Latest news with #DonnaMariaCullen
The Australian
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Australian
Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham future to be decided this week
One of Daniel Levy's closest advisers, Donna-Maria Cullen, has stepped down from the Tottenham Hotspur board as the club begins another summer of upheaval off the pitch. Cullen, who will leave Spurs after more than two decades working with the club, is expected to be the first of a string of significant changes made to the Tottenham hierarchy, with the new chief executive Vinai Venkatesham officially starting work this week. Venkatesham, who was previously at Arsenal for more than a decade, will help lead the shake-up of Tottenham's key positions, with the roles of Scott Munn, the chief football officer, and Johan Lange, the technical director, among those now coming under heavy scrutiny. Daniel Levy, chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, shakes hands with Ange Postecoglou. Picture:A decision on Ange Postecoglou's future as head coach, which is also in serious doubt, is expected to be made this week. Postecoglou did not hold any talks with Levy before going on holiday to Greece last week, after Tottenham lost 4-1 at home against Brighton & Hove Albion in their final game of the season, which meant they finished 17th in the Premier League. Levy, who attended the game against Brighton, was undecided on Postecoglou's future at that stage, after Tottenham's Europa League triumph and a joyous trophy parade had turbo-charged the Australian coach's case for staying. Thomas Frank (Brentford), Marco Silva (Fulham) and Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth) have all been discussed as possible successors, but there have been concerns raised around a lack of pedigree and experience. Brentford's Thomas Frank has been linked with the Tottenham job. Picture:In an interview with ABC's Australian Story, which aired last night (Monday), Postecoglou said: 'I have no doubt that for me the mission when I joined the football club was to win a trophy.' Postecoglou also referred to his speech to the fans during the trophy parade, when he said that season three is usually better than season two in the best television shows. 'I didn't want us to just enjoy the moment,' he said. 'I also wanted us to think about what's next, you know – don't settle for this. We've got a taste of it now. My players have got a taste for it. The club's got a taste for it. Well, let's make sure we're back here again.' Postecoglou is not the only one at Tottenham now waiting for clarity on his future. Venkatesham will take on some of the responsibilities previously performed by Levy and other board members at Spurs, and his arrival makes Munn's remit as chief football officer particularly unclear. Munn was appointed in 2023 and was involved in implementing changes to the Spurs medical staff last year, but the team's injury record was significantly worse this season. Both Munn's position and Lange's role as technical director would also be affected if Fabio Paratici, Tottenham's former managing director of football, returns to the club this summer. Paratici resigned from his role at Spurs in April 2023, just after Munn's arrival, but the 30-month ban he received after his former club Juventus were found guilty of false accounting ends in July. Paratici has continued to advise Levy on a consultancy basis and attended the win over Manchester United in the Europa League final. In theory, Lange could work below Paratici, as Steve Hitchen did as technical director when Paratici first joined Spurs in 2021, although Hitchen resigned less than a year later. Cullen, 62, joined the Tottenham board in 2006 after previously serving as an adviser to the club for 14 years. While her main role was as a communications and marketing specialist, she was a hugely influential figure at Spurs, after playing a key role in the new stadium project and becoming one of Levy's most trusted confidantes. In a statement, Cullen said: 'The club has been my life for the past three decades. It has been quite some journey, starting at White Hart Lane, with a brief stay at Wembley and finally our new home – amazing memories home and away. Ending this season with the Europa League trophy was a dream come true. 'The time is now right for me to gather more time for myself and my family, whom I thank for all their support over the years. 'I shall spend the coming months ensuring there is a smooth handover with my staff.' Levy said: 'Donna has made an immense contribution to the club, over an extensive period. Her diverse responsibilities grew significantly and replacing her roles with a single individual will be impossible. 'While many may associate her primarily with marketing and communications, Donna's impact extends far beyond those areas. Notably, her leadership and political acumen at planning committees, was instrumental in the club being able to build one of the finest stadiums and training centres in the world. We wish her well.' – Tottenham coach Ryan Mason is set to land his first managerial role after agreeing to take over at West Bromwich Albion, according to reports.
