Vinai Venkatesham, Tottenham Hotspur’s chief executive, has told the club’s Fan Advisory Board that rebuilding trust with supporters is one of his main priorities. Minutes from the latest FAB meeting, published this week, confirm he addressed the strain directly. He also set out plans to repair the relationship with fans.
The admission comes a year after Daniel Levy left his role as chairman. Members of the Lewis family, who own parent company ENIC, have taken a more prominent role at the club since his departure.
Official Details and Fan Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
The minutes record that Venkatesham acknowledged the strain directly:
“Vinai Venkatesham acknowledged that the relationship between the club and its supporters had been strained for some time, and reaffirmed the club’s commitment to strengthening that connection and rebuilding belief.”
The comments appear in the Fan Advisory Board meeting minutes. They mark one of the clearest admissions yet of fan frustration under the club’s recent ownership changes.
The board also heard about recent recognition initiatives:
“The Hall of Fame, an initiative proposed by the FAB, had been celebrated at an event the previous evening recognising Bobby Buckle, Chris Hughton, Ledley King and Jenna Schillaci, and the Women’s Legacy Numbers had recently been launched.”
Former players have been welcomed back to Hotspur Way too:
“A number of former players had returned to the training ground to meet the current squad, with Dimitar Berbatov and Edgar Davids attending recently, and the Legends Lunch initiative was helping to bring people together.”
Squad Impact, Women’s Super League Success, and Tactical Context
On the pitch, the club’s two senior sides are heading in opposite directions. Roberto De Zerbi’s men’s team sit bottom of the Premier League after five matches, a run that includes the defeat against Aston Villa. Supporters are already debating Roberto De Zerbi’s future at the club, though the FAB minutes make no mention of the manager’s position.
Martin Ho’s Tottenham Hotspur Women sit second in the Women’s Super League after four matches. The minutes credit summer recruitment for the strong start:
“The club had invested significantly in the women’s team during the transfer window, with all signings completed before the start of pre-season in a well-executed window.”
They describe the squad this way:
“The squad combined established WSL and international experience with younger players of high potential, providing greater strength in depth and competition for places.”
Upcoming Leadership Changes and Whitewebbs Timeline
Venkatesham also detailed the club’s broader approach to the women’s team:
“There had been greater prioritisation and investment both on and off the pitch, and the team had made a strong start to the season. The immediate focus was on improving existing facilities to keep pace with the team’s growth. The long-term ambition for the women’s team’s base at Whitewebbs is unchanged and remains subject to an ongoing legal process.”
On facilities and leadership, the minutes add:
“In the meantime, the club is investing in the team’s current facilities, including changing space, gym and a briefing room, because the current building has been outgrown. Current improvements are a temporary requirement, not an alternative to Whitewebbs. A new Director of Women’s Football was being appointed to succeed Andy Rogers, in a role weighted more towards performance and technical than operational.”
Vinai Venkatesham, Tottenham Hotspur’s chief executive, is also overseeing change on the men’s side. The club have made moves for a sporting director since the summer. No timeline for either appointment was given in the minutes.
