Tottenham's 2025/26 season was a rollercoaster of emotions, a campaign that began with high hopes but ended with a nail-biting escape from relegation. The club, known for its rich history and global fan base, found itself in uncharted territory, facing the prospect of its first relegation in nearly five decades. This is the story of a season that unfolded in dramatic fashion, leaving fans and pundits alike in awe and disbelief.
A Disastrous Start
The season kicked off with a sense of uncertainty. Thomas Frank, the new head coach, set the tone with a stark admission: "One thing is 100 per cent sure, we will lose football matches." This was a far cry from the optimism that surrounded his appointment, as he took over from the successful but controversial Ange Postecoglou. Frank's first competitive game in charge was a UEFA Super Cup encounter against Paris Saint-Germain, where Spurs blew a two-goal lead and lost on penalties. It was a sign of things to come.
The summer transfer window did not help matters. The club's pursuit of key players like Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White was met with setbacks, as they joined rivals Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, respectively. James Maddison's season-ending injury further exacerbated the creativity crisis, leaving Spurs with a depleted squad.
Injuries and Off-Pitch Turmoil
Injury woes plagued the team throughout the season. According to Transfermarkt, Tottenham had a league-high 27 players injured, making it a second consecutive season disrupted by injuries. The club's medical team struggled to keep key players on the pitch, with Xavi Simons succumbing to an ACL injury just months after joining. This constant state of flux made it difficult for Frank to establish a consistent starting XI.
Off the pitch, the situation was no less tumultuous. Chairman Daniel Levy's shock exit in early September sent shockwaves through the club. Rumors of a sale circulated, but ENIC, the majority shareholders, quickly quashed them. The leadership vacuum was filled by Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange, but the damage had already been done.
A Nightmare November
As the season progressed, Tottenham's form took a turn for the worse. November started with a limp home defeat to Chelsea, a performance described by Jamie Redknapp as one of the worst he had seen from Spurs. The booing of players by their own fans became a regular occurrence, with Frank branding the supporters 'unacceptable' after a 2-1 home loss to Fulham. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium had become a toxic environment, and the tension between fans, Frank, and the players was palpable.
Frank's Arsenal Cup and Unrest
The unrest reached a boiling point when Frank was pictured drinking from an Arsenal-branded cup before a match at Bournemouth. This image, seemingly AI-generated, became a symbol of Frank's disastrous time at Tottenham. The match itself was a disaster, with players involved in heated exchanges with away fans and captain Cristian Romero appearing to take aim at the club's hierarchy in a now-edited social media post.
Frank's Departure and Tudor's Arrival
Frank's reign came to an end after an underwhelming January transfer window. The appointment of Igor Tudor as his successor was met with skepticism, and it proved to be an utter disaster. Tudor's seven-game tenure included embarrassing losses to Arsenal and Fulham, and a chaotic 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid, where goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was substituted after just 17 minutes following two howlers. The team's form was abysmal, and the club found itself in a relegation battle.
De Zerbi's Rescue Act
Roberto De Zerbi became Tottenham's third head coach of the season, but his task was made even tougher when the club dropped into the relegation zone. Despite a 1-0 victory at Sunderland, Spurs struggled to find consistency, with a 2-2 home draw against Brighton extending their winless league run to 15 matches. However, a 2-1 win at Aston Villa moved them out of the relegation zone, and a nervy 1-0 victory at Wolves secured their Premier League status.
A Final-Day Escape
The final day of the season was a rollercoaster of emotions. Spurs, with the help of a toothless Everton side, stepped up to deliver the win they needed. Palhinha's match-winning goal secured their survival, but the journey to this point was a tumultuous one. The controversial VAR calls, the injuries, the off-pitch turmoil, and the changing of managers all contributed to a season that will go down in Tottenham's history as one of the most challenging and unpredictable.
In the end, Tottenham's escape from relegation was a testament to the resilience of the players and the support of the fans. But for De Zerbi, the hard work continues this summer. After back-to-back 17th-placed finishes, Spurs cannot allow themselves to be in this mess again. The club's future hangs in the balance, and the lessons learned from this season will be crucial in shaping their journey forward.
