Chris Waddle has delivered a blunt assessment of Tottenham Hotspur’s current situation, as scrutiny around the club continues to grow during a difficult campaign.
Tottenham Hotspur seem to have lost their way of late, looking a shadow of the side from a few years back – a team that once played in a Champions League final, competed for Premier League titles and made appearances in domestic semi-finals and finals.
Fast forward seven years from that final in Madrid, and Spurs have taken several steps backwards instead of building on that momentum.
Now Tottenham run the risk of getting relegated and losing their top-flight status, something they have held onto for close to half a century.
Tottenham criticised by Chris Waddle over club direction
Their latest defeat to Atletico Madrid was a painful watch, with Spurs well beaten before the 20th-minute mark.
It served as another reminder of where the Lilywhites currently stand on the pitch, as they simply cannot compete with the best sides in Europe.
However, while they struggle on the pitch, Spurs remain one of the best-run clubs financially and are ranked among the nine richest football clubs.
Speaking to the BBC, former Tottenham winger Chris Waddle shared his thoughts on the current state of the club.
The former Spurs man believes that Tottenham’s struggles on the pitch are tied to too much focus on the business side of things.
He said: “Tottenham Hotspur has become a business. They have a new stadium, one of the best in the world and it is now a business. The football has become second to that.
“You need someone who has a football mindset and wants to make Tottenham Hotspur a great club. They have the money to make this club massive.
“Until the business takes a back seat, people will always be chirping.”
How Spurs’ on-pitch struggles are set to affect their finances
Many supporters will agree with Waddle’s assessment of the current state of Tottenham. However, the reality is that both aspects of the business cannot really be separated if Spurs are to continue taking financial strides.
It has already been reported that Tottenham are set to lose millions in the summer, with one sponsor expected to discontinue its deal with the Lilywhites.
Footballing reasons have been cited as the cause, while other sponsors are also considering their contracts with Spurs.
Further financial damage could follow should they drop into the Championship, which could reduce the income the club generates by as much as £250m. At this point, Tottenham are on course to lose it all.