It had long been assumed that Daniel Levy's authority at Tottenham as club chairman was so overarching that he would always determine the timing of his own departure. Yet Thursday's dramatic and sudden confirmation he was stepping down quickly shattered that illusion.

Levy, 63, was appointed to the post in March 2001, going on to establish himself as one of the most respected administrators in football. Today, Spurs boast one of the finest stadiums in the world and a state-of-the-art training ground so luxurious former head coach Jose Mourinho once waxed lyrical about the "huge pillows" in the on-site bedrooms, comparable in his mind to a 6-star hotel.

That is Levy. His attention to detail was unrivalled, reflected in the stunning Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with its retractable pitch and

See Full Page