Tottenham confirm surprise appointment of former Arsenal CEO

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the surprise appointment of Vinai Venkatesham as the club’s new chief executive officer (CEO).

Venkatesham has been unattached since ending his 14-year association with Arsenal – Tottenham’s hated north London rivals – last summer. It was reported at the time as the decision of the experienced senior executive to leave the Gunners, who replaced Venkatesham with Richard Garlick.

The former Arsenal director has experience of interacting with Tottenham’s all-powerful chairman Daniel Levy after sitting on the board of UEFA’s club competitions committee and the European Club Association (ECA).

“I’m excited to be joining Tottenham Hotspur this summer,” Venkatesham told Tottenham’s website. “After taking some time to recharge and evaluate my options, I believe this is an exceptional opportunity to work with Daniel, the Board and all of the staff, to take the Club forward.”

Levy added: “The Club has experienced significant growth in recent years, making it crucial to expand our executive management. I have known Vinai for many years, having worked together in the Premier League and the ECA. I am personally delighted that he has agreed to join our Board as we build for success.”

Venkatesham is expected to oversee operational matters on and off the field. This will no doubt have a bearing on the future of Tottenham’s under-pressure manager Ange Postecoglou.

The increasingly frustrated Australian head coach was left cursing the “football gods” after his Spurs side were held to a 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday night.