Tottenham's squad are understood not to have relegation wage reduction clauses written into their contracts. Thomas Frank's team have found themselves embroiled in a battle to stay in the Premier League this campaign.
A damaging sequence of six league fixtures without victory has left Spurs languishing in 15th position and merely SIX points clear of 18th-placed West Ham, who occupy the final relegation berth. Whilst Wolves and Burnley appear stranded at the foot of the table, it seems several clubs - Tottenham among them - are scrapping to avoid a single place.
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Frank was reluctant to discuss relegation during Monday's press conference, yet the prospect of slipping into the Championship is a reality Spurs may need to confront should they suffer defeat against Newcastle United on Tuesday.
Should Tottenham drop down to the second tier, speculation has emerged regarding potential player wage cuts. However, The Telegraph reports that former employees who served during Daniel Levy's chairmanship have confirmed that wage reduction clauses were NOT included in contracts throughout their tenure at Spurs.
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Sources maintaining links with the club following Levy's departure suggest this practice continues, though the overall wage expenditure would naturally decrease with relegation and the absence of European competition, as performance-related bonuses would no longer apply.
Tottenham's relegation rivals, West Ham, have a 50 per cent reduction clause in player contracts if they face relegation. Leicester City, who endured Premier League relegation in 2023 and 2025, had the same provision.
If Spurs were to be relegated, having numerous players earning over £100,000 would pose a significant financial issue, jeopardising their Profit and Sustainability (PSR) position.
There have been previous concerns about Spurs facing Premier League relegation. Last season, under Ange Postecoglou's leadership, Tottenham finished 17th after a dismal top-flight campaign.
However, it was back in 1994 when Spurs secured survival by winning an away game against Oldham Athletic, avoiding top-flight relegation for the fifth time in the club's 164-year history.
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In a half an hour press conference ahead of Tuesday's match against Newcastle, Frank was questioned about relegation nine times. Despite this, he only mentioned 'relegation' once himself.
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"Every club should do whatever they can to perform every single game and do everything they can to end as high as possible," Frank stated on Monday. "I think if we were a little bit higher then you'd say, 'Is top four the end?' Now it's not as high, then, 'Is relegation the end?' For me, no matter what, I will only focus on the next game.
"At one stage we are hopefully in a better and higher position, and you will ask me about a position higher up in the league, and I'll say I'll focus on the next game. That will be my answer."