The Athletic FC Podcast

Episode: Levy Leaves Spurs & Early Premier League Conclusions
Date: September 5, 2025
Host: Matt Davis Adams
Guests/Contributors: Jack Pitt, Jay Harris, Oliver Kaye, Jacob Tanswell

Episode Overview

This episode delivers immediate reaction and analysis following Daniel Levy’s stunning departure as Executive Chairman of Tottenham Hotspur after nearly 25 years at the club. The panel explores how and why Levy was removed, his legacy, and what comes next for Spurs. The hosts then pivot to early Premier League takeaways—looking at Liverpool’s strong start, early struggles for City and Villa, and what the season’s opening weeks reveal about key clubs and players.

Daniel Levy’s Tottenham Departure (01:05–11:58)

How and Why Levy Was Removed

• Jack Pitt: The Lewis family, Spurs' majority shareholders, initiated a club review due to “underperforming results on the pitch.” An American firm was brought in at the start of the year to lead this review, resulting in major changes culminating in Levy’s departure.

  "I don't think he decided on Thursday morning he wanted to do something else. I think he was told this by the Lewis family and their representatives." (02:16)

• Restructuring Details:

  • New CEO (Vinay Venkatesham) appointed earlier this summer.
  • Donna Cullen, a key Levy ally, also departed.
  • Only a select few knew of Levy’s imminent removal prior to announcement.

Immediate Succession

• Jay Harris: Peter Charrington steps in as Non-Executive Chairman—a role newly created. Charrington, closely connected to the Lewis family, joined the board just in March, marking a rapid rise.

  "Charrington is former CEO of Citi Private Bank. He's well embedded within the Lewis family... It's quite a substantial summer of change." (03:50)

Legacy: On and Off the Pitch

• Oliver Kaye: Levy’s legacy is complex. Criticized for lack of trophies but lauded for financial and infrastructural growth (training ground, new stadium). Spurs transformed from mid-table to consistent 'Big Six' status, despite lacking billionaire benefactors.

  "If Tottenham hadn't been run well over the last 25 years, there is no way anybody would be talking about them as part of a big six... they have become a top six team." (04:36)

• Jack Pitt: Emphasizes the challenge of keeping Spurs competitive amidst the arrival of billionaire owners across Premier League rivals.

  "Tottenham have not had the kind of billionaire benefactor spending that other teams have had... So they've had to try and grow as a club, spending within their means." (07:23)

Fan Reactions & The Future

• Will he be viewed more favorably?
  • Jack Pitt believes respect for Levy will grow over time, especially given the stadium and training ground.
  • Jay Harris expects mostly "business as usual" this season, stressing stability under new leadership (Venkatesham & Charrington).
  • The wider Spurs staff and supporters face an “incredibly strange period” adjusting to new leadership after Levy’s controlling, hands-on style.

    "He ran it with real control and it was run by a very close circle of people right around him. It's very difficult... for lots of people to get their head around the fact that the man who ran this ship... is not there anymore." (10:08)

Early Premier League Conclusions (14:03–43:10)

Liverpool: Early Pace-Setters

• Liverpool only perfect side after three games.
• Arsenal, though heavily invested, are still finding their best setup, especially with new attacking signings.

Arsenal’s Early Issues (14:46–18:31)

• Oliver Kaye: New signings like Jocores, Zubimendi, and Madueke are bedding in well, but the team still plays similarly to last season. Criticism of Arteta’s "safety-first" approach is partly justified, especially in matches away at Liverpool or City, but that’s a tough ask for any side.

  "Generally speaking, it's very, very hard to win those games as the away team and Arsenal's record... is not that unusual." (16:06)

• Jay Harris: Arsenal’s summer additions bring versatility, especially in attack. The next three fixtures—Forest, Man City, Newcastle—will be key.

  "I think the main criticism... is that having subdued Liverpool for so long, [Arteta] probably should have brought on Eze and Odegaard maybe 10 minutes before he did." (18:31)

Chelsea: Stability or Luck? (22:13–25:34)

• Jay Harris: A bit fortunate with officiating vs. Fulham. Constant squad churn hinders stability, making it difficult for manager Maresca to find a settled XI.

  "Just the amount of churn and change that happens in that squad every year is just absolutely relentless." (22:53)

• Oliver Kaye: Club World Cup participation disrupted pre-season—so far Chelsea have coped, but real tests and fixture congestion loom as Champions League starts.

