Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent on BBC Football Daily

The other interesting element of this that isn't in the statement is that this happens with immediate effect so read into that what you will.

Daniel Levy's family own 30% of ENIC who are the majority shareholders of Tottenham.

But, my understanding is that he will cease to have any direct involvement with the club with him stepping down as Executive Chairman but the shareholding structure between ENIC and Tavistock does not change.

But, all out indications are that Levy will cease to have any control of the club. Also, from what I understand, this is not necessarily a decision taken by Joe Lewis himself. I think it's a decision taken by younger generations of the club.

So, Vivian and Charlie, who are Joe's children, are involved in the decision and Joe's grandson in-law Nick Beucher is also involved.

Image source, Getty Images

David Pleat
Former Tottenham manager on BBC Radio 5 live

To achieve success in the modern game without mega money is very difficult and to do what Tottenham have done in the last two decades is quite incredible.

The stadium is magnificent, nobody can rival the training ground, and the club is on a good footing and he has always been sensible.

Daniel Levy is no more tough than any other chairman who protects his club and looks after his club's finances. As far as being a custodian of the club I don't think there is a more astute chairman. I would say he has looked after the club well.

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent on BBC Football Daily

Image source, Getty Images

It is bombshell news and news that has caught the industry on the hop.

But, if you work in the realms of London football in terms of journalism and reporting - many of us would have heard soundings to this effect over the course of the summer.

Having spoken to various people involved in the decision, the Lewis family who own the Tavistock Group who effectively own Tottenham have decided that they want a greater focus on sporting success. So take from that what you will.

They say that element is clear. I wouldn't backtrack on anyone saying it was probably not Daniel Levy's decision.

The other element to that is there is also a feeling at the Tavistock Group that the success on the pitch has not been consistent enough and I have been told that element is part of the decision for Daniel to step down.

Dan Roan
BBC sports editor

Daniel Levy's near 25-year reign as executive chairman of Tottenham is over.

Spurs' official announcement said he had "stepped down", but BBC Sport understands the decision was taken out of Levy's hands.

Well-placed sources said the ownership agreed for him to leave his position amid a belief that change would lead to greater sporting success.

Levy was appointed in March 2001 and leaves after the club won the Europa League in May to end a 17-year wait for a trophy.

The 63-year-old was the Premier League's longest-serving chairman and earned an estimated £50m-plus during his time in charge, but he was also the target of regular protests from Spurs fans, especially last season.

Levy will go with immediate effect and there will be no notice period, with the timing of his departure after the summer transfer window a deliberate move.

However, one source familiar with Levy told BBC Sport the former chairman had to operate with "one hand tied behind his back" during his tenure, and had to diversify revenue streams as a result.

They said they felt there'd been insufficient investment in Spurs for the past 25 years, and the question was whether that would really change.

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of those games, there was some other big news that dropped yesterday evening that we said we would cover this morning.

And you probably already know what that is because it's in the headline of this page.

So here you go...

Image source, Reuters

Germany suffered a surprise defeat away to Slovakia in their opening World Cup qualifier in Bratislava.

David Hancko gave the hosts the lead three minutes before half-time, running from his own half before playing a one-two with David Strelec, and finishing past visiting keeper Oliver Baumann.

Middlesbrough forward Strelec added the second when he bamboozled Antonio Rudiger 10 minutes after the restart with some tidy footwork before curling a shot into the top corner.

This was only the fourth World Cup qualifier Germany have ever lost.

Liverpool's Florian Wirtz and new Newcastle signing Nick Woltemade were both in Julian Nagelsmann's side, but the visitors were disappointing in attack.

Northern Ireland won 3-1 in Luxembourg in Group A's other game and visit Germany next on Sunday (19:45 BST).

Image source, Getty Images

Northern Ireland began their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 win over Luxembourg at the Stade de Luxembourg.

Jamie Reid gave the visitors the lead in the eighth minute, but Luxembourg deservedly equalised through Aiman Dardari after half an hour.

Michael O'Neill's side were much improved after the break and earned victory thanks to first international goals from Shea Charles and Justin Devenny with Luxembourg's Seid Korac shown a second yellow in between.

Northern Ireland's next game in Group A is on Sunday in Cologne when they meet Germany (19:45 BST).

Image source, Reuters

Wales had to dig deep to avoid embarrassment in Kazakhstan as they held on for a narrow win that moved them to the top of their World Cup qualifying group.

Kieffer Moore gave the initially dominant visitors a first-half lead on his 50th international appearance, sliding in on the rebound after Liam Cullen's header from a Harry Wilson free-kick had been saved.

However, Wales lost their grip on the game and Kazakhstan, ranked 114th in the world, were agonisingly close to equalising early in the second half when Galymzhan Kenzhebek's curling 20-yard shot was tipped on to the crossbar by Karl Darlow.

Craig Bellamy's side had chances to put the result beyond doubt but their fired-up opponents continued to press for a leveller and what would have been a significant result for Kazakh football.

With the final kick of the game, Serikzhan Muzhikov's curling set-piece flicked the top of the bar and Wales clung on for victory.

Their subdued celebrations at the final whistle gave an idea of what they made of their indifferent performance but, most importantly, the result keeps alive their hopes of qualifying automatically for the 2026 World Cup.

Happy Friday!

First one of the new season with no Premier League news conferences. Curse you international break.

With that said, we do have one news conference to bring you today - from the England camp.

Manager Thomas Tuchel will be alongside Newcastle defender Dan Burn later this morning to preview Saturday's game against Andorra.

But first... A look at yesterday's action.