season. He was loaned to Nottingham Forest last term but returned after failing to impress on his Premier League return. In 2024, he was banished to Milan’s B team and has not played in a competitive game for the club since.

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Two midfielders were also dropped from Milan’s squad this season, with Yacine Adli and Ismael Bennacer finding new clubs. Adli is set to join Al-Shabab, while Bennacer signed with Dinamo Zagreb.

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Milan hopes to reach an amicable deal to end Origi’s contract and cut wage costs. At 31, Origi could still attract interest if he secures his release.

Liverpool have reportedly made an approach to sign a Sadio Mane-like forward who Manchester United are in talks to sign.

Liverpool announce Ekitike deal and eye Isak

The Reds have spent the most out of all 20 Premier League clubs this summer, with FSG splashing more than £250m on six new signings so far.

Incomings

From

Fee

Florian Wirtz

Bayer Leverkusen

£116m

Hugo Ekitike

Frankfurt

£69m

Milos Kerkez

Bournemouth

£40m

Jeremie Frimpong

Bayer Leverkusen

£29.5m

Armin Pecsi

Puskas Akademia

£1.5m

Freddie Woodman

Preston North End

Free

Hugo Ekitike was the latest marquee addition, costing Liverpool £69m from Eintracht Frankfurt. Talking after completing his move to Anfield, the French forward said:

Despite signing Ekitike, Liverpool may not stop there when it comes to striker signings, with Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak a firm target.

The Swede has his heart set on a move to Merseyside, however, the Reds may have to break their transfer record once more if they are to add Isak to Arne Slot’s squad.

With FSG showing no signs of stopping, the Reds are also looking at a move to sign an in-demand teenager ahead of those at Old Trafford.

Liverpool make contact to sign Man Utd target Idrissa Gueye

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are one of a host of sides to have made an enquiry for Metz attacker Idrissa Gueye. The Reds and West Ham have been in recent contact, as have Brighton, Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town, Southampton, and Sunderland.

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Described by FI as ‘one of the hottest properties in Europe’, Gueye is also wanted in Germany and Italy, whereas Liverpool’s rivals, Man Utd, have been in recent intense £17m talks for the 18-year-old striker.

Gueye, already a senior Senegal international, is “rated as highly as Sadio Mane was”, according to reporter Alan Nixon, so Liverpool appear to be wise in making checks on a potential deal for the Metz gem.

A move for Mane from Southampton in 2016 proved to be a brilliant piece of business, with the winger going on to score 120 goals in 269 Liverpool games, winning the Premier League and Champions League.

Now, Gueye could follow in Mane’s Anfield footsteps, making this one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks.

Graeme West, the current Cricket West Indies (CWI) high-performance manager, is set to take over as director of high performance at Cricket Ireland (CI).In his stint with CWI that started in 2012, West worked closely with young talent from across the West Indies, and in 2016 was coach of the West Indies team that lifted the Under-19 World Cup. After working with the U-19 and ‘A’ teams, his current role as high-performance manager included the setting up of academy programmes and building a pool of coaches. He is expected to have a similar profile in Ireland, starting next month.Before joining CWI, West spent five years at the Middlesex academy. There, he worked with Ireland internationals Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie, Andrew Poynter and Stuart Poynter. West has not played any top-flight cricket, but holds a Level 4 ECB coaching qualification.”I am delighted to be joining Cricket Ireland as the organisation continues to grow and strengthen,” West said in a statement. “The Strategic Plan for 2024-27 is incredibly exciting and I look forward to applying my experience and philosophy to the wealth of talent and expertise that has been assembled as we further establish Ireland as a major cricketing nation.”Warren Deutrom, the chief executive at CI, said the appointment was a step towards Ireland becoming a “fit-for-purpose Full Member”.”When we set out to create and recruit for the role, the profile, initiative and experience that Graeme possesses is exactly what we were looking for,” Deutrom said. “We knew that in order to be successful in this new role, the candidate required leadership experience, exceptional people skills and the ability to be a mentor as much as a manager. In Graeme, we believe we have found that candidate.”As an organisation, we are going through a process of reviewing and evolving our operations to ensure we are fit-for-purpose as a Full Member in a rapidly changing environment. One of the strategic decisions we made was to acknowledge the scale and scope of our work has outgrown our pre-Full Member structures.”The senior men’s team have a busy few weeks ahead, with a white-ball tour of the UAE to play South Africa later this month. The senior women’s team is set to host England for three ODIs and two ODIs starting Saturday.

