Tottenham’s Premier League survival hopes look more desperate by the week. Their chances of relegation now stand at 16.1 per cent after Igor Tudor’s disaster start has landed them just one point above the drop zone, without a domestic win in 2026.
Spurs’ latest defeat, a 3-1 home loss to Crystal Palace, was their fifth in a row and third under Tudor, who was tasked with the responsibility of turning their ailing campaign around when replacing Thomas Frank 22 days ago. Tudor is their seventh head coach in less than seven years.
He watched as his team capitulated in front of a despairing crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday – conceding three goals in seven first-half minutes after Micky van de Ven was sent off. Some fans were seen fleeing the ground before half-time.
By the time Spurs next play at home – against Nottingham Forest, live on Sky Sports – they could conceivably find themselves inside the bottom three rather than hovering above it.
The deepening crisis at Tottenham comes after winning the Europa League last season and advancing to the knockout stage of this year’s Champions League, a competition some believe must now be sacrificed, somewhat inexplicably, in order to prioritise Premier League safety.
So, where now? Sky Sports’ Michael Bridge answers key questions.
‘If you need a lift, Spurs will help you out’
Some Tottenham fans left before half-time in defeat to Crystal Palace
I did wonder last night if Tottenham would consider making a change. Igor Tudor was brought in because of his reputation as a firefighter but it hasn’t happened. Three games, three defeats.
I’m not sure you can look too deeply at the north London derby, Tudor had about 12 fit players to choose from for that game. But last night [against Crystal Palace] was the absolute must-win. No excuses.
Palace have not been on a great run themselves. But if you’re feeling flat, Spurs will be there for you. It was quite an atmosphere last night, so many fans just numb. They can’t believe what they are seeing. It could even get worse before it gets better.
This is the reality: Tottenham could be the first team in history to look at resting players for a Champions League last-16 tie. I’m genuinely serious about that.
‘Spurs too used to losing’
Tottenham have won fewest points of any Premier League side over the past 10 games
The club are being forced to take stock again. There will be discussions happening today. We talk about who to bring in, what is attractive about Spurs at the moment? This is a massive football club, best stadium, best training ground. But the problem over the past few years is that they have got used to losing.
The key difference now is that three teams were essentially already down by January last season; this year, clubs are fighting for their place. Spurs can’t keep relying on West Ham and Nottingham Forest to lose games.
The way I see it at the moment, I don’t see where Spurs’ next point is going to come from. That is a worry. What do you actually have? There are about 12 fit players; their faces are on the floor. It might look great on the outside, with this state-of-the-art stadium, but inside you’ve got a massive job.
Are club planning a change?
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Tottenham Hotspur head coach Igor Tudor says he believes more in his team after his side’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace than ever before
Tudor is scheduled to take Tottenham’s press conference on Monday night ahead of their Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital.
It suggests the club are not expected to make another change in the dugout, despite the significant fallout from defeat to Palace, with Tudor dismissing questions over his future and insisting the team are “going in the direction I want to go”.
Tottenham have nine games to save their season, next travelling to Anfield in the league to take on Liverpool, before a high-stakes meeting with Nottingham Forest on March 22, live on Sky Sports.
What would implications of relegation be?
Tottenham Hotspur being relegated would be one of the biggest stories in Premier League history. Rival clubs are foaming at the mouth at the idea.
It’s simply unthinkable that a club of Tottenham’s size slip into the Championship, but they’re heading that way after countless defeats.
Many regard Spurs as having the best stadium in the world. It generates on average £4.5m per match. Some Spurs players reportedly face up to 50 per cent wage cuts if they’re relegated but just how many would actually stay at the club?
They will have to rip up managerial targets. Does a new director of football come in? Season ticket pricing details have already been released. They will also have to be rethought.
There are a very small minority who think relegation would be a good thing as the club needs a reset and some at board level might deserve it but the truth is, they really don’t fully understand the scale of consequences.
Instant promotion would be far from a guarantee with so much upheaval in a short summer.
