Tottenham Hotspur aims for resurgence after battling Premier League relegation

Tottenham Hotspur narrowly avoided Premier League relegation in the 2025-26 season, ending a tumultuous period with a 17th-place finish. Now, under the full-time leadership of head coach Roberto De Zerbi, the London club is gearing up for the 2026-27 campaign with “significantly higher goals” and a busy summer transfer window.

Their season kicks off with a London derby away to Brentford on Saturday, August 22. This match will mark the official start of a new era, as Spurs look to put their recent struggles behind them and climb the Premier League table.

A challenging 2025-26 Premier League season

The 2025-26 season proved exceptionally difficult for Tottenham Hotspur, who finished 17th in the Premier League. This was the second consecutive season they ended in 17th place, a concerning first for the club in 111 years.

The severity of their situation became clear on April 11, 2026, when Tottenham dropped into the relegation zone. They sat 18th with just 30 points after West Ham United’s 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton, which moved West Ham to 17th with 32 points.

This marked the first time Tottenham had been in the relegation zone since August 2015. The team endured a dismal 14-match winless run in the Premier League during 2026, including an eight-game streak without a win at the start of the year.

It was the club’s second-longest top-flight winless run in history. Only a 16-game streak in 1934-35 was longer. Ultimately, Tottenham secured safety on the final day of the season, winning 1-0 against Everton thanks to a João Palhinha goal in the 43rd minute, while West Ham United were relegated.

Managerial turmoil marked the season

The instability on the touchline undoubtedly contributed to Spurs’ struggles. The 2025-26 season saw three different head coaches at Tottenham Hotspur.

Ange Postecoglou began the season as manager but was sacked after the club’s 17th-place finish in the 2024-25 season, despite winning the Europa League. Thomas Frank then took over, initially guiding Spurs into the top three with 14 points from his first seven Premier League matches.

However, a subsequent fitness crisis led to a decline in form, and Frank was dismissed on February 11, 2026. He had also overseen a penalty-shootout loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup.

Interim manager Igor Tudor stepped in on February 14, 2026. But he only managed to secure one point from five league matches before departing by mutual consent on March 30, 2026. His departure followed a home loss to Nottingham Forest and a personal tragedy involving his father’s death.

Roberto De Zerbi’s pivotal arrival at Tottenham Hotspur

The appointment of Roberto De Zerbi on March 31, 2026, proved to be a turning point for Tottenham Hotspur. He signed a five-year contract with no break clause, showing a strong commitment even amid relegation fears.

De Zerbi immediately took charge for the final seven Premier League fixtures of the 2025-26 season. His first game was an away match against Sunderland, followed by a home debut against Brighton on April 18, 2026, at 17:30.

His third game in charge was away at Wolverhampton Wanderers on April 25, 2026, with kick-off at 15:00. Crucially, De Zerbi led Spurs to secure eleven points from their final six matches, ensuring their 17th-place finish and Premier League survival.

“I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club,” De Zerbi stated upon his arrival, highlighting its status as one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world. He emphasised the club’s clear ambition to build a team capable of great achievements while playing an exciting, inspiring style of football.

Sporting Director Johan Lange reinforced the club’s faith in the Italian manager. Lange stated that De Zerbi “was our number one target for the summer and we are very pleased to be able to bring him in now.”

Analysing 2025-26 Tottenham Hotspur statistics

Beyond their Premier League struggles, Tottenham Hotspur’s 2025-26 season also saw early exits in various cup competitions. They reached the third round of the FA Cup and the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

In Europe, Spurs made it to the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League. They also finished as Runners-up in the UEFA Super Cup. These results underscore a season of underperformance across the board.

Richarlison emerged as the club’s top scorer, netting 12 goals in all competitions, with 11 of those coming in the league. The team scored 79 goals overall but conceded 81, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities throughout the campaign.

Home attendance figures varied, with a high of 61,876 against Everton on May 24, 2026, but a low of 42,473 for an EFL Cup tie against Doncaster Rovers on September 24, 2025. The average home league attendance was 61,006.

Their biggest win was a 4–0 victory over Copenhagen in the Champions League on November 4, 2025. However, the season also included heavy defeats, such as 1–4 against Arsenal twice, 0–3 against Nottingham Forest twice, and 2–5 against Atlético Madrid.

The club experienced historically poor home form during the season, managing only three home league wins. This record undoubtedly contributed to their perilous league position and the fan disillusionment.

Aims and outlook for the 2026-27 season

Roberto De Zerbi is now poised to lead Tottenham Hotspur into his first full season as head coach. The club has openly stated they hold “significantly higher goals” for the 2026-27 campaign after narrowly avoiding relegation.

A top-four finish in the Premier League is considered a “reasonable aim” with current odds of 3/1, according to LiveScore Bet as of August 3, 2026. A top-six finish, however, is viewed as the “absolute minimum” with odds of 11/10.

The absence of European football this season could allow De Zerbi more dedicated time on the training pitch to implement his tactical vision. It also means less fixture congestion, which might help mitigate the demands of a busy schedule that contributed to past injury issues.

Tottenham Hotspur will look to leverage a “busy summer transfer window” to enhance their competitive form. Fans expect to see new players integrated into De Zerbi’s system, hoping these additions will propel the team towards their ambitious targets.

With a fresh start and a highly-regarded coach, the club hopes to move past the embarrassing 2025-26 season. The focus will be on consistent performances and re-establishing Tottenham Hotspur as a competitive force in English football.

This period of transition and high expectations will test the new regime’s ability to deliver. Ensuring good corporate governance and transparent decision-making will be key to rebuilding trust with the fanbase and achieving long-term success.