By Joe Symes.
Tottenham Houspur’s current predicament is simple, the club are in hot water.
Known as one of the traditional “big six” merited on league positions overtime, Tottenham have regressed every season bar one since their move from White Hart Lane to their £1 billion home, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Despite being comfortable last season in terms of staving relegation off, the Europa League win breathed hope into a bright future, instead, it’s done the opposite.
A point above West Ham in 18th place with nine games to go seems unthinkable for a side like Spurs, but a culmination of events, such as their spine depleted through injuries, a squad of individuals rather than a team has plagued a club with much potential into the abyss.
So how have a club like Spurs plummeted from European Champions to possible relegation?
Up until the start of last season, Ange Postecoglou seemingly had a plan despite much outside scrutiny, games at Tottenham became like a chess match with their high-line style, until injuries hampered their league form. When it became apparent that Tottenham wouldn’t be in danger, Postecoglou made the Europa League his sole focus.
He and his squad relished in this, beating Manchester United in the Europa League final, was the “Spursy” monkey on their back about to diminish?
The Greek manager was sacked, and in came Thomas Frank; a manager with serious credibility in the bank after his success at minnows Brentford.
Frank’s reign began well, with wins over Burnley and most impressively, Manchester City at the Etihad, but then, it turned sour.
Their home form was detrimental, and the players in their ranks aren’t equipped to struggle, and Frank was dismissed. The possibility of Tottenham going down was serious.
There was lack of relationships across the board, the camaraderie between players, supporters and most importantly, their manager, appeared to lessen game by game.
Frank’s reign was short but not sweet, showing the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, leaving a project club like Brentford to join Tottenham, a club with demands of regular European football.
Igor Tudor was brought in to steady the club, but defeats to Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace have only pushed them further in the mire, while rivals Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and West Ham have vigour and fight about them, Spurs are in free-fall.
A 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid midweek in the Champions League showed the increasing worry and frailty around Tottenham and that they can’t compete with Europe’s best no longer. Getting knocked out could also be a blessing in disguise, as less focus on other competition may help attention switch to Premier League survival
Games against the aforementioned Nottingham Forest and Leeds are to come at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a ground they have only won at three times in the league since the turn of 2025, will require maximums from these fixtures.
Tudor’s management has also taken backlash, and the possibility of another managerial change is a real possibility. Fancy names and attractive football won’t do the trick at this stage of the season; it’s about inspiration and grinding out results to keep a Premier League mainstay afloat.
There’s no looking up to the higher stretches of the table, Spurs are in trouble and are constantly looking over their shoulders. Players with higher ceilings like Xavi Simons, Mathys Tel, Micky Van de Ven will have to take it upon themselves to use their individual quality to drag Spurs clear. Whatever league position is attained, a club overview and reset will be immediately required. It’s panic stations in North London, but where will it lead too?
