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| A new dawn at Hotspur Way: fresh light, fresh mentality — the winning edge Spurs fans crave. |
📌The Culture Shift Spurs Fans Have Been Waiting For
As a passionate Spurs fan, who, like Glenn Hoddle, has a heart condition, well, two actually, I’ve seen my fair share of ups and downs.Â
We’ve had moments of brilliance, periods of frustration, and a consistent yearning for that elusive winning edge.Â
I repeat, many fans, indeed, most people do not have a winning mentality; they have a normal mentality, a mentality of someone who tries to win.
But a winning mentality is much more than that.
Harry Kane employed his own chef to work on his nutrition, for instance.
I have deliberately taken some time to let the dust settle and think about the bigger corporate vision after the tremendous work Ange Postecoglou did.
So I had to look at the situation in a different way to fans and it drew me to ask this:
Is a seismic shift underway at Tottenham Hotspur?Â
Because it feels like the club is finally embracing a true winning mentality – a culture that goes beyond just wanting to win, but truly believing in it, and acting accordingly,
I have my initial reservations about Thomas Frank, as you know, but I’m interested to hear a few press conferences to see what can be gleaned.
I’m hoping these press conferences are better than his initial PR interview.
This isn’t just about results on the pitch; it’s about a fundamental change in the club’s DNA, from the boardroom to the training ground.Â
I think Ange Postecoglou was the most important head coach we have had since Bill Nicholson, and that he has shown the club the difference between a winning mentality and the common or garden mentality virtually all of the population has.
He has kick started a culture change and we are seeing it being played out.
Since when does Daniel Levy come out and say we want to win the Premier League, we want to win the UEFA Champions League?
He didn’t pre-Ange!
Let’s delve into the recent developments that suggest we’re on the cusp of something special.
The Winds of Change: Departures and Arrivals
The recent news of Scott Munn being placed on gardening leave [1] and the retirement of long-serving executive director Donna Cullen [2] are more than just personnel changes; they signal a clear intent from the club to reshape its leadership structure.Â
Donna Cullen, a significant figure at Spurs for over two decades, including nearly two decades on the board, has been a constant presence.Â
Her departure, alongside Munn’s, suggests a deliberate move to bring in fresh perspectives and align the club’s administrative side with its ambitious on-field goals.
Into this evolving landscape steps Vinai Venkatesham as the new Chief Executive Officer [3].Â
Venkatesham’s arrival is particularly noteworthy given his background at Arsenal, where he held various key roles, including CEO.Â
This appointment, coupled with Daniel Levy’s explicit declaration of aiming to win the Premier League and Champions League [4], paints a vivid picture of a club no longer content with merely competing, but truly striving for the pinnacle of European football.
Ange Postecoglou: The Catalyst for a New Mindset
While the sacking of Ange Postecoglou [5] might seem contradictory to a narrative of positive change, it’s crucial to understand the context.Â
Postecoglou, a self-proclaimed ‘serial winner,’ brought a refreshing honesty and a clear philosophy to the club.Â
He consistently spoke about the importance of a winning mentality, often stating that simply wanting to win isn’t enough, as every team wants to win.Â
A true winning mentality, he argued, is something deeper, something ingrained in the very fabric of the club.
His comments before the UEFA Europa League final, where he revealed that even some club staff expected Spurs to fail [6], were incredibly telling.Â
This highlighted a deep-seated issue within the club – a culture of pessimism and a lack of belief, even among those working behind the scenes.Â
That comes about because of the mass of negativity on social media. The fans on there have a lot to answer for.
They don’t know it, but they are and have been a noose around the club’s neck.
Postecoglou was actively trying to dismantle this ingrained negativity, pushing for a mindset where success is not just hoped for, but expected and worked towards relentlessly.
Vision, Belief, and Positivity: The Pillars of a Winning Mentality
As a long-time observer of the club, I wholeheartedly agree that vision, belief, and positivity are the cornerstones of a genuine winning mentality.Â
It’s not enough to simply have talent; you need a clear vision of where you’re going, an unwavering belief in your ability to get there, and a positive outlook that fuels resilience in the face of adversity.Â
For too long, perhaps, Spurs have lacked this collective conviction.Â
We’ve seen flashes of brilliance, but often, when the pressure mounted, the belief seemed to waver.
Seven finals under Daniel Levy, but only two trophies testify to that.
Postecoglou, despite his short tenure, started to instill this.Â
He challenged the status quo, demanding a higher standard of thought and action.Â
His emphasis on playing a certain way, regardless of the opponent, was a manifestation of this vision and belief.Â
He wanted players and staff to embrace the challenge, to believe in their system, and to approach every game with a positive, attacking mindset.
It wasn’t the skill level that needed changing, it wasn’t the system that needed changing, it was the mentality and that is how he set about it.
Winners don’t shy away from all or nothing, they welcome it.
The safety-first mentality was what was keeping Spurs back.
My fervent hope is that Daniel Levy and the board have had a lightbulb moment and are now looking to improve the league position, but from a winning mentality perspective.
It’s a part of a bigger picture, a bigger mental picture, because if that is the case, then we are in business.
Are Spurs Finally Getting It?
