The question isn’t whether Tottenham Hotspur are in crisis – the evidence is overwhelming. The more pressing, and increasingly uncomfortable, question is whether they can still be considered a ‘big six’ club. After a humbling Christmas Day spent in 14th place in the Premier League, and finishing 17th at the end of the 2024-25 season, the north London side are facing a stark reality: they’ve blown their chance to remain among England’s elite and risk being permanently stuck in the mid-table mire.
Sunday’s Premier League defeat to Leicester City, reported in January 2025, was their 13th in 23 matches this season, a losing percentage of 56.5%. Maintaining that rate over the remaining fixtures would result in the worst losing record in the club’s 142-year history. This isn’t a momentary slump; it’s a sustained decline from a team that, as recently as 2021-22, finished fourth under Antonio Conte and fifth last season under Ange Postecoglou.
For over a decade and a half, Tottenham had established a solid floor, consistently finishing in the top eight and frequently challenging for Champions League qualification. They’ve played in the Champions League in seven seasons since its 1992 makeover, a record surpassed only by the established ‘big six’. Yet, that consistency has evaporated, and Opta now gives them just an 11.5% chance of finishing in the top ten this season. They currently sit eight points above the relegation zone, a dangerously small margin for a club with aspirations of grandeur.
Much of the immediate focus has been on the current injury crisis and the tactical approach of head coach Thomas Frank, who replaced Postecoglou last summer. However, the underlying issues run deeper, pointing to fundamental problems with the club’s structure and resources. The wage bill has been significantly slashed, impacting the quality of players available to the manager.
Ange Postecoglou, speaking on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast in February 2026, was blunt in his assessment. He criticized Tottenham’s transfer strategy, lamenting the club’s inability to secure his primary targets – players like Pedro Neto, Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo, and Marc Guehi – due to financial limitations. When you look at their expenditure and particularly their wages structure, they’re not a big club,
Postecoglou stated. He pointed out that these players ultimately moved to rival clubs – Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City – for substantial fees.
Postecoglou’s assessment is particularly stinging given his own success during his tenure. He guided Spurs to fifth in the Premier League in his first season and, remarkably, ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League in 2025. However, he was subsequently sacked after the disastrous 17th-placed finish. He believes the club lacked the willingness to take risks
necessary to achieve genuine success, operating under the illusion of being a top club without the financial commitment to back it up.
The club’s instability in the managerial position since Mauricio Pochettino’s departure in 2019 further underscores the problems. Jose Mourinho, despite a promising initial period, was dismissed just days before the Carabao Cup final. The revolving door of managers – including Postecoglou and Frank – suggests a lack of a clear, long-term vision.
Tottenham’s modern facilities – the Hotspur Way training ground and the state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – are undeniable assets. However, as Postecoglou suggests, these are superficial improvements that don’t address the core issue: a lack of investment in playing talent. The club’s inability to compete financially with the true ‘big six’ is becoming increasingly apparent.
The situation is further complicated by the changing landscape of the Premier League. The financial power of clubs backed by nation-states and American investment groups has created a widening gap between the elite and the rest. Tottenham, lacking such backing, are struggling to keep pace.
The club’s recent struggles have prompted a re-evaluation of its status within the Premier League hierarchy. While historically considered a challenger to the top clubs, Tottenham are now facing the uncomfortable truth that they are no longer in the same league, financially or competitively. The question now is whether they can rebuild and reclaim their place among the elite, or whether they are destined to become just another mid-table club.
As one observer noted, Tottenham has become a meme club
. It’s a harsh assessment, but one that reflects the growing perception of a club perpetually on the cusp of greatness, yet consistently falling short. The sacking of Daniel Levy, the long-time chairman, signals a desire for change, but whether that change will be enough to restore Tottenham to its former glory remains to be seen.