The Independent
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Tottenham confirm first boardroom exit as Daniel Levy embarks on summer shake-up
Tottenham have announced that Daniel Levy 's closest ally will be stepping down as executive director, firing the starting pistol on an expected summer of change at the club. Donna-Maria Cullen has been a staple of the club's boardroom since 2006 but will now bid farewell as Levy's right-hand woman - the first of an anticipated raft of exits in the coming months. Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou is still yet to have his future clarified despite leading the club to a first trophy in 17 years, with his Europa League triumph perhaps not enough to save his job after a disastrous domestic campaign. 'This has been such a hard decision to make,' Cullen said in a statement. 'The club has been my life for the past three decades. I have had the privilege of working with Daniel, whose vision and energy has driven the club forward, and so many talented and wonderful colleagues. 'It has been quite some journey, starting at White Hart Lane, with a brief stay at Wembley and finally our new home - amazing memories home and away. Ending this season with the Europa League Trophy was a dream come true. 'The time is now right for me to gather more time for myself and my family, whom I thank for all their support over the years. I shall spend the coming months ensuring there is a smooth handover with my staff. Thank you all. I wish everyone at the club all the success in the world.' Levy added: 'Donna has made an immense contribution to the club, over an extensive period. Her diverse responsibilities grew significantly and replacing her roles with a single individual will be impossible. 'Her daily input will be greatly missed, however she fully deserves to take time for herself, and I know that we shall be able to call upon her advice when needed. We wish her well for the future.' The arrival of new CEO Vinai Venkatesham meant that there was always going to be a turnover in personnel this summer, with it also reported that the future of chief football officer Scott Munn is up in the air. It is expected that a decision on Postecoglou will be made this week, having concluded the Premier League season eight days ago. Spurs finished 17th in the table with a total of just 38 points.
Times
02-06-2025
- Business
- Times
Donna-Maria Cullen steps down as Tottenham Hotspur shake-up begins
One of Daniel Levy's closest advisers, Donna-Maria Cullen, has stepped down from the Tottenham Hotspur board as the club begins another summer of upheaval off the pitch. Cullen, who will leave Spurs after more than two decades working with the club, is expected to be the first of a string of significant changes made to the Tottenham hierarchy, with the new chief executive Vinai Venkatesham officially starting work this week. Venkatesham, who was previously at Arsenal for more than a decade, will help lead the shake-up of Tottenham's key positions, with the roles of Scott Munn, the chief football officer, and Johan Lange, the technical director, among those now coming under heavy scrutiny. A decision on Ange Postecoglou's future as head coach, which is also in serious doubt, is expected to be made this week. Postecoglou did not hold any talks with Levy before going on holiday to Greece last week, after Tottenham lost 4-1 at home against Brighton & Hove Albion in their final game of the season, which meant they finished 17th in the Premier League. Postecoglou did not hold any talks with Levy before going on holiday Levy, who attended the game against Brighton, was undecided on Postecoglou's future at that stage, after Tottenham's Europa League triumph and a joyous trophy parade had turbo-charged the Australian coach's case for staying. Thomas Frank (Brentford), Marco Silva (Fulham) and Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth) have all been discussed as possible successors. In an interview with ABC's Australian Story, which airs on Monday night, Postecoglou said: 'I have no doubt that for me the mission when I joined the football club was to win a trophy.' Postecoglou also referred to his speech to the fans during the trophy parade, when he said that season three is usually better than season two in the best television shows. 'I didn't want us to just enjoy the moment,' he said. 'I also wanted us to think about what's next, you know — don't settle for this. We've got a taste of it now. My players have got a taste for it. The club's got a taste for it. Well, let's make sure we're back here again.' Postecoglou is not the only one at Tottenham now waiting for clarity on his future. Venkatesham will take on some of the responsibilities previously performed by Levy and other board members at Spurs, and his arrival makes Munn's remit as chief football officer particularly unclear. Munn's position and Lange's role as technical director would also be affected if Fabio Paratici, Tottenham's former managing director of football, returns to the club this summer. Paratici resigned from that role in April 2023 but the 30-month ban he received, after his former club Juventus were found guilty of false accounting, ends in July. He has continued to advise Levy on a consultancy basis and attended the win over Manchester United in the Europa League final. In theory, Lange could work below Paratici, as Steve Hitchen did as technical director when Paratici first joined Spurs in 2021, although Hitchen resigned less than a year later. Cullen, 62, joined the Tottenham board in 2006 after previously serving as an adviser to the club for 14 years. While her main role was as a communications and marketing specialist, she was a hugely influential figure at Spurs, after playing a key role in the new stadium project and becoming one of Levy's most trusted confidantes. In a statement, Cullen said: 'The club has been my life for the past three decades. It has been quite some journey, starting at White Hart Lane, with a brief stay at Wembley and finally our new home — amazing memories home and away. Ending this season with the Europa League trophy was a dream come true. 'The time is now right for me to gather more time for myself and my family, whom I thank for all their support over the years. I shall spend the coming months ensuring there is a smooth handover with my staff.' Levy said: 'Donna has made an immense contribution to the club, over an extensive period. Her diverse responsibilities grew significantly and replacing her roles with a single individual will be impossible. 'While many may associate her primarily with marketing and communications, Donna's impact extends far beyond those areas. Notably, her leadership and political acumen at planning committees, was instrumental in the club being able to build one of the finest stadiums and training centres in the world. 'Her daily input will be greatly missed, however she fully deserves to take time for herself, and I know that we shall be able to call upon her advice when needed. We wish her well for the future.'
