Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Hoddle: Tottenham Can Bounce Back Like United and Newcastle If They Act Now

May 24, 2026
Hoddle: Tottenham Can Bounce Back Like United and Newcastle If They Act Now
Hoddle: Tottenham Can Bounce Back Like United and Newcastle If They Act Now

Glenn Hoddle has expressed cautious optimism about Tottenham's prospects, comparing their potential recovery to the recent resurgences enjoyed by Manchester United and Newcastle United.

The Spurs legend's comments come as the north London club faces a desperate fight for survival. After finishing 17th last season, Tottenham have endured a catastrophic campaign both on and off the pitch. Roberto De Zerbi is their third managerial appointment of the year, and relegation remains a genuine possibility heading into the final day.

Tottenham require just a single point against Everton at home to secure their top-flight status. However, defeat combined with West Ham's victory over Leeds would seal their drop to the Championship.

Hoddle has stressed that survival alone won't be sufficient—fundamental restructuring is essential. He pointed to the European success of recent years as having masked deeper problems within the organisation that demanded urgent attention.

"The system simply isn't functioning," Hoddle explained. "If this were a typical business, you'd strip everything back and rebuild from scratch. The board and ownership need to treat this as a football institution first, not merely a commercial asset generating income."

The former England manager believes the club possesses all the necessary building blocks for a swift turnaround. Their training facilities, stadium, and infrastructure remain world-class—what's required is smarter recruitment and decisive leadership.

Hoddle highlighted contrasting timelines for recovery. Arsenal's rebuild took seven or eight years, whereas Manchester United demonstrated dramatic improvement within a single season. Newcastle's transformation under Eddie Howe proved equally striking—they climbed from the relegation zone to Champions League qualification and silverware in rapid fashion.

"The talent exists out there," Hoddle said. "You don't necessarily need to break the bank. The key is identifying quality players across Europe and domestically, then making intelligent signings. Football can surprise you—sometimes it takes years, sometimes it happens overnight."

The critical moment, Hoddle suggested, comes from above the playing and coaching staff. The proximity to catastrophe could serve as the catalyst for genuine change at boardroom level.

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