Tottenham aim to sustain WSL success beyond fifth-place finish in 2026

Tottenham finished fifth in the 2026 WSL season with a club-record 33 points, their best-ever campaign, but must avoid the fate of previous fifth-place teams.

Spurs set new club milestone Tottenham have delivered their most successful Women’s Super League season to date, securing a club-record 33 points and currently sitting fifth with one fixture remaining. The side will finish as the top team outside the traditional top four, a status often followed by a decline in performance the following year. Manager Martin Ho, however, is determined to defy that trend and has set ambitious targets for the club’s future. He emphasized the long-term vision by stating, 'We want this club to be recognised as not just one of the best in the UK, but in Europe.' ## Key drivers behind the strong season Following a disappointing previous campaign where they finished second from bottom, Tottenham underwent significant changes under Ho, who replaced Robert Vilahamn. Ho arrived from Norwegian side SK Brann, where he guided the team to the Champions League quarter-finals in 2024. His impact was immediate, as Spurs won four of their first five matches, with the only loss coming against champions Manchester City. Strong performances against Arsenal and Manchester United kept them level on points with Arsenal in third place at the start of 2026. Key improvements included a more aggressive pressing approach, enhanced creativity in possession, and a more organized defensive structure, alongside strategic recruitment decisions. These changes earned Ho a new long-term contract in March, despite a recent dip in form. ## Reflecting on progress and challenges Ho described the season as positive overall, highlighting both on-field progress and off-field developments. 'It's been positive in numerous aspects, on and off the pitch. There has been a lot of learnings and development. It's given us really strong foundations to build on in the future. I'm really pleased with how it's gone.' Despite the achievements, he stressed that fifth place does not equate to success, adding, 'We want to win, compete and lift trophies.' Tottenham could finish within four points of Manchester United if they secure a win over Brighton on Saturday. The team endured three consecutive WSL defeats in March and an FA Cup quarter-final exit to Chelsea last month, but Ho remains optimistic about the side's resilience. ## Future ambitions and team evolution Tottenham’s fifth-place finish in 2026 follows a pattern seen across the league, where teams often struggle to maintain or improve their position the following season. Ho acknowledged the challenge, noting, 'I don't think there is anyone who has gone back-to-back in fifth place or gone higher the following season.' The manager stressed the need to move beyond fifth place, stating, 'We don't want to be satisfied with fifth. It's progress and we have taken steps, but we have also had luck. There are lots of parts we can take forward and other parts we can be better at.' He also highlighted the increased pressure from investment and emphasized the need for long-term sustainability in both domestic and European competitions. ## Squad improvements and transfer activity Strengthening the squad’s depth is a top priority for Tottenham this summer, and Ho confirmed that most transfer business has already been completed. 'Numerous signings have been made and it will give us more depth and drop the average age of the group. It will also add experience,' he explained. Ho expressed excitement about the future, saying, 'I'm excited for the summer, the future and what we can do with the players next season.' Areas for further improvement include spreading goals across the team and addressing defensive weaknesses. The manager also emphasized the importance of evolving the team’s mentality and strengthening the club’s internal organization to better support the players. ## Historical context and consistency concerns Tottenham’s fifth-place finish in 2026 marks a stark contrast to their previous season, where they ended in ninth place after a strong FA Cup run in 2024. This pattern mirrors other clubs, such as Liverpool, who dropped from fourth to seventh last year, and Aston Villa, who fell from fifth to seventh in 2024. Ho recognized the difficulty in maintaining or improving position, stating, 'That's a key part. We're in this position for a reason and we need to embrace that pressure.' He outlined the need for significant progress, adding, 'I just hope players understand that if we want to be a top team that is sustainable in domestic and European competitions, we have to go seven levels up from now.'