The recent executive changes, coupled with Daniel Levy’s significant, bold declarations, suggest a concerted effort to align the entire club with a winning philosophy.Â
The appointment of Vinai Venkatesham, a proven operator from a rival club, signifies a desire for fresh, results-driven leadership off the pitch.Â
This, combined with the clear statement of intent from Levy regarding Premier League and Champions League aspirations, indicates a departure from past perceived hesitations or a focus solely on financial stability.
While the departure of Ange Postecoglou was a shock to many, it can be viewed through the lens of this evolving mentality.
Perhaps the club felt that to truly reach the next level, an even more radical shift was required, or that a different approach was needed to complement the newfound ambition.Â
It’s a ruthless decision, but winning mentality often demands ruthlessness. It’s about making the tough calls that serve the ultimate goal, even if they are unpopular in the short term.
The key question for us, the fans, is whether these changes will translate into sustained success and a tangible shift in the team’s on-field performance and resilience.Â
A winning mentality isn’t just about hiring the right people or making bold statements; it’s about fostering an environment where every individual, from the players to the tea lady, believes in the collective vision and is empowered to contribute to it.Â
This is the bit fans don’t get. The business has to have a winning mentality, too.
They must buy into the vision and believe, they will perform better if they do.
It’s about building a culture where failure is a learning opportunity, not a confirmation of inherent weakness.
For too long, the narrative around Spurs has been one of ‘Spursy’ moments – moments where we snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, or fail to capitalise on opportunities.Â
This is precisely what a true winning mentality seeks to eradicate, yet our fans try to perpetuate it on social media.Â
It’s about developing the mental fortitude to see out games, to overcome setbacks, and to consistently perform at the highest level.
The Road Ahead
The signs are certainly promising.Â
The clear ambition from the top, the strategic changes in key personnel, and the foundational work laid by individuals like Ange Postecoglou in challenging the old guard, all point towards a club that is serious about shedding its past inhibitions.Â
As fans, our role is to embrace this shift, to maintain our belief, and to support the team with the positivity that a winning mentality demands.
It won’t be easy, and there will undoubtedly be bumps along the road.Â
But I feel a genuine sense of optimism that Tottenham Hotspur is not just talking about winning, but actively building the infrastructure and fostering the mindset required to achieve it.Â
The journey to becoming consistent winners is long, but with vision, belief, and unwavering positivity, I believe we are finally on the right track.
THBN The Final Word
It is my view that Daniel Levy has a great vision for this club, he can see it in his mind’s eye.
Building the infrastructure to be able to support on-field success had to be put in place first.
I think he has a vision for the playing side too.
That area may not be his forte, but he knows what he wants: a conveyor belt of high-quality quality coming out of the Academy to provide the club with players capable of winning the Premier League and Champions League consistently.
Now, the problem with this is, it’s his vision, he can see it clearly.
The problem arises when you bring other people into help build that vision because they probably see a different version of it, achieved in a slightly different way.
Maybe, just maybe, Daniel Levy is no, that’s not what I see, I want it done like this.
I can explain a vision to you and you can tell me you understand it, but you don’t understand it like I do and there is the problem.
The people Daniel Levy has brought in, clearly feel they see his vision, but they haven’t been able to deliver it, therefore, they get changed.
Make no mistake, Spurs are building a youthful side to be supplemented by youth from the Academy and eventually, replaced by youth from the Academy.
Everything is being built towards that vision and should be judged against that vision.
Do you see!
References
[1] [Alasdair Gold] Tottenham Hotspur’s chief football officer Scott Munn … – Reddit. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/coys/comments/1lik2aq/alasdair_gold_tottenham_hotspurs_chief_football/
[2] Long-serving Tottenham executive Donna-Maria Cullen announces … – The Athletic. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6396969/2025/06/02/tottenham-donna-maria-cullen-exit/
[3] Tottenham Hotspur appoints Vinai Venkatesham as Chief Executive … – Tottenham Hotspur. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2025/april/tottenham-hotspur-appoints-vinai-venkatesham-as-chief-executive-officer/
[4] Levy wants Spurs to be Premier League winners – Yahoo Sports. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://sports.yahoo.com/article/levy-wants-spurs-premier-league-205257070.html
[5] Club statement – Ange Postecoglou departs – Tottenham Hotspur. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2025/june/club-statement-ange-postecoglou-departs/
[6] Ange Postecoglou challenges his Tottenham players to BREAK the … – Daily Mail. (n.d.). Retrieved from Daily Mail
[2] Long-serving Tottenham executive Donna-Maria Cullen announces … – The Athletic. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6396969/2025/06/02/tottenham-donna-maria-cullen-exit/
[3] Tottenham Hotspur appoints Vinai Venkatesham as Chief Executive … – Tottenham Hotspur. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2025/april/tottenham-hotspur-appoints-vinai-venkatesham-as-chief-executive-officer/
[4] Levy wants Spurs to be Premier League winners – Yahoo Sports. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://sports.yahoo.com/article/levy-wants-spurs-premier-league-205257070.html
[5] Club statement – Ange Postecoglou departs – Tottenham Hotspur. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2025/june/club-statement-ange-postecoglou-departs/
[6] Ange Postecoglou challenges his Tottenham players to BREAK the … – Daily Mail. (n.d.). Retrieved from Daily Mail
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