Tottenham’s failed European bid: The good, the bad and the ugly
By Gary Pearson
Tottenham failed to qualify for Europe for the first time since 2008-09, finishing in eighth, coincidentally the same league position as that fateful campaign.
While the 2022-23 campaign was chockfull of tumult, agitation, and subpar performances, Tottenham’s run of 14 straight seasons in European competition is a testament to the club’s consistency among the upper echelon of Premier League combatants.
Most people will remember Tottenham’s collapse in the final couple of months of the season, which Antonio Conte spearheaded with his unforgettable public tirade that condemned players and the ownership.
It was a season most will be elated to see the back of. Tottenham’s 4-1 away victory at Leeds on Sunday was the side’s first away triumph in the Premier League since beating Fulham 1-0 on January 23 at Craven Cottage.
Sufficed it to say, I’m also thankful we can start looking forward to the 2023-24 campaign.
Unfortunately, this off-season feels eerily similar to 2021, when Tottenham took 72 days to hire Nuno Espirito Santo.
Weeks before that desperation hire, Fabio Paratici was brought on board as Tottenham’s director of football. Both central positions are vacant once more, and Harry Kane’s future at the club is uncertain yet again.
Let’s look at the good, bad, and ugly of missing out on Europe for the first time in 14 years, one year less than our last trophy success.