Tottenham's 2025: A trophy, turmoil and a horrible home record
It has been quite a year for all involved at Spurs... who knows what 2026 will bring them?
Tottenham Hotspur’s 2025 was historic — in all the right and wrong ways.
In May, their then head coach Ange Postecoglou ended the 17-year trophy drought in the Spanish city of Bilbao, as Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final through Brennan Johnson’s first-half goal.
Two weeks later, Postecoglou was dismissed. Having presided over Tottenham’s worst league season in the Premier League era — finishing 17th, above only the three relegated sides — chairman Daniel Levy called time on the Australian’s rollercoaster two-season spell in charge.
Levy then appointed long-serving Brentford head coach Thomas Frank, whose promising start to life in his new role across London has slowed significantly.
And that’s only scratching the surface.
On September 4, Levy was sacked as executive chairman, ending an almost 25-year period at the Tottenham helm.
Here, The Athletic reflects on Spurs’ whirlwind year.
Best moment
There is only one answer for this.
Finally, after taking much longer than expected… breaking the deadlock in extra time away to Tamworth of the fifth-tier National League before going on to win 3-0 in the FA Cup third rou…
Jokes aside, that night in Bilbao was the gratifying culmination of a journey that started in 2008 — incorporating eight managers, seven semi-finals and four finals in the story — and ended on May 21, 2025.
Within that, Son Heung-min lifting the trophy, below, on the pitch stands out, as does the trophy parade along Tottenham High Road the next day. But if it had to be limited to a single moment, it’s surely the sound of referee Felix Zwayer blowing the final whistle to confirm that victory in the Europa League final.
(Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Worst moment
There are many potential answers.
Postecoglou presided over his share of dismal results and performances, with the 1-0 defeat at Chelsea in April, where he “allegedly” cupped his ear towards the frustrated travelling supporters, probably the standout moment.
Naturally, many fans now reflect on the second half of last season through rose-tinted glasses, thanks to the Europa League success, and defeats like that one at Stamford Bridge can be placed in context.
Without the benefit of knowing how this season will play out, one of Frank’s trio of especially poor defeats against Chelsea, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest should get the nod.
With little to split the performances, Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence snubbing the manager’s attempts to keep the squad on the pitch to applaud the home supporters takes that 1-0 home loss to Chelsea a hair above the rest.
Best game
It was far from a classic footballing showcase, with neutrals bemoaning the lack of quality, but it could not possibly be anything other than the Europa League final.
From Johnson’s how-did-that-go-in? goal to Van de Ven’s how-on-earth-did-he-keep-that-out? goal-line clearance, Spurs ran, jumped, slid and hurled themselves into the ground (and air), doing everything to ensure they left Spain with the trophy.
(Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Best player
Whether it is down to injuries or inconsistency, Tottenham have lacked a standout player in 2025.
If consistency and availability are the barometer, it probably makes sense to hand this award to Pedro Porro. On the other hand, Lucas Bergvall is arguably the only player to have noticeably improved across the year, compared to his limited outings in 2024. Unfortunately, he has not featured enough.
So, for that heroic clearance in the final, his work as part of the defensive unit in Spurs’ knockout-phase run, and his performances this season, improving as a goal threat and increasing in stature as a leader, Van de Ven is the winner. And who could forget that Champions League goal against FC Copenhagen?
OH MY WORD MICKY VAN DE VEN 🤯
Incredible goal by the Spurs centre half, as he runs the full length of the pitch before a fantastic finish past Kotarsi – INCREDIBLE GOAL!
Watch live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/txG6v8s8jH
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 4, 2025
And for U.S. readers:
Micky van de Ven runs the length of the pitch with a sensational solo run and goal that leaves Copenhagen’s defenders in the dust! 🤯💨 pic.twitter.com/NASPHGlhiA
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 4, 2025
The stat that sums up 2025
Of the 17 clubs to have spent the entirety of 2025 in the Premier League, only West Ham (33) and Wolves (28) have recorded fewer points than Tottenham’s 39.
That is largely down to their home form. They have won four of 18 top-flight matches on their own pitch in 2025. For a club with aspirations of finishing in a European position (let alone a Champions League one), their domestic record at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is abysmal.
But, in keeping with that Europa League triumph, their home form in European competition has been excellent. Remarkably, Spurs went unbeaten at home in Europe this year, only failing to win once in seven matches — the 1-1 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League quarter-final’s first leg.
Favourite quote
“Let’s say I’m a legend” — Spurs captain Son, in a post-match interview with UK broadcaster TNT Sports after the Europa League final.
The most surprising thing that happened
Levy’s sacking was arguably the most surprising thing in the whole of English football in 2025, let alone just at Spurs.
As chairman, Levy oversaw the planning and construction of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the physical manifestation of his efforts to turn the club into commercial giants.
He also led Spurs through successful and tumultuous periods on the pitch, coming closer to lifting the Premier League trophy than ever before, while ending his final full season in charge with the club in the doldrums of 17th.
A mixed legacy, to say the least.
Which Tottenham players will do best at the World Cup?
Tottenham should be well represented at the World Cup next June and July.
Van de Ven and Xavi Simons will be hoping to play important roles for the Netherlands, who are fancied to go deep in the tournament following their journey to the semi-finals at the 2024 European Championship. Pape Matar Sarr may have his immediate thoughts focused solely on the Africa Cup of Nations, but he will likely be a starter for Senegal next summer, too.
But the obvious answer is Cristian Romero, who is aiming to win a fourth consecutive international tournament with Argentina after the World Cup in 2022 and Copa America successes in 2021 and 2024.
Player to watch in 2026
Archie Gray has emerged as a key starter in recent weeks, the 19-year-old appearing to nail down a consistent spot alongside Rodrigo Bentancur or Joao Palhinha in midfield. That run culminated in Gray scoring his first goal for the club in Sunday’s 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.
Archie Gray celebrates with his Spurs teammates after scoring his first goal for the club against Crystal Palace on Sunday (Glyn Kirk/Getty Images)
Tottenham are expected to strengthen before the imminent winter transfer window closes on February 2, and midfield may be one of the areas they target to help Frank achieve his ambitions. But Gray’s attacking intent adds another dimension to the team, and he appears central to their success in the short term, and, hopefully, throughout 2026 and beyond.
A wish for 2026
More wins. Please.