Tottenham Hotspur CEO Vinai Venkatesham has responded to rising frustration among supporters by releasing a lengthy open letter in the club’s matchday programme ahead of the Premier League derby with West Ham United.
Spurs go into the London showdown sitting 14th in the table, with another disappointing season unfolding. Under Thomas Frank, the club has already exited both domestic cup competitions, while ongoing long-term injuries to key players have disrupted any rhythm. Form has been particularly concerning, with only two wins from the last 13 matches, further fuelling anger within the fanbase.
That frustration has increasingly been voiced inside the stadium. Frank and his squad have been booed at full-time on several occasions, and chants such as “Boring, boring Tottenham Hotspur” and “Sideways and backwards, everywhere we go” have rung around the ground, underlining dissatisfaction with both performances and progress under the Danish head coach.
Although the £34.7 million arrival of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid offered a brief lift in mood, tensions remain high. A protest organised by supporter group Change for Tottenham is still planned ahead of Saturday’s fixture, aimed at expressing discontent over yet another underwhelming campaign despite numerous off-field changes.
Against this backdrop, images of Venkatesham’s letter have circulated among fan groups. The message follows recent discussions between the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust and club officials, where calls were made for clearer communication and greater transparency. The CEO’s statement appears to directly address those concerns, setting out explanations, assurances and a proposed vision for the future.
In his letter, Venkatesham admitted the club’s current difficulties and sought to reassure supporters that firm action is being taken. He reiterated that the shared goal of the board, executive team and Lewis Family ownership is to see Spurs regularly competing in the Champions League, challenging for major honours, and significantly improving the competitiveness of the women’s team.
He acknowledged that words alone no longer carry weight, conceding that fans are tired of promises without visible progress. Venkatesham revealed that a wide-ranging internal review has been ongoing, describing the present moment as a rare chance for a “true reset” at a club of Tottenham’s scale. He stressed that Spurs are determined to use this opportunity to modernise and reduce the gap to Europe’s elite.
The CEO accepted that while football has advanced quickly, Tottenham have not always evolved fast enough in key areas, and he recognised the growing impatience among supporters. He admitted that results and performances from the men’s first team this season have fallen well short of expectations.
Player recruitment and trading formed a central part of the letter. Venkatesham said the club still believes in the current squad but accepts that additional quality, experience and leadership are needed to compete consistently at the top level. He highlighted the importance of a more forward-thinking recruitment approach, alongside a wage structure that supports ambition while remaining financially responsible.
Spurs, he explained, will look to strengthen where possible during the January transfer window, while acknowledging that most business is typically done in the summer. Any new signings, he insisted, must clearly improve the team, with the club avoiding short-term or reactive decisions.
Equally, Venkatesham stressed the need to be decisive when it comes to selling players who no longer align with long-term plans. He emphasised maximising player value and carefully managing Financial Fair Play requirements, pushing back against claims that Spurs are unaffected by such restrictions.
This renewed approach is reflected in the appointment of Rafi Moersen from City Football Group as Director of Football Operations. Reporting to Sporting Director Johan Lange, Moersen will be tasked with shaping recruitment strategy and overseeing player transactions when he joins later this year.
The academy was also described as a cornerstone of Tottenham’s future. Venkatesham said a strong youth system not only produces first-team players without transfer fees, but also enables greater investment elsewhere while developing footballers who understand the club’s identity. While progress has been made, he admitted Spurs must deliver more first-team minutes and better transfer returns from academy graduates, with further investment committed to strengthening the pathway.
On performance and player welfare, the CEO explained that success depends on more than coaching alone. While Thomas Frank’s staff has been bolstered by the addition of John Heitinga, Venkatesham underlined the importance of elite performance services such as medical care, sports science, nutrition and psychology. Several changes are already underway, including the appointment of Dan Lewindon as Performance Director, who will arrive next month from City Football Group.
Perhaps most significantly, Venkatesham addressed the strained relationship between the club and its supporters. He openly recognised the growing disconnect and pledged to rebuild trust and unity. He pointed to steps such as the Son Heung-min mural, ticketing adjustments and a trial singing section as early measures, while promising continued work with the Fan Advisory Board.
Improving access for younger fans was highlighted as a key objective, with a review of concession pricing for junior supporters and young adults planned ahead of next season. Venkatesham said the club wants Tottenham to feel open, inclusive and closely tied to its communities.
To strengthen communication and engagement, he confirmed the appointments of Kate Miller as Chief Communications Officer and Adam Gardiner as Chief Marketing Officer, alongside Moersen, as part of a revamped executive structure aimed at creating a more modern and collaborative club.
Venkatesham concluded by reaffirming that Tottenham’s ambitions go beyond the men’s first team. He restated the club’s commitment to Spurs Women, referencing significant January investment and early signs of progress this season, while stressing the importance of growing support for the women’s side.
Closing the letter, the CEO thanked fans for their unwavering loyalty and passion, acknowledging how deeply Tottenham means to them. He insisted the club cannot exist without its supporters and promised that everyone at Spurs is committed to building a future worthy of their dedication.
