levy

It is unlikely that Venkatesham will rule Spurs with an iron fist. He is a firm believer in a culture of inclusivity.

He’ll lead by example rather than being ultra vocal, sources say.

“He’s a leader – but an understated one,” said one of his colleagues at the Emirates.

When it comes to making football-related decisions it is very likely he will be guided by the expertise of head coach Thomas Frank and technical director Johan Lange.

At Arsenal, it is noted that he generally let Edu and Arteta shape the football operation in terms of performance.

That may sound a given. But ask managers up and down the country – it isn’t.

He is viewed by those who worked alongside him at the Emirates as an efficient administrator, whose intelligence allows him to analyse and understand information quickly.

That strength allows him to make relevant contributions internally and, on a wider basis, it has allowed Venkatesham to expand his influence.

For example, he was a key member of the European Club Association, though he has now relinquished his position with the organisation.

It is said his amiable persona allows him to deal smoothly with characters who perhaps seem more assertive than his exterior suggests he is.

It will be interesting to hear if Venkatesham adopts an abrupter approach as he seeks to lay down a marker in the post-Levy era.

If first impressions are important, then those at the Emirates will tell you that Venkatesham makes a good one. In that sense, relationship building – internally and externally – is cited as one of Venkatesham’s key strengths.

Levy – despite often facing the wrath of irate supporters who pinned the blame for Tottenham’s flaws squarely on him – was liked behind the scenes at Spurs.

He was good to his staff. For instance, when Spurs would travel on pre-season tours, he would ensure the club’s support staff were provided with the same privileges as the players.

But it was Levy’s relationship with rival clubs that often left a sour taste; the now departed executive chairman’s infamous fierce negotiation style left him unpopular in boardrooms across the country.

It will be interesting to see how Venkatesham’s elevation, given his genteel and friendly personality, changes the dynamics between Tottenham and their rivals at boardroom level.

Will his “nice guy” identity be a strength or a weakness in a sport that is cut-throat?

TOTTENHAM have announced that Daniel Levy has stepped down from his role as Executive Chairman after nearly 25 years at the helm.

The huge announcement on Thursday evening brings to an end a quarter of a century of his leadership at the club.

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Levy oversaw regular European qualification and two trophies during his era – the 2008 League Cup and last season’s Europa League triumph.

He also played a key role in Tottenham’s moves into their new training ground and their new stadium.

But fans want to know what that means for the club.

What does Daniel Levy leaving mean for Tottenham’s ownership?

There will be no changes to the ownership or shareholder structure of the club, Tottenham have announced.

Daniel Levy 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.

“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.”

TORONTO — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said late Sunday that trade talks with the U.S. have resumed after Canada rescinded its plan to tax U.S. technology firms.

President Trump said Friday that he was suspending trade talks with Canada over its plans to continue with its tax on technology firms, which he called “a direct and blatant attack on our country.”

The Canadian government said that “in anticipation” of a trade deal “Canada would rescind” the digital services tax, which was set to go into effect Monday.

Carney and Trump spoke on the phone Sunday, and Carney’s office said they agreed to resume negotiations.

“Today’s announcement will support a resumption of negotiations toward the July 21, 2025, timeline set out at this month’s G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis,” Carney said in a statement.

Carney visited Trump in May at the White House, where he was polite but firm. Trump traveled to Canada for the Group of 7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, where Carney said that Canada and the U.S. had set a 30-day deadline for trade talks.

Trump, in a post on his social media network last Friday, said Canada had informed the U.S. that it was sticking to its plan to impose the digital services tax, which applies to Canadian and foreign businesses that engage with online users in Canada.

The digital services tax was due to hit companies including Amazon, Google, Meta, Uber and Airbnb with a 3% levy on revenue from Canadian users. It would have applied retroactively, leaving U.S. companies with a $2-billion bill due at the end of the month.

Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, called Carney’s retreat a “clear victory” for Trump.

“At some point this move might have become necessary in the context of Canada-U.S. trade negotiations themselves, but Prime Minister Carney acted now to appease President Trump and have him agree to simply resume these negotiations, which of a clear victory for both the White House and big tech,” Béland said.

He said it makes Carney look vulnerable to Trump’s outbursts.

“President Trump forced PM Carney to do exactly what big tech wanted. U.S. tech executives will be very happy with this outcome,” Béland said.

Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne issued a statement after speaking Sunday with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

“Rescinding the digital services tax will allow the negotiations of a new economic and security relationship with the United States to make vital progress,” his statement said.

Trump’s announcement Friday was the latest swerve in the trade war he’s launched since taking office for a second term in January. Progress with Canada has been a roller coaster, starting with the U.S. president poking at the nation’s northern neighbor and repeatedly suggesting it would be absorbed as a U.S. state.

Canada and the U.S. have been discussing easing a series of steep tariffs Trump imposed on goods from America’s neighbor.

Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum as well as 25% tariffs on autos. He is also charging a 10% tax on imports from most countries, though he could raise rates on July 9, after the 90-day negotiating period he set would expire.

Canada and Mexico face separate tariffs of as much as 25% that Trump put into place under the auspices of stopping fentanyl smuggling, though some products are still protected under the 2020 U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement signed during Trump’s first term.

Gillies writes for the Associated Press.