Daniel Levy defies Tottenham fans by 'strengthening his position' as Tottenham chairman - by appointing ex-Arsenal chief Vinai Venkatesham as CEO

Tottenham announced the appointment of Venkatesham as their new chief executive on Friday. Venkatesham will fill a newly-created role, but is expected to still report directly into Levy as chairman.

Matt Law in The Telegraph reports that many other clubs are surprised that Tottenham would pursue a former-Arsenal executive. Rather than provide any challenge to Levy's authority, the hire may in fact be a ploy by the chairman to insulate himself from fervent fan criticism. Last week, tensions between fans and the club's ownership group ENIC came to a head, with a protest march before a Premier League fixture against Southampton.

Venkatesham worked at Arsenal for 14 years, spending the last four years of his tenure as CEO. Venkatesham is also the chair of the Wembley Stadium advisory board and was involved in the delivery of the London Olympics in 2012.

Irrespective of what's going on in the board room, Tottenham's season comes down to the return leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt. Spurs travel to Germany after a 1-1 draw in north London.