This season’s top five Premier League underachievers

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou. Sports Press Photo

In the early stages of Ange Postecoglou’s tenure, Spurs fans were optimistic as the Aussie tactician imposed his swashbuckling playing philosophy on a team lacking energy and creativity. After winning eight of his opening 10 Premier League fixtures and guiding the Lilywhites to a respectable fifth-place finish in his first season in the English capital, Postecoglou has found it much tougher this term. 

Remarkably, Tottenham currently sits in 16th position and would likely have been involved in a relegation scrap had it not been for the incompetence of the league’s bottom three sides. Despite only scoring one less than fierce rival Arsenal (who looks set to finish as runner-up for a third consecutive season), Spurs have lost an eye-watering 19 matches this season.

Nevertheless, the North Londoners have been a different animal in Europe. After accumulating an impressive 17 points during the UEFA Europa League group phase, Spurs successfully navigated past AZ Alkmaar and Eintracht Frankfurt to set up a semi-final meeting with Norwegian champion Bodø/Glimt.

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. PA Images/Alamy Images

Although Manchester United has suffered a consecutive string of underwhelming seasons, the 2024-25 campaign may well be the nadir of its recent struggles. Having sacked Erik ten Hag following a dismal defeat at West Ham’s London Stadium, the Red Devils secured the services of Ruben Amorim. However, things have arguably worsened under the highly-rated Portuguese coach, who has lost 11 Premier League matches since arriving at Old Trafford.

Much like fellow underachievers Spurs, Amorim’s men have sought comfort in Europe. After drawing each of their opening three UEFA Europa League ties, United has delivered a series of positive displays en route to the semi-final stages of the competition.

West Ham United

West Ham United manager Graham Potter. PA Images/Alamy Images

Currently languishing just one place above the relegation zone, West Ham has experienced a torrid 2024-25 campaign. After acquiring its first European crown for over half a century in 2023 and securing a top-10 finish last term, spirits were high at the London Stadium. However, form has dipped severely since David Moyes' departure, with Julen Lopetegui and now Graham Potter failing to deliver.

Just 24 hours after the Hammers’ installment of Potter as head coach, any faint hope of silverware was extinguished following a disappointing FA Cup third-round defeat to Premier League rival Aston Villa.

Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. News Images

Arguably, the most surprising narrative of the 2024-25 campaign has been the demise of Manchester City, who has been a distant shadow of its usual self in recent months. After winning four consecutive titles, the Citizens are currently immersed in a titanic battle for UEFA Champions League qualification. Pep Guardiola’s men have particularly struggled on the road, having triumphed in just seven of their 17 Premier League away fixtures so far.

For the first time since the 2016-17 campaign, the Eastlands-based outfit failed to progress to the quarter-final stages of the UEFA Champions League. After scraping through to the knockout rounds, City was unceremoniously dumped out of the competition by defending champion Real Madrid.

Leicester City

Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy. PA Images/Alamy Images

Although the odds are stacked against any promoted side to remain in the top tier, few would have expected Leicester City to have performed so badly on its return to the Premier League. Having surged to the Championship title last season by amassing a colossal 97 points, the Foxes would have been cautiously optimistic heading into the 2024-25 campaign. However, they would find themselves relegated by mid-April.

Leicester’s profligacy in attacking areas was the main cause of its downfall, having netted only two goals more than Southampton, who now seems destined to narrowly beat Derby County’s record-low Premier League points haul, ahead of the last four weekends of the season.