Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham and ENIC Dismiss Takeover Approaches After Levy Leaves
Tottenham and ENIC reject approaches after Daniel Levy’s departure, saying the club is not for sale.
Tottenham Hotspur have publicly rejected suggestions the club could be up for sale following the departure of chairman Daniel Levy. Levy’s exit prompted speculation over the club’s long-term ownership and several media reports of potential takeover interest.
Reports identified approaches from a group led by Amanda Staveley and from a Chinese consortium fronted by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng. Coverage also said ENIC, the majority owner, had been contacted about selling its 87% stake in the club. The Telegraph report the proposals were made after Levy’s exit was formalised.
The club and its majority shareholder responded with a firm denial of any intention to consider offers. The official statement was published in full and reads:
“The Board of Tottenham Hotspur Limited is aware of recent media speculation and confirms that its majority shareholder, ENIC Sports & Developments Holdings Ltd, has received, and unequivocally rejected, separate preliminary expressions of interest in relation to proposals to acquire the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of ENIC from (i) PCP International Finance Limited; and (ii) a consortium of investors led by Dr. Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited,” a statement read.
“As a consequence of ENIC’s majority ownership interest in Tottenham Hotspur, were any offer made to acquire ENIC and complete, a mandatory offer would be required under Rule 9 of the Code to acquire the shares of Tottenham Hotspur not already held by ENIC.
“The Board of the Club and ENIC confirm that Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale and ENIC has no intention to accept any such offer to acquire its interest in the Club.”
Having now been named as interested parties, Staveley’s group are expected to release a statement confirming they will not place a formal bid. The club’s response leaves ENIC as the confirmed long-term majority owner and closes the door on reported approaches that followed Levy’s departure.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham board decide to back Thomas Frank after internal review
Tottenham’s board have chosen to back Thomas Frank amid a run of poor results and wider scrutiny….
Tottenham Hotspur will keep Thomas Frank in charge for now despite a run of results that has put the manager under sustained scrutiny. The report says Frank’s team have taken just eight points from their subsequent nine league games, a return only bettered by three teams in the division over the same period, and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle United.
Any momentum built from back-to-back victories over Brentford and Slavia Prague was wiped out by Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. The club also have fewer Premier League points this term compared with the same stage last season, when they went on to finish 17th.
Frequent discussions about Frank’s future have taken place among Tottenham’s new-look hierarchy, according to The Athletic, but the powerbrokers have opted to give the Danish coach more time. Frank was appointed by former executive chairman Daniel Levy last summer shortly before the long-serving club figure was dismissed in September. Peter Charrington was later appointed as the non-executive chairman while the majority shareholding Lewis family have a pronounced role. Vivienne Lewis, her brother Charles Lewis and son-in-law Nick Beucher are prominent figures at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The decision to stick with Frank, who is contracted to the club until 2028, will not have been a surprise to the manager. After the City Ground loss, the 52-year-old was asked if he expected to be given more time. “I can’t see why not,” he replied. He added: “I think it’s pretty evident that if no one gets the time, no one can turn this around. This is not a quick fix.” Reflecting his frustration after the defeat, Frank said: “I think I do everything to control my emotions, which is a hurricane inside me, because, of course, it’s deeply frustrating that we are not doing better today after three good performances,” Frank seethed over the weekend.
The club remain at a crossroads. Spurs may have won their first trophy in 17 years under Postecoglou but also recorded the club’s worst league finish since 1975.
International
Pochettino Reaffirms Premier League Ambition While Leading USMNT
Pochettino says he wants to return to the Premier League and still aims to win both titles. going on
Mauricio Pochettino has made plain that a return to England’s top flight remains central to his long-term goals even as he prepares the U.S. men’s national team for World Cup duty. In an interview with BBC Sport released the day after the World Cup draw he said plainly: “The Premier League is the best in the world.”
Pochettino outlined a clear appetite to return to the competition he described as “the most competitive league.” “Of course I miss it. I am so happy in the USA, but I am always thinking about returning one day. It is the most competitive league, and of course I would love to come back again.”
On the field with the USMNT, Pochettino’s side were listed as co-hosts and placed in a group described in the draft as relatively kind. He has already overseen victories against their two confirmed opponents, Australia and Paraguay, and the team will next face the playoff winner from UEFA’s pathway C, which could be any of Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo.
The draft also summarises Pochettino’s recent club record. It lists Southampton finishes of 14th in 2012–13 and 8th in 2013–14. His Tottenham seasons are given as 2014–15 5th, 2015–16 3rd, 2016–17 2nd, 2017–18 3rd, 2018–19 4th and 2019–20 14th. The 2023–24 season at Chelsea is listed as 6th.
Pochettino remains explicit about unfinished business from his time in England. The draft recalls his tenure at Tottenham, noting he “never finished lower than fifth with Spurs and took the north London outfit to second place in 2016–17.” Tottenham also reached the 2019 Champions League final under his watch, losing 2–0 to Liverpool. When asked for one remaining ambition he replied without hesitation: “To win the Premier League and the Champions League.” He added: “We were so close in Tottenham,” and “I want to achieve this. I am still young, I have the energy, experience and motivation to try in the future.”
Arsenal
Shortlists for November Premier League Player and Manager of the Month
Nominees for November’s Premier League Player and Manager awards, highlighting key performances. Stars
The Premier League shortlists for November have been published, highlighting individual runs that shaped the month.
Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes closed November with three goals, two of which arrived in the win over Manchester City. Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivered a memorable strike against Manchester United, also scoring against Newcastle and providing an assist against Fulham. Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku produced one of the season’s most eye-catching individual displays as he demolished Liverpool and helped Pep Guardiola’s side remain competitive in the title race.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes finished November with four assists, creating goals against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace. Morgan Gibbs-White enjoyed a three-game scoring streak for Nottingham Forest, firing home against Man Utd, Leeds United and in the away victory at Liverpool.
Chelsea defender Reece James featured in all four of the Blues’ Premier League matches in November. His assist in the 1–1 draw with Arsenal capped off a truly stunning individual showing in a month which yielded a total of three clean sheets. Arsenal’s Declan Rice added attacking impetus with a goal against Burnley and an assist in the north London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Brentford striker Igor Thiago continued his hot form, adding five goals across November with strikes against Newcastle, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley among them.
Managers with strong cases included Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s unbeaten month, which produced wins over Burnley and Tottenham as well as draws with Sunderland and Chelsea. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa won three of four and emerged as outside contenders in the title race. Pep Guardiola’s Man City scored a league-high 10 goals in November, including the victory over Liverpool. Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton & Hove Albion conceded once in four games, producing wins over Leeds, Brentford and Nottingham Forest. Chelsea went unbeaten under Enzo Maresca with three wins and a draw. Marco Silva’s Fulham recorded three wins over Wolves, Sunderland and Tottenham.
Recent monthly winners: Jack Grealish (Everton, August), Erling Haaland (Man City, September), Bryan Mbeumo (Man Utd, October). Recent manager winners: Arne Slot (Liverpool, August), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace, September), Ruben Amorim (Man Utd, October).