New York Times
02-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Long-serving Tottenham executive Donna-Maria Cullen announces departure
Tottenham Hotspur have announced long-serving executive director Donna-Maria Cullen has stepped down from her position on the board and will leave the club. Cullen, 62, joined the Tottenham board in 2006 and had worked as an advisor for the club in the 14 years prior to her appointment. She described her departure as 'such a hard decision', while chairman Daniel Levy praised the 'immense contribution' she has made to the club. Advertisement Cullen is among Spurs' most senior executive directors and is credited with playing a key role in the club's move from White Hart Lane to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Her departure marks the latest change to the Spurs hierarchy ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, with Vinai Venkatesham announced as the club's new CEO in April. A statement from Cullen read: 'The club has been my life for the past three decades. It has been quite some journey, starting at White Hart Lane, with a brief stay at Wembley and finally our new home — amazing memories home and away. Ending this season with the Europa League Trophy was a dream come true. 'The time is now right for me to gather more time for myself and my family, whom I thank for all their support over the years. I shall spend the coming months ensuring there is a smooth handover with my staff.' Levy added: 'Donna has made an immense contribution to the club, over an extensive period. Her diverse responsibilities grew significantly and replacing her roles with a single individual will be impossible. 'While many may associate her primarily with marketing and communications, Donna's impact extends far beyond those areas. Notably, her leadership and political acumen at planning committees, was instrumental in the club being able to build one of the finest stadiums and training centres in the world. 'Her daily input will be greatly missed, however she fully deserves to take time for herself, and I know that we shall be able to call upon her advice when needed. We wish her well for the future.' Levy's Spurs ownership has been the subject of supporter criticism and protest in recent seasons, with anti-Levy banners and chants becoming commonplace at fixtures. Spurs concluded the season by ending their 17-year wait for a major trophy as they won the Europa League, but finished down in 17th in the Premier League after taking just 38 points in the top-flight. Analysis from Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke The departure of Donna-Maria Cullen is a hugely significant moment for Tottenham Hotspur. She has been integral to the running of the club throughout the ENIC era, which started with the purchase of Alan Sugar's majority shareholding in 2000 and then Daniel Levy becoming chairman in 2001. Advertisement Cullen is a corporate PR specialist who worked for Lord Bell's communications company Chime plc in the 1990s before starting to advise Tottenham. In 2006 she joined the Tottenham board and since then has become one of the most influential people at the club. Along with CFO Matthew Collecott, Cullen has been at Levy's side for decades, anchoring an era of remarkable boardroom stability at Spurs, as the club has grown almost beyond recognition and moved into a new stadium in 2019. Over the years she has almost always been seen alongside Levy in the directors' box at games. Cullen's responsibilities have included oversight of the club's relations with the media and the outside world. This was always going to be a summer of profound change for the club on and off the pitch, with the arrival of Venkatesham as CEO. But those changes will now include the departure of one of Levy's most trusted and powerful lieutenants. ()
