Succession: N17 Edition

[James]

That's the flexibility of a made up character. I think it's the way to go.

I have an ad-blocker on my browser so it's not bad but I remember looking it up at work once and being appalled how full of ads it was.

[Sonny]

Date: Monday, 22 June, 2026
Location: Boardroom, Lilywhite House, London
Attendees: Peter Charrington (Non-Executive Chairman), Vinai Venkatesham (Chief Executive Officer), Matthew Collecott (Operations and Finance Director), Johan Lange (Sporting Director), Nick Beucher (Represents the Lewis family (ENIC ownership) in daily operations)
Mentioned but not present: Club owner Joe Lewis
Agenda: Manager Decision


By the time the doors closed in the boardroom at Lilywhite House on Monday morning, the outcome was never really in doubt. The two weeks since Thomas Frank’s dismissal had passed in a blur of interviews, leaks, media speculation, and agents asking for guarantees Tottenham had no intention of giving.

This was never about who would be best for Tottenham Hotspur, the football club. It was about who would be safest for the men in the room.

Peter Charrington opened the meeting with a statement that set the tone for everyone in the room. “We don’t need another personality,” he said. “We need a head coach. Not someone who’s going to test us in the press or argue every decision. Someone who knows his place and knows it is on the pitch.”

Vinai Venkatesham nodded without hesitation. No one else spoke.

After the chaos of the last twelve months — Thomas Frank’s failure, the public breakdown with Cristian Romero, low season-ticket renewals, and increasing pressure from ownership — Tottenham’s leadership had arrived at a familiar conclusion: ambition creates friction. Friction creates noise. And noise, at this club, is expensive.

“Pochettino is out,” Charrington said flatly. “He’d win the fans instantly, yes. Bring back the memories. But I’m not hiring a manager who wants control of transfers.”

Johan Lange pushed back carefully.

“After last time, Daniel Levy tied his hands completely. I understand why he wants guarantees.”

“I don’t care,” Vinai cut in. “We’re not doing it. Reject the demands. And make sure it’s clear — publicly — that he wanted too much control. Everyone knows that story. A manager having full control of transfers is a nightmare that never works.”

Lange leaned back, exhaling. “Then Xavi?” he offered. “Big name. Strong identity. Fans would buy into it.”

“No,” Peter said immediately. “He wants contractual guarantees on spending. £100 million in his first window. I’m not allowing a manager to dictate our financial strategy. Matthew?”

Collecott looked up, surprised to be summoned. “A coach doesn’t see the full picture of our budget,” he said. “Those demands aren’t realistic.”

Lange glanced back at his notes, visibly deflated. “Fonseca?”

“He told us to go to hell,” Vinai said. “Very clearly. The way Levy handled things last time put a taste in his mouth that will never go away. I even saw one fan say he would be a 'cuck' if he ever came back here.”

“Terzić?” Lange tried one last time.

“He refused a meeting,” Vinai replied. “His agent doesn’t want his client’s name anywhere near us. He is waiting for Kompany to take City, and the Bayern job to open is the rumour.”

Lange threw his hands up.

“That’s the list. These were the best candidates available. I’ll speak to the department and, ”

“Wait,” Peter said, standing up and walking to the window, looking out toward the High Road and the stadium beyond it. When he turned back, his tone had changed. “There is one more.”

Lange stiffened. “You can’t be serious.”

“We interviewed him,” Peter said. “Local. London-born. Knows the club. Knows the history.”

“He’s not even a top-level manager,” Lange snapped. “That interview was just for show. His last achievement was a National League promotion!”

“He’s also cheap,” Collecott added calmly. “Minimal compensation. Modest staff requests. Two squad additions: a backup right-back and a backup striker.”

“And he’s open to selling Romero to fund them,” Peter said. “No resistance, he is happy to go along with the club's decision.”

Peter looked directly at Lange. “He loves the squad you’ve already built, Johan.”

Lange said nothing.

“In the interview,” Peter continued, “he said everything supporters want to hear. Intensity. Aggressive pressing. Attacking football. The Tottenham way. Glory. Passion. He's one of them.”

Vinai finally spoke. “Daniel understands the scale of the job,” he said. “More importantly, he understands the scale of the club.”

That settled it.

“Fine,” Lange said quietly. “I’ll make the call.”

Vinai was already reaching for his phone.

“I’ll handle the news announcement,” he said. “Long-term project. Local coach. Tottenham through and through. A fresh voice. Maybe even mention something about the failures of Jose and Conte, the last big names the fans wanted. Let them know this is a new idea and not a recycled one.”

Peter turned back to the window, a smile growing across his face. He won. After years of waiting for Levy to step down, Peter finally has his time. The club is under his control, and now he is hiring a manager who will be his media puppet and defend him at every turn.

Or so he thought that was who Daniel Ashcroft was going to be.

[kibaxx7]

Not sure if I want you to succeed, but I'll definitely be following this I can hear the Britell title theme song in my mind.

[Sonny]

Not sure if I want you to succeed, but I'll definitely be following this I can hear the Britell title theme song in my mind.

The feeling is mutual in yours! Maybe we can agree to a truce for virtual game success.

[Sonny]

James, RMJH4, Soapy, Agent, kibaxx7, Xixak, Caesar, Chillcavern, and anyone I might have missed. If you have any realistic transfer ideas/requests or formation changes for your favorite teams, please let me know. I will implement them before Premier League games start.

[Xixak]

Ashcroft era.

Man i'd love to see you do what Spurs used to do and make some more kind of under the radar signings from central/northern europe that pan out. Used to do insanely well with the Belgian, Dutch, Danish, etc. players.

[Sonny]

Ashcroft era.

Man i'd love to see you do what Spurs used to do and make some more kind of under the radar signings from central/northern europe that pan out. Used to do insanely well with the Belgian, Dutch, Danish, etc. players.

That is the plan, get back to how Spurs used to operate. We have never been a club that spends on a big-name player; bringing in young talent and developing them is what we did when we were at our best.

[Sonny]

[RMJH4]

Sounds like super realistic plan for Spurs and Ashcroft. Great idea.

For Utd I would love to see Luis Enrique get the job long term. 4231 with a touch of 442. Transfer Targets all from PSG, Nuno Mendes, Jaoa Gomes and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

If not then keep Carrick, and pick up Ruben Neves or James Garner

Just one other thing Id love to see is Leeds sign Evan Ferguson. Lots of my cousins support leeds and they all see him as ideal.

[Agent]

I just hope Forest doesn’t get relegated. Setting the bar high.