Tottenham’s battle for relegation last season not only got their supporters and the club extremely worried, but also had the same effect on many of the club’s former players.
Even during their dark days back in the 1990s, Tottenham never came as close to relegation as they did last season.
Given how Spurs have evolved as a club on and off the pitch into one of the biggest institutions in Europe across the last two decades, relegation from the top-flight was almost unimaginable.
And yet, the Lilywhites were 90 minutes away from going down for the first time in nearly half a century, and that seemingly left many of the club’s heroes of yesteryear very concerned.
Ledley King admits former Tottenham players wanted to help during relegation battle
King explained that many Spurs legends were left very concerned during the final few league games of the season, and admitted that they felt the team’s struggles were down to a lack of spirit rather than tactics.
The 45-year-old shared that the likes of himself, Ossie Ardiles, Gary Mabbutt, Robbie Keane and Michael Dawson were ready to talk to the Tottenham squad to let them know what it means to play for the football club.
King told OLGB about the club’s relegation battle: “That was worrying. A lot of the ex-players were concerned. A lot of us had chats between us. We’re talking about Ossie, Glenn, Gary Mabbutt, then some of the younger lot Dawson, Robbie Keane, Defoe.” “We’re all just kind of thinking, is there anything we can do? Is there any way that we can come together?
“Because we didn’t feel it was anything particularly tactical at this point. They needed to feel the spirit and they needed to know how much it means to play for the football club.” So there was a lot of chats behind the scene just trying to figure out how we can help, if we can help. But luckily we got in a top, top manager and he was able to do it for us.”
Xavi Simons believes the relegation battle has made Spurs stronger
Xavi Simons has admitted that Tottenham experienced the worst-possible scenario last season, but believes that the experience could have a silver lining.
The Dutchman admitted that he and his teammates are now extremely motivated to take the club back up to where they belong in the upcoming season.
Xavi has also boldly declared his intention to win trophies at Spurs, and the 22-year-old is confident that the team can achieve that goal.