When were Tottenham last relegated and what happened after?

Tottenham are reeling at 16th in the ongoing EPL season.

Things have been looking gloomy at Hotspur Way in the ongoing 2025/26 EPL season. The arrival of Igor Tudor has done little help for the team, as the Croat remains winless in 3 games. Reeling at 16th, just one point above the drop-zone, relegation fears have been looming large. That said, here is a deep-dive into when Tottenham were last relegated and what happened immediately after.

Tottenham were last relegated in the 1976-77 season, finishing bottom of the First Division in 22nd place with just 33 points from 42 games. They lost 21 matches overall and had the worst defensive record that season by a considerable distance, conceding 72 goals.

Managed by Keith Burkinshaw, Spurs actually boasted a formidable squad despite the relegation. Pat Jennings was in goal, Glenn Hoddle pulled the strings in midfield, and Gerry Armstrong was a rising star in attack. Steve Perryman, who would go on to become Tottenham’s all-time record appearance-maker with 655 league appearances, was also in the group, as were the likes of John Pratt, who had won a UEFA Cup with the club in 1972.

What happened after Tottenham got relegated?

Despite the severe disappointment of relegation in 1977, Burkinshaw remained at the helm and the north London club bounced back immediately. Tottenham returned to the First Division for the 1978-79 campaign as Second Division champions, winning promotion at the first attempt.

The club then enjoyed tremendous success in the years following their return to the top flight. In 1981, Spurs won the FA Cup for the sixth time, beating Manchester City in a replay. Just three years later in 1984, Tottenham won the UEFA Cup for the second time in their history, beating Anderlecht on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate draw.