Southern Vipers strengthened their position at the top of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy table after defeating in-form Blaze by four wickets at Chesterfield.In a repeat of last season’s final, Blaze were hunting their 14th win in 15 games in all competitions, but again found Vipers too strong, as they did in both finals last year.In the glorious, sylvan setting of Queen’s Park, Blaze were bowled out for 278 in 47.2 overs. Heather Graham, who took 6 for 39 against South East Stars last Sunday, this time starred with the bat with 78, supported by Kathryn Bryce 65 and Sarah Bryce 48. Mary Taylor took 3 for 32 and, having finished the innings with wickets with successive balls.Vipers’ reply reached 281 for 6 with four balls to spare thanks mainly to a stand of 136 between Georgia Elwiss (101 not out, 110) and 18-year-old Abi Norgrove (a career-best 64 off 75). They came together with the innings at a crossroads at 124 for 4 in the 22nd over and paced the pursuit perfectly.After choosing to bat, The Blaze lost Teresa Graves in the sixth over, run out by slick fielding in the covers from Charli Knott but Sarah and Kathryn Bryce added 71 in 12 overs. Sarah Bryce was superbly caught by a diving Taylor at the point off of Ava Lee, but her sister was joined in another productive partnership by Marie Kelly. The fourth-wicket pair added 66 in 12 overs before falling in the space of nine balls, Kathryn Bryce chipping Lee to mid-wicket and Marie Kelly (33) perishing bowled off-stump through the gate by Taylor.Knott struck with successive balls when Ella Claridge was caught down the leg-side by wicketkeeper Rhianna Southby and Kirstie Gordon fell lbw but Graham rebooted the innings. She took successive fours off Freya Davies and found the gaps cleverly, particularly on the off side, on the way to a 40-ball half-century.In reply, Vipers soon lost Knott, trapped lbw by a big inswinger from Grace Ballinger, but skipper Adams laid a solid base for the chase with a two half-century stands – 55 in 11 overs with Ella McCaughan and 52 in eight with Elwiss.Blaze hit back with two wickets in four balls when Adams (47) was run out by a direct hit from the boundary by Lucy Higham and Emily Windsor cut Cassidy McCarthy hard to point.At 124 for 4, Vipers were vulnerable but Elwiss and Norgrove worked the ball around skilfully on the way to a century partnership in 124 balls. Elwiss reached her 50 from 60 balls and Norgrove followed to hers in 53.Kathryn Bryce bowled Blaze back into the game with two wickets in four balls when Norgrove chipped to mid-wicket and Alice Monaghan missed a heave and was bowled. Seventeen were needed from the last two overs but 12 came from the first of them to ease the pressure and Elwiss sealed the victory with six over mid-wicket that took her to three figures.

Aston Villa are now willing to meet the price tag to sign an “explosive” new attacking talent this summer, according to a new report.

Several ins and outs expected at Villa with PSR deadline looming

The Villans have until the end of this month to balance their books with PSR’s hammer looming, so before any incomings can happen, there needs to be some movement in the exit department. That may not be far away now, as it appears there are already two players on their way out of Villa Park, as Emiliano Martínez and Lucas Digne look to seal permanent moves away.

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Martinez has attracted strong interest from Manchester United in the last week or so, as the Argentine is said to favour a move to Old Trafford over joining FC Barcelona, who are also interested in a transfer.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Digne is in talks with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid over a move to Spain, as they look to bolster their options in that area of the team. The Frenchman is in the final 12 months of his contract at Villa, and it now seems he is free to leave the Premier League side, after being in and out of the team last season.

