Spurs Sweep Sugar Under Carpet

Tottenham announced a restructuring of their off-the-pitch management yesterday in an attempt to remove the last traces of the former chairman Alan Sugar's reign and increase the influence of the club's new owners Enic.

The changes mean that Daniel Levy, the managing director of Enic who bought Spurs from Sugar in February, will now take over the day-to-day running of the club.

Levy has been the executive chairman of Spurs since the £22m Enic takeover while the club has been run by David Buchler. The two men are now set to change jobs, with Buchler likely to take charge of communications.

It was also announced that two former Sugar executives are leaving White Hart Lane. John Sedgwick, the operations manager and a close ally of Sugar, has left the club along with John Ireland, the company secretary.

The changes, results of an eight-month review by Buchler, came as Spurs announced pre-tax losses of £3.5m for the year ending June 30.

A club source said: "There is no doubt that those who have been removed are seen as the old guard from the days of Sugar. This is not about cost cutting; it is about how to run Tottenham more efficiently."

Levy said yesterday: "David Buchler has recommended that the major shareholder [Enic] be involved in the operation of the club. They have most to lose, so I will now assume an executive role. The reality is that since Enic bought its shares I have played an active role in taking the club forward."

Buchler, in his review, concluded that White Hart Lane's capacity should be increased from 36,000 to 44,000. Spurs already have preliminary planning permission to complete the work.

It was also recommended that the money that would usually be spent on experienced players should be used to develop young players at the club's academy instead.

Plans are afoot to strengthen the club's brand by spreading the Tottenham name worldwide.

Levy revealed yesterday that one of the reasons for the increased pre-tax loss was because the club had spent £1.5m on sacking the former manager George Graham and recruiting his replacement Glenn Hoddle. Spurs' turnover increased from £48m last year to £48.4m in 2001. Around £20m was spent on players.

Levy said: "You only have to look at how we are performing on the pitch to realize what an impact that change of management has had. Our league position might not reflect it yet but the fans can sense there's been a real change."