The Tottenham Hotspur relegation battle is one of the most talked-about conversations in the world of football right now, as the UEFA Europa League holders are on the brink of relegation after 49 years.
Their form this season can be described as their worst since the 1976/77 campaign, when they were last relegated, and all eyes are now on Spurs with only a few games left.
However, Spurs are not the only top club battling relegation across Europe, despite dominating most of the headlines. Several elite clubs across Europe’s top five leagues are also on the brink of a historic drop.
With the Tottenham Hotspur relegation battle a big topic, we will also look at other struggling top clubs in Europe facing the same risk.
Tottenham Hotspur Relegation Battle: How Did It Get This Bad?
The Tottenham Hotspur relegation battle did not just emerge out of nowhere but is the result of inconsistent performances throughout the season.
The North London side had a decent start under Thomas Frank, suffering just one defeat in their opening seven league matches. However, things quickly unravelled due to poor tactical structure, ineffective pressing, and weak defensive coordination, which ultimately led to the Danish manager’s dismissal in February 2026, with the team sitting 16th.
Igor Tudor was appointed with the sole aim of steering the club away from danger, but to many people’s surprise, the Tottenham Hotspur relegation battle intensified.
The Croatian manager failed to win any of his first five league matches, conceding 13 goals in the process, leaving the club in 17th place by March 29.
Roberto De Zerbi was then brought in with seven games remaining in the season, tasked with saving the UEFA Europa League holders from an embarrassing relegation.
However, his tenure began with a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, dropping Spurs into 18th place and into the relegation zone.
The constant tactical shifts, from Frank’s structured approach to Tudor’s aggressive man-marking system and now De Zerbi’s possession-based style, have left players struggling to adapt. This has resulted in poor pressing coordination, a disjointed defensive shape, and a visible loss of confidence.
Injuries have also played a major role in their inconsistency. Key players such as Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, and Wilson Odobert have all spent time on the sidelines, weakening both defence and attack.
With their last league win dating back to December 28, 2025, Spurs’ free fall is one for the history books. However, other struggling top clubs across Europe are dealing with similar issues and facing the same relegation threat.
Sevilla FC: From European Specialists To Relegation Candidates
Sevilla have dropped from their reputation as European specialists to regular relegation contenders, placing them firmly among the struggling top clubs in Europe.
After finishing 17th last season, surviving by just one point, they have continued in the same worrying trend this campaign. Currently sitting 16th, they are only two points above the relegation zone with seven matches left to play.
They began the season under Matias Almeyda but endured a difficult run, collecting 31 points from 29 matches and leaving the club hovering just above danger. A poor stretch of one win in eight games, capped by a 2-0 home defeat to Valencia, ultimately led to his dismissal on March 23, 2026.
Sevilla’s struggles under Almeyda were defined by defensive frailties and inconsistent attacking output, conceding 48 goals while scoring just 38 in 29 league matches.
Luis Garcia Plaza was appointed on March 24, 2026, with hopes of sparking a turnaround. While his first match ended in a 1-0 defeat to Real Oviedo, a statement 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid has provided some relief. It remains to be seen whether they can build on that momentum.
VfL Wolfsburg: A Bundesliga Giant Slipping Into Trouble
The 2008/09 Bundesliga champions are enduring one of their worst seasons in recent history, making them one of the struggling top clubs in Europe.
After finishing 12th in the 2023/24 and 11th in 2024/25 seasons, this campaign has taken a dramatic downturn and could end in relegation.
They started the season under Paul Simonis, who was dismissed in November 2025 after managing just two wins in 10 games. Daniel Bauer took over but was also sacked in March 2026 following nine defeats in 15 matches, including heavy losses such as an 8-1 defeat to Bayern Munich and a 4-0 loss to Stuttgart.
Dieter Hecking was then appointed on March 8, 2026, to rescue the team, but early results have been disappointing. A 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim and defeats to Werder Bremen, Bayer Leverkusen, and Eintracht Frankfurt have left the club deep in trouble.
Currently sitting 17th after Matchday 29, Wolfsburg have dropped a league-high 31 points from winning positions and conceded 65 goals, which is the most in the Bundesliga.
OGC Nice: A Sudden Collapse In Ligue 1?
Nice’s sudden collapse in Ligue 1 has been one of the most shocking developments of the 2025/26 season, placing them among the struggling top clubs in Europe.
After finishing fourth last season and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, they now find themselves in 15th place, just four points above the relegation zone after Matchday 29.
They have managed only one win in their last eight league matches, with three defeats in their last five, including a heavy 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
Defensive instability has been a major issue, with the team conceding 56 goals so far. Their midfield struggles have made it easier for opponents to transition quickly, while inconsistent pressing and poor build-up play have disrupted their overall structure.
What once looked like a promising campaign has now turned into a battle for survival, especially with poor results against mid and lower-table sides.
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What’s Going Wrong? The Common Problem Across Europe’s Elite
The Tottenham Hotspur relegation battle and the struggles of other top clubs across Europe prove that no club is too big to go down, and the 2025/26 season is challenging that long-standing belief.
These teams did not fall into relegation trouble by chance but due to several recurring issues throughout the season.
Frequent managerial changes have disrupted tactical identity, leading to disjointed structures, poor pressing coordination, and players struggling to adapt to different systems.
Injuries have also played a significant role, forcing makeshift lineups and reducing cohesion, which has contributed to defensive vulnerabilities and inconsistent attacking output.
Poor recruitment and squad imbalance remain another key factor. The sale of key players without adequate replacements, along with bloated or poorly structured squads lacking leadership, has further weakened these teams.
Defensive flaws, particularly from set-pieces and transitions, have also been a major concern, with many of these clubs ranking among the worst in goals conceded in their respective leagues.
Who Is Most At Risk Of A Historic Collapse?
The struggling top clubs across Europe facing relegation threats all risk going down if their performances do not improve immediately.
However, with fewer than 10 games remaining across the major European leagues, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolfsburg appear to be in the most danger. Both clubs are currently in relegation positions, and unless there is a dramatic turnaround, we could witness a truly historic collapse.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto
Recording Date: 12.04.2026
