Tottenham have a contingency plan which would see players' wages slashed if they are relegated to the Championship
Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur reacts during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium of Light on April 12, 2026 in Sunderland, England.
Spurs are at real risk of relegation to the Championship(Image: George Wood, Getty Images)
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Tottenham players face a huge hit to their earnings if the club suffers relegation this season. It would have been inconceivable prior to this season that Spurs would find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle, even with their 17th-place finish last term due to an injury crisis.
But after two managerial sackings and 32 matches played, Tottenham sit 18th in the Premier League, two points adrift of safety. Even the recent arrival of Roberto De Zerbi has failed to spark a turnaround, as the Lilywhites suffered a 1-0 loss at Sunderland at the weekend, which saw them officially drop into the relegation zone for the first time.
With captain Cristian Romero limping off the pitch in tears, there is little to feel positive about for a side that hasn't claimed a single Premier League victory in 2026. Yet, there remains a powerful incentive for the players to dig deep in the final six games of the season - not just for their own pride, but for financial reasons too.
That's because Spurs chiefs have put in place strict financial contingency clauses that would see their squad of stars take a major hit to their wages should they be relegated to the Championship. If the unthinkable were to occur, players remaining at the club could see their weekly earnings cut by as much as 50 per cent, according to The Athletic.
For example, summer signing Xavi Simons and captain Romero would experience the most substantial wage reduction, with their reported current £195,000 deals dropping to £97,500 per week.
This 'relegation protection' clause is designed to ensure the financial books remain balanced. It is understood to be a significantly higher reduction than the standard industry average, which usually sees players lose around 20 to 30 per cent of their salary following a drop to the English second tier.
Players would have been made aware of such clauses linked to poor on-pitch results when joining the club or signing a new deal. The measure would also mean Spurs face less pressure to hastily offload players if they suffer relegation - but there is a genuine possibility several players would refuse such a dramatic reduction in their pay packet and may look for a transfer away.
Tottenham Hotspur's Dutch midfielder #07 Xavi Simons reacts after the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on March 18, 2026.
Xavi Simons will earn £100,000-per-week less in wages if Tottenham get relegated(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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