What Vinai Venkatesham will bring to Tottenham after key role in Arsenal rebuild | OneFootball

Former CEO was a hugely popular figure over 14 years with the Gunners and takes plenty of expertise across the north London divide

Vinai Venkatesham was a strong supporter of Arsenal’s women’s team, helping to build their brand off the pitch

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

It tells you all you need to know about Vinai Venkatesham’s pedigree that he was part of The New Year Honours List for 2024 in recognition of his services to sport.

Venkatesham, who will become Tottenham’s new chief executive this summer, is best known for his 14 years at Arsenal, but his CV is far greater than that.

The business side of sport is where Venkatesham’s expertise lie and he joined Arsenal in 2010 as head of global partnerships - overseeing all the club’s commercial activities - after previously working as an oil trader and a strategy consultant at Deloitte.

Moving up the ranks at Arsenal, in 2018 Venkatesham was appointed managing director at the same time that Raul Sanllehi was made head of football relations.

In the post-Arsene Wenger era, the idea was that Sanllehi would lead all football activities and Venkatesham the business operations.

Venkatesham succeeded in the role and, when Sanllehi left in August 2020, he became chief executive.

In hiring Venkatesham, Tottenham have landed someone with a clear track record of excelling on the business side of sport

His remit grew, but the football side was still led by others - primarily Edu, who was technical director at the time, and Mikel Arteta, who was promoted from head coach to manager.

Venkatesham impressed many at Arsenal with his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, which was an immensely challenging period.

He was also a strong supporter of the women’s team and helped grow the side’s brand, especially off the pitch.

Venkatesham was a popular figure at Arsenal and he left on good terms, announcing his departure a year in advance but staying until the end of last season.

That gave Arsenal plenty of time to find a successor, with Richard Garlick eventually being promoted internally.

Venkatesham had decided it was time to leave in search of a new challenge after playing a key role in Arsenal’s rebuild under Arteta.

In hiring Venkatesham, Tottenham have landed someone with a clear track record of excelling on the business side of sport.

Read more: Why Venkatesham appointment raises questions over balance of Spurs boardroom power

That is where his expertise lie and it is unlikely he will massively interfere in the work of Spurs’ technical director Johan Lange.

An intriguing element of Venkatesham’s hire is his ability to connect with supporters, which he did well at Arsenal.

He made a point of trying to make the club more transparent via forums and advisory boards, with the failed attempt to join a European Super League in 2021 having an impact, too.

Venkatesham played an important part in Arsenal’s resurgence under Mikel Arteta

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (AST) posted the following statement when Venkatesham’s departure was announced in September 2023: “AST is sad to hear that Arsenal Chief Executive Vinai Venkatesham will leave the club.

“He was genuinely committed to fan engagement and improved relations considerably when taking over. He was always available and would be direct and honest in discussions.

“Vinai also rebuilt a younger, more diverse and dynamic executive team at Arsenal that is making a difference. We wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Few would have predicted those “future endeavours” would be down the road in north London.