Steve Hitchen's heartfelt email to Tottenham staff after exit and his difficult decision

Was The Price To Let Aubameyang Go Too High?

Who Is Thomas Tuchel's Main Target In The Summer Window?

Arsenal Transfer Interest In Developing North American Market

Spurs sign Juventus duo

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta showcases his skills during Dubai visit

Tanguy Ndombele leaves Tottenham Hotspur

Steve Hitchen sent the Tottenham staff a heartfelt email on Wednesday explaining his decision to resign as the club's technical performance director, understands.

The 45-year-old asked Spurs chairman Daniel Levy on Tuesday to release him from his contract after five years at the club - 10 years in total following a previous spell as a scout.

That request was granted and Hitchen has now begun a period of gardening leave, with both Everton and Newcastle United believed to be showing interest in bringing him in to head up their new projects.

Staff within Spurs have told that Hitchen sent a heartfelt email to them all on Wednesday explaining the reasoning behind his resignation to seek new challenges after the last five years.

He is understood to have praised those staff behind the scenes who have kept the club going through the highs and lows and spoken of his honour at working with some of the world's best managers during the past half a decade.

Hitchen also reserved thanks for Levy for giving him the chance to work for Tottenham and then the chairman's understanding with his decision to seek new opportunities.

Hitchen is understood to have been considering his future at Spurs since last summer, when an unexpected move was made to bring Fabio Paratici in as the club's new managing director of football.

While Hitchen and Paratici are believed to be friends, the Italian's arrival naturally changed the role of the former, who had