Tottenham Hotspur’s ongoing rebuild behind the scenes has taken another interesting turn, and not everyone is convinced it is a step in the right direction. The decision to bring Carlos Raphael Moersen into the club’s leadership structure has raised eyebrows, with one highly experienced football executive openly questioning whether Spurs are creating clarity or simply adding to an already crowded boardroom.
In recent months, Tottenham have undergone major changes at executive level. Daniel Levy’s exit marked the end of an era, and since then the club has been reshaping its hierarchy in an attempt to modernise its operations and support a new direction on the pitch.
While change was always expected, the arrival of Moersen has prompted concern from those who have seen similar restructures go wrong elsewhere.
Keith Wyness, a former chief executive at both Everton and Aston Villa, has spoken candidly about the appointment and why it troubles him. Wyness does not doubt Moersen’s ability or reputation.
In fact, he openly acknowledges that Moersen is highly regarded within football circles and did strong work during his time at Manchester City. The issue, in his view, is not the individual, but the lack of clarity around why Tottenham need him at all.
From the outside, Wyness sees overlapping responsibilities at the top of the club. Tottenham already have Vinai Venkatesham as chief executive and Johan Lange overseeing football operations. Both figures are expected to play central roles in transfer planning, negotiations, and long-term strategy.
Bringing Moersen into a role that appears to touch on those same areas risks blurring the lines of authority, which can quickly become a problem during high-pressure periods like the January transfer window.
Wyness believes that when too many senior figures share similar duties, decision-making can slow down or become confused. Transfers, contract talks, and squad planning require speed and unity, not uncertainty about who has the final say.
He fears that Moersen’s presence could unintentionally create friction or indecision, even if everyone involved is acting with good intentions.
There is also concern about how this structure affects the head coach. Thomas Frank has only recently taken charge and is still shaping the squad in his image. For a manager, clear communication with the people above him is essential.
If the chain of command is unclear, it can leave the coach unsure who to approach, whose backing he truly has, and how quickly his requests will be acted upon.
Wyness has suggested that this kind of uncertainty does little to help Frank at a critical stage of the season. Tottenham have been inconsistent on the pitch, and injuries have already tested the squad’s depth.
With the transfer window now open, Frank needs strong and unified support from above, not a situation where decisions are debated or delayed because too many voices are involved.
Adding to the sense of instability is the expected departure of Fabio Paratici. The Italian executive, who was only appointed as sporting director a short time ago, is set to leave Spurs to take up a senior role at Fiorentina.
Losing Paratici so close to the January window is seen by many as a significant setback, given his experience and influence in the transfer market.
Paratici’s exit means Tottenham are losing another key decision-maker at a moment when stability is badly needed. When combined with the questions surrounding Moersen’s role, it creates the impression of a club still searching for the right balance at the top. For supporters, this can be worrying, especially when rivals appear more settled and decisive.
None of this means that Moersen will fail or that Tottenham’s plans are doomed. Football history is full of examples where early doubts were proven wrong.
However, the concerns raised highlight a familiar risk: too many cooks in the kitchen can spoil the meal. Success off the pitch often depends on simplicity, trust, and clearly defined roles.
As the January window unfolds, all eyes will be on Tottenham’s transfer activity and how smoothly decisions are made. That period may offer the clearest answer yet on whether this new structure empowers Thomas Frank or leaves him navigating uncertainty.
For now, the appointment of Carlos Raphael Moersen remains a move that divides opinion and leaves more questions than answers about the direction Spurs are taking.