These potential exits could allow Villa to enter the market and bring in players who they believe can improve Unai Emery’s options. According to ex-Villa chief scout Mick Brown, Aston Villa could look to make a move for Manchester United’s Mason Mount, with Emery a fan of the midfielder.

Aston Villa willing to pay £27m+ transfer demand for Paixao

The Villans don’t just have their eyes on Mount as a new attacking option; according to Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad, relayed by Sport Witness, Aston Villa are now keen on signing Igor Paixão from Feyenoord.

Feyenoord have already received record sales from the departures of Santiago Giménez and Mats Wieffer in recent times, but the Dutch side are now open to selling Paixao, as long as they receive a larger transfer fee. The report states that Feyenoord are looking to get more than €32 million for the winger, which is roughly £27 million.

This fee has done nothing to put Villa off, as the report adds that the Premier League side are willing to pay this transfer fee, although as things stand a transfer is still a “long way off at the moment”.

The 24-year-old, who can operate on both flanks, has emerged on Villa’s radar after scoring 16 goals in 34 Eredivisie games last season, and a further two in the Champions League.

Apps

129

Goals

39

Assists

29

Paixao, who has been dubbed “explosive” by scout Jacek Kulig, recently spoke in an interview with Globo Esporte and revealed he “dreams of playing for a big club”.

Paixao said, as quoted by Sport Witness: “Showing my football, being recognised by the big clubs, is gratifying. I dream of getting to a big team; it is the fruit of my work. If it is meant to happen, it will happen.”

Looking ahead to their first attempt to get back into the Premier League next season, Southampton are now reportedly in advanced talks to hire an impressive 32-year-old manager.

Southampton's search for a new manager

The Southampton job isn’t exactly one that every manager will be jumping towards this summer after the Saints suffered relegation from the Premier League. Having opened their season with Russell Martin in the dugout, the Saints were ready to take on the Premier League their way and opt out of simply sitting in a deep defensive block.

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As attractive as that approach looked, however, it did not result in much-needed points and those at St Mary’s soon switched their mindsets towards survival, sacking Martin in the process.

Their next decision was always going to be crucial, even if some were already convinced that relegation was looming. Following Martin’s tenure, it wouldn’t have been absurd to suggest that a pragmatic, experienced Premier League manager should have been the way forward, but Southampton took an alternative approach once again – this time hiring Ivan Juric in December.

Having enjoyed experience at AS Roma, Torino, Genoa and others in Italy, Juric stepped into the Premier League for the first time before enduring a nightmare spell. With one game remaining, the manager has already been sacked and Southampton have their place in history as the second-worst Premier League side in history, with one more point than the historic 2008 Derby County team.

Back at square one ahead of their return to the Championship, names such as Danny Rohl and even Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard have reportedly been among the candidates in the running for the job, but Southampton’s search has continued.

Whilst it could be neither of those young managers, the Saints have since reportedly turned towards an impressive 32-year-old who now looks the likeliest to commence a new era at St Mary’s.

Southampton in advanced talks to hire Will Still

According to The Independent’s Miguel Delaney, Southampton have now approached Will Still and are in advanced talks to hire the 32-year-old manager, who just left Ligue 1 side RC Lens to be closer to his family.

The manager told reporters after his side defeated AS Monaco on the final day of the Ligue 1 season: “I will not be the coach of Lens next season. Today was my last match of the season at Bollaert. For multiple reasons, the main reason behind my decision is that I need to go back home. It is a logical choice for me to be closer to my wife, for her well-being.”

Back in England, Southampton are now reportedly confident that they will secure Still ahead of next season. The interest of the Saints should come as little surprise, either, given just how successful Still, who plays an attacking 4-3-3 system, has been in France at both Reims and Lens.

For Southampton, should they be successful in their pursuit of Still, they’ll be hiring another young coach to follow on from Martin’s previous spell in charge.