EPL: Relegation-threatened Spurs to hire psychologist to boost performance

Tottenham Hotspur are planning to appoint a lead performance psychologist for their men’s first team as the club attempts to address a worsening crisis in form and confidence.

As reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday, Spurs have gone 15 Premier League games without a win and currently sit in the relegation zone, two points from safety with five matches remaining.

Their struggles have extended into 2026, with no league victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since early December.

New head coach Roberto de Zerbi, appointed in late March as the club’s third manager of the season, has managed just one point from his opening two matches.

The Italian has openly stated that the squad requires a “change in mentality” as part of any turnaround in results.

In response, Tottenham Hotspur have advertised for an “outstanding performance psychologist” to work with the men’s first team. According to the job description, the role will involve delivering evidence-based psychological support to elite players, working across coaching and performance staff, and helping to build a psychologically informed performance culture within the squad.

The club is also recruiting for a sport psychologist within its women’s team setup, signalling a wider investment in mental performance infrastructure.

Recent comments from within the squad highlight the scale of the issue. Defender Micky van de Ven described the situation as “mentally tough,” admitting players have been “suffering” during the ongoing slump.

With relegation looming and form showing little sign of improvement, Spurs are now combining managerial change with specialist psychological support in an effort to salvage their season.

Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.

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