Tottenham Hotspur have spent the last two seasons flirting dangerously with relegation, but history suggests that surviving a nightmare campaign does not always rule out future success.
The last two Premier League seasons have been everything Tottenham fans would have feared.
A 17th-place finish in back-to-back campaigns has never happened in Spurs’ history.
However, for the first time in close to 50 years, Tottenham stared relegation in the face and, at one stage last season, it genuinely looked as though Spurs were heading straight into the abyss.
After a winless start to 2026 across the first four months, the writing appeared to be on the wall.
It felt as though all the times Spurs had ridden their luck, along with the poor decisions made on and off the pitch, were finally catching up with them.
Then came Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian brought stability, belief and, ultimately, safety. Spurs, once on the brink of despair, were finally handed some relief.
Not celebration, nor elation – just relief. Every Tottenham fan will simply be glad that Spurs once again finished on the right side of those dreaded dotted lines, even if it came at the expense of London rivals West Ham United.
Now it is time to reset, rebuild and go again. After finishing on 41 points with a -9 goal difference, however, history suggests there could yet be brighter days ahead.
Tottenham can learn from Leicester City title miracle
A decade ago, Leicester City found themselves in a remarkably similar position to Tottenham last season.
During the 2014/15 Premier League campaign, the Foxes finished 14th and were not far clear of the relegation places.
Just six points separated Leicester from 18th-placed Hull City, while only three points stood between 16th place and the relegation zone in what was an incredibly tight battle for survival.
Leicester may have finished comfortably enough in the end, but they accumulated the same number of points as Spurs managed last season. The Foxes finished the campaign on 41 points with a -9 goal difference after 38 matches.
That also highlights how competitive the Premier League has now become, with Tottenham nearly losing their top-flight status despite reaching the 40-point mark.
What happened the following season, however, is where things become especially interesting for Spurs supporters.
Spurs must believe another rise is possible
Leicester, the 14th-best side in the league during 2014/15, went on to do the unthinkable by winning their first-ever Premier League title the following season.
Nobody who watched the Foxes struggle the year before would have realistically predicted a title charge, let alone a championship-winning campaign.
Twenty-three wins, 12 draws and just three defeats saw Leicester finish on 81 points, 10 clear of second-placed Arsenal.
Spurs can certainly draw inspiration from that. Yes, the last two seasons have been dreadful, but Leicester’s rise from the Championship to relegation survivors and then Premier League champions is exactly the sort of mentality Tottenham must adopt.
They have to believe they can go all the way. More importantly, they now have a manager with pedigree. Roberto De Zerbi guided Brighton to a sixth-place finish in his first season, so who is to say he cannot go five places better with Tottenham?
Spurs must still strengthen the squad. Adding genuine quality will only improve their chances of competing again.
The Premier League also feels more open than it has in years. Pep Guardiola has gone, along with the era dominated by several elite managers.
Chelsea have Xabi Alonso, Manchester United have Michael Carrick, Arsenal still have Mikel Arteta, Manchester City could turn to Enzo Maresca, while Liverpool are led by Andoni Iraola.
Most of those managers, alongside De Zerbi, operate at a similar level and, if Tottenham play their cards right, they could yet go from nearly being relegated to becoming champions of England.
The hope, of course, is that Spurs do not follow Leicester’s entire trajectory and eventually end up in League One. Still, without European football next season, there is every chance Tottenham will enjoy a far smoother ride.