Spursex
Alert Team
Summary of minutes...
The organizational structure at Tottenham Hotspur is, at least from the perspective of an outsider looking in, murky, byzantine, and confusing. We have wished for a clear and transparent organizational flowsheet so that we know who the leaders are, what their roles are, and how the leadership structure is organized. None of that is especially forthcoming.
However, after reading the minutes of the latest Fan Advisory Board meeting from Tuesday, June 16, we have at least a little more clarity on some aspects of the organizational leadership, including the reported search for a Director of Football to replace Fabio Paratici, and the role of new Performance Director Rafi Moersen.
First, CEO Vinai Venkatesham noted that while Tottenham had been (and presumably still are) in the process of searching for a top level Director of Football to replace Fabio Paratici, the club is in no rush to do so, and that any additions to the leadership structure in that area will be completed at an appropriate time. It was noted that a summer transfer window is NOT the appropriate time to make that change.
This statement from Venkatesham is a clear indication that the fruit basket will not be upset anytime soon, and that Lange will remain with a key role in this area for the foreseeable future.
That’s going to provoke some interesting opinions from people, I’m sure. But at a certain level it makes sense -- this is a critical time for the club as it attempts to refresh the squad after two consecutive 17th place finishes and a relegation scare this past season. We might as fans disagree with Lange’s job performance over the past several seasons, but this is confirmation that the club still retains confidence in Lange and we shouldn’t expect a change in his position for now.
Elsewhere, the minutes also clarified the role that new Program Director Rafi Moersen will play at Spurs. Moersen’s role is, at least in part, tied to player recruitment and for now he is reporting to Sporting Director Johan Lange.
The focus on the Women’s team is also important, as Moersen is taking temporary leadership over Tottenham Hotspur Women until a permanent hire (Women’s Growth Director) can be found. There was also acknowledgement that the Women’s team has been neglected, but that the club is now committed to its growth and success.
The organizational structure at Tottenham Hotspur is, at least from the perspective of an outsider looking in, murky, byzantine, and confusing. We have wished for a clear and transparent organizational flowsheet so that we know who the leaders are, what their roles are, and how the leadership structure is organized. None of that is especially forthcoming.
However, after reading the minutes of the latest Fan Advisory Board meeting from Tuesday, June 16, we have at least a little more clarity on some aspects of the organizational leadership, including the reported search for a Director of Football to replace Fabio Paratici, and the role of new Performance Director Rafi Moersen.
First, CEO Vinai Venkatesham noted that while Tottenham had been (and presumably still are) in the process of searching for a top level Director of Football to replace Fabio Paratici, the club is in no rush to do so, and that any additions to the leadership structure in that area will be completed at an appropriate time. It was noted that a summer transfer window is NOT the appropriate time to make that change.
- As well as strengthening through senior appointments in football performance and operations, off pitch senior hires have been made in communications, marketing, and restructuring commercial operations
- [Venkatesham] highlighted a revised governance structure, including a clearer separation between Chair and CEO roles and a Board with more non-executive than executive representation. This is intended to provide the right level of checks and balances whilst allowing us to move quickly.
- An Executive team is now responsible for day-to-day running of the Club
- The desired cultural shift is towards empowerment of talented staff across the Club, prioritising football performance and rebuilding connection with supporters, with recognition that cultural change takes time…
- On Sporting Directors – [Venkatesham] said the Club has confidence in our people, but if we find someone who can complement our existing team and make it better, we will do that at the right time (and in a summer window is not that time). No one has been in a process and turned us down. Many names in the media linked with us we have never even spoken to
This statement from Venkatesham is a clear indication that the fruit basket will not be upset anytime soon, and that Lange will remain with a key role in this area for the foreseeable future.
That’s going to provoke some interesting opinions from people, I’m sure. But at a certain level it makes sense -- this is a critical time for the club as it attempts to refresh the squad after two consecutive 17th place finishes and a relegation scare this past season. We might as fans disagree with Lange’s job performance over the past several seasons, but this is confirmation that the club still retains confidence in Lange and we shouldn’t expect a change in his position for now.
Elsewhere, the minutes also clarified the role that new Program Director Rafi Moersen will play at Spurs. Moersen’s role is, at least in part, tied to player recruitment and for now he is reporting to Sporting Director Johan Lange.
So it appears that Moersen, if not driving the bus, has a very important role in recruitment, one that, should we take an optimistic view, could build upon the work Lange has done over the past couple of windows to the club’s benefit.
The focus on the Women’s team is also important, as Moersen is taking temporary leadership over Tottenham Hotspur Women until a permanent hire (Women’s Growth Director) can be found. There was also acknowledgement that the Women’s team has been neglected, but that the club is now committed to its growth and success.
- The Club recognised that the Women’s team has not previously been prioritised sufficiently
- Investment has been made in Martin, the coaching staff and the January transferwindow, with further investment planned (and already visible) in this summer window
- The Club is planning improvements to Women’s team facilities and will continue to keep the FAB updated on any developments
- The Club noted the Women’s team’s best-ever league season but stated thatambitions remain higher
- A Women’s Growth Director will join in the Autumn to spearhead the continued growth of our women’s football audience and off-pitch engagement
- Club to include the FAB in a co-project around growing the women’s game supporter-base, building on the principle of One Club, two teams
- [Moersen] noted that further announcements on the Women’s team leadership structure would follow shortly and reiterated the commitment to continued investment in the team.
- In response to a question from supporter representatives VV confirmed the rebuild on the men’s side would not take focus away from the Women’s team. He explained before the Men’s season finished the budgets for the Women’s transfer window were already signed off and he addressed the Women’s players directly as a group to assure them that the outcome of the Men’s season would not impact the ambition we have for Spurs Women.
