The board of Tottenham Hotspur has revealed that the owner has declared that the team is “not for sale” after rejecting two expressions of interest in the club.
The announcement came late on Sunday, after the sudden departure of longtime chairman Daniel Levy fuelled speculation that a takeover bid could be incoming.
Levy was the Premier League’s longest serving chairman, leading Spurs for almost a quarter of a century, during which time he is estimated to have earned more than £50million.
But fans were not fond of the 63-year-old, who was the subject of fan protests last season amid a difficult campaign under Ange Postecoglou.
It was announced earlier this week Daniel Levy would be stepping down
|PA
In a statement, it was revealed: “The Board of Tottenham Hotspur Limited is aware of recent media speculation and confirms that its majority shareholder, ENIC Sports & Developments Holdings Ltd (“ENIC”), has received, and unequivocally rejected, separate preliminary expressions of interest in relation to proposals to acquire the entire issued.”
One was from former Newcastle United shareholder Amanada Staveley’s PCP International Finance Limited and another from a consortium helmed by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited, the statement revealed.
It went on to confirm: “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.”
ENIC owns around 87 per cent of Tottenham Hotspur.
UK businessman Joe Lewis and his family own the majority of ENIC, who previously said Levy's departure was down to their desire to see the team win more on the field.
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Tottenham won a trophy for the first time in 17 years last season
| ReutersLevy, speaking after his departure, said: “I am incredibly proud of the work I have done together with the executive team and all our employees. We have built this club into a global heavyweight competing at the highest level.
“More than that, we have built a community. I was lucky enough to work with some of the greatest people in this sport, from the team at Lilywhite House and Hotspur Way to all the players and managers over the years.
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“I wish to thank all the fans that have supported me over the years. It hasn’t always been an easy journey but significant progress has been made. I will continue to support this club passionately.”
The club went on to reiterate: “There are no changes to the ownership or shareholder structure of the Club.”
Daniel Levy had ruled the roost at Tottenham ever since 2001 | GETTYDespite this period of change for Tottenham, they will be looking to bounce back on the pitch.
After their loss to Bournemouth, Spurs will be looking for a return to form against West Ham on Saturday.