Spurs Struggle to Avoid Relegation as Crisis Deepens

Interim manager Igor Tudor fails to turn around Tottenham's fortunes as they fight to stay in the Premier League

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Tottenham Hotspur's dismal season continued as they suffered a damaging home defeat to Crystal Palace, leaving them just one point above the Premier League relegation zone. The club's decline has been marked by instability, with 12 managers sacked under chairman Daniel Levy's tenure. The departure of popular former boss Mauricio Pochettino in 2019 is seen as a key turning point, while injuries to key players and failed transfer moves have also contributed to Spurs' struggles. Interim manager Igor Tudor was unable to arrest the slide, leading to questions about his future and the direction of the club.

Why it matters

Tottenham's precipitous fall from grace, after reaching the Champions League final just seven years ago, has left their fans in despair. The club's inability to build on that success and provide sustained competitiveness at the top level has eroded trust in the leadership of Daniel Levy. As Spurs stare down the barrel of potential relegation, the future of the club hangs in the balance.

The details

Spurs have spent heavily on players in recent years, with a net spend of £653 million since Pochettino's sacking in 2019 - only Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal have spent more. However, high-profile signings like Tanguy Ndombele have failed to live up to expectations, while the club has struggled to replace the goals of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, who have both departed in the last year. Interim manager Igor Tudor was brought in to provide an "impact", but has lost his first three games in charge, leaving Spurs in deep trouble.

  • Pochettino was sacked in November 2019, just months after leading Spurs to the Champions League final.
  • Kane left Spurs for Bayern Munich in a £86.4m deal in August 2023.
  • Son Heung-min joined Los Angeles FC in the summer transfer window.

The players

Daniel Levy

The long-serving chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, who has overseen the club's rise and recent decline, including the sacking of 12 managers during his tenure.

Mauricio Pochettino

The popular former Tottenham manager who led the club to the Champions League final in 2019, before being sacked later that year.

Igor Tudor

The interim Tottenham manager who was brought in to provide an "impact" but has so far failed to turn around the club's fortunes.

Harry Kane

Tottenham's record goalscorer, who left the club in an £86.4m move to Bayern Munich in August 2023.

Son Heung-min

Spurs' prolific South Korean striker, who departed for Los Angeles FC in the summer transfer window.

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What they’re saying

“This is a problem that has been building over years. You can circle a drain long enough but at some point you will fall in.”

— Paul Robinson, Former Spurs and England goalkeeper (BBC Sport)

“You look back to that Champions League final. Spurs had a manager who people would walk over hot coals to get back now. This was the time to back him with a long-term contract, invest heavily to ensure you stay on that level. Ever since that day the club has regressed.”

— Paul Robinson, Former Spurs and England goalkeeper (BBC Sport)

“There is something that is fundamentally wrong at that club. Spurs have decreased the stock of managers who arrived at the club as winners, such as Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte. Managers who had won regularly elsewhere didn't win at Spurs. You have to ask why that is.”

— Paul Robinson, Former Spurs and England goalkeeper (BBC Sport)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Tottenham's downward spiral highlights the challenges of maintaining success in the Premier League, with the club's inability to build on their 2019 Champions League final appearance and the departure of key players like Harry Kane and Son Heung-min contributing to their current predicament. The future of the club under Daniel Levy's leadership remains uncertain as they fight to avoid relegation.