Andy Rogers is to step down as managing director of Tottenham Hotspurs Women’s team in the summer, the club announced on Friday. He is exiting after 24 years at Spurs, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.
Commenting on his departure, Rogers said: “My time as Managing Director of the Women’s team has been by far the most rewarding and inspiring – personally and professionally – of all my 24 years at this fantastic Club. I have loved working with an incredible group of staff and players, both past and present, who have been my life for the past three-and-a-half years.”
He described himself as “so proud of the incredible staffing group that we’ve constructed”. The development of the women’s team is “down to them,” said Rogers “I sincerely believe we have created the foundations for them to continue to learn, develop and carry the ambition of the Club as high as I know it can reach.”
Commenting on the current manager, Rogers said of Martin Ho: “Altough we have only worked together for a short time, the impact he has made across every area of the Club through his passion, obsession and unwavering desire to win, has created an incredible environment for long-term success.”
Andy Rogers Impact on Spurs Women
On the impending departure, Tottenham Hotspur chief executive, Vinai Venkatesham, said: “Andy has made a significant contribution to the growth and development of our Women’s team over the past three-and-a-half years. His leadership, professionalism, and tireless commitment to the Club has helped shape strong foundations for our Women’s players and staff, both on and off the pitch. We have been building on these foundations with a renewed, more ambitious vision for Spurs Women set at the start of this season, and this work will continue to accelerate as we look forward.”
Andy Rogers’s departure is undoubtedly significant. Alongside the relegation battles, there have been some hugely positive developments at Spurs Women in recent years, not least getting to an FA Cup final. The team also achieved its highest ever WSL points table this season.
There seems to have a real “project” under Martin Ho. Indeed, it feels like the club are finally taking developing its women’s team seriously. Let’s hope the departure of Andy Rogers does not change that.
[UPDATED] What’s Next
There has been some fan backlash following the announcement. In no small part, this is because Rogers appeared at an event earlier this week, laying out plans for the team. It probably would have been smart to use the event to reveal the departure. However, my understanding is that nothing discussed changes as a result of today’s announcement.
As ever, for fans, our proof will come on the pitch. However, the ambition to grow the women’s team is said to remain.
I also understand there is, as yet, nothing formalised about the process or timeline to replace Andy Rogers at Spurs.