  "Their fixtures have given them a bit of an opportunity without really being tested by one of the top sides yet." (24:28)

Manchester City: Unstable After Strong Start (25:34–30:11)

• Jay Harris: Defensive instability and struggles with new keepers (Trafford, now Donnarumma). Key attacking injuries (Cherky) and underperformance from wing options hurting end product.

  "Always takes a little bit of time when you're tweaking things, I think especially in the defense... I don't really know who their first choice right back is." (26:04)

• Oliver Kaye: Pep Guardiola’s strategic changes—especially in goal with the signing of Donnarumma—are puzzling given his previous emphasis on playing out from the back. He notes the staff and squad overhaul is uncharacteristically large.

  "But that turnover... is just enormous. And I think at their best... it was generally a case of tweaking two or three players each year... Now, we don't really know what you're going to get from City one week to the next." (27:53)

Betfair Odds: Title, Relegation, and Golden Boot (30:11–34:48)

• Liverpool favored for the title after three wins (6/5 odds on Betfair).
• Man City’s odds lengthen after slow start.
  • "Some sides have lost their fear of going toe to toe with Pep’s side" – Alex Boyes (30:31)
• Villa and Newcastle—early strugglers, odds drift dramatically for title chances.
• Sunderland’s great start—now less of a relegation favorite.
• Golden Boot Watch:
  • Haaland is still favorite.
  • Alexander Isak’s price shortens after his move.
  • Victor Gokerez—Arsenal’s Swedish striker—also drawing notable bets.

Teams Surprising (and Struggling) So Far (34:48–40:53)

Overperformers

• Sunderland: New signings and continuity with manager are key to their surprise start.
• Bournemouth & Palace: Both lost key players, but retained their managers—ensuring cohesive systems.

  "Sometimes... they lose loads of players in one window... but they always sign young players... and even if they’re not getting a lot of minutes, they’re slowly getting experience." – Jay Harris (36:57)

Aston Villa: Worrying Trends

• Jacob Tanswell: Lack attacking spark; teams have figured out Emery’s preferred buildup; deadline day signings (Sancho, Elliott, Lindelof) reek of panic.

  "Teams are starting to figure out how... their slow coaxing football and wanting to drag teams out... isn't quite working anymore." (37:37)

• Oliver Kaye: PSR financial constraints stalling squad development; signs of negativity around Emery; signings seen as more panic than planned.

  "It doesn't really feel like that's going to freshen things up, but perhaps Harvey Elliott will." (40:53)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the difficulty of replacing Levy:

  "I'd be shocked if there's anyone at Tottenham who's been there longer than Daniel Levy... for so many Tottenham employees, all they will have known is Levy." – Jack Pitt (10:08)

• On Arsenal’s struggles at the big stadiums:

  "Man City have only won once at Liverpool in 22 years, which was... behind closed doors. Generally speaking, it's very, very hard to win those games." – Oliver Kaye (16:06)

• On Pep’s style shifts at City:

  "I've got my head around the idea that he wants to do different now with Erling Haaland, but to go in a different direction with the goalkeepers... I think that's a really big change." – Oliver Kaye (27:53)

• On Chelsea squad churn:

  "The amount of churn and change that happens in that squad every year is just absolutely relentless." – Jay Harris (22:53)

Fun and Interactive: Predictions Game (41:04–43:10)

• Oliver Kaye introduces new feature: Predicting Premier League scores each week against an algorithm, a 6-year-old, and subscribers.

  “My supposed expertise being undermined on a weekly basis is slightly alarming, but it’s been a lot of fun.” (41:04)

• Currently, subscribers lead. Algorithm always predicts 1-1, often outperforms the humans.

Key Segment Timestamps

• Spurs/Levy Departure: 01:05–11:58
• Premier League Roundup (Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, City): 14:03–30:11
• Betfair Title & Relegation Markets: 30:11–34:48
• Surprise Teams (Sunderland, Palace, Bournemouth, Villa): 34:48–40:53
• Predictions Contest: 41:04–43:10

Final Notes

• Spurs face a period of major transition but plan for business as usual on the pitch, for now.
• Liverpool and Arsenal set the early pace, but serious questions remain about City’s direction, Chelsea’s stability, and Villa’s potential stagnation.
• Fun prediction feature for listeners to engage with alongside the panel.

For more details or Spurs-specific coverage, listeners are pointed to The Athletic’s “View from the Lane” podcast. Chelsea fans are encouraged to check out “Straight Outta Cobham.”