When a football club advertises for a performance psychologist midway through the season, it often attracts criticism and scepticism. Tottenham Hotspur did just that this week, with many quick to make jokes at their expense.
However, while the move may appear desperate from the outside, it is not as unreasonable as it might seem. The key question is whether it will be enough to make a difference.
Spurs are now seeking a psychologist to help create what they call a “psychologically informed performance culture” at Hotspur Way — a term more commonly used in corporate settings.
Stripping away the jargon, the reasoning is sound. Tottenham have failed to win in each of their last five Premier League games after taking the lead. This is not a technical issue, but a psychological one.
Spurs have not won a league game in 2026, collecting just six points from their last 15 matches — a run that Roberto De Zerbi, their fourth manager in 12 months, has so far been unable to halt.
A 95th-minute equaliser from Brighton denied them what would have been their first victory under the Italian, leaving them stuck in the relegation zone. The wounds are not just physical.
So, bringing in a psychologist is a logical step. Elite sport is as much a mental battle as it is a physical one, and there is no shame in recognising that. The real blame lies in years of dysfunction, mismanagement and questionable recruitment, which have left one of England’s biggest clubs on the brink of Championship football.
Opta now gives Spurs a 57% chance of relegation. No amount of counselling can alter the fixture list, the league table, or the fact that time is running out on a season that may already be beyond saving.
The psychologist may help players deal with what lies ahead, but whether they can prevent the inevitable is another matter entirely.