What happens if Tottenham win the Champions League but get relegated explained

Tottenham Hotspur sit just one point clear of the relegation places in the Premier League but have been far more consistent in Europe this season

As Tottenham Hotspur fans deal with the very real threat of relegation, the London side occupy an unlikely position. They might be just one point clear of the bottom three, but they are also into the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Spurs finished fourth in the league phase of the European competition to march straight into the round of 16. Remarkably, they boasted the exact same record in last season’s Europa League – fourth spot with five wins, two draws and a defeat – before going on to win that competition.

Last season’s run came at the expense of Spurs’ league form, though they never found themselves in as much danger as they do this term, thanks in large part to three teams failing to breach 30 points in the Premier League.

This term, though, West Ham in 18th and Nottingham Forest in 17th each have 28 points from 29 games, with Spurs themselves on 29. If the unthinkable happens and Spurs slip down to the Championship, though, it wouldn’t stop them playing in Europe next season.

If they win the continent’s top prize, which qualifies them to defend their crown next season, and finish 18th domestically, they would not be stopped from playing Champions League and Championship football in the same campaign. No team has ever played in both simultaneously.

READ MORE: Tottenham legend ready to return and work with club icon in Igor Tudor replacement planREAD MORE: 5 managers that could replace Igor Tudor now if Tottenham sack struggling boss

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football’s Facebook page

But it’s a different story with other European competitions. Most recently, Wigan Athletic won the 2012/13 FA Cup but were relegated in the same season, leaving new manager Owen Coyle contending with a Europa League group stage campaign on top of what would end up being an unsuccessful promotion push.

They aren’t the only ones, either. Birmingham City also had a Europa League campaign after combining their League Cup win with relegation in 2011, while Ipswich Town qualified for the UEFA Cup through the fair play rankings in 2002 despite failing to cling onto Premier League survival, reaching the second round.

While they wouldn’t be banned, and a Champions League trophy would significantly soften the blow of going down, it would put Spurs in the unenviable position of balancing the expanded European format with the notoriously tricky 46-game league campaign.

Their next Premier League match comes against Liverpool, while relegation rivals Forest and West Ham face Fulham and Manchester City respectively. Before then, though, Tudor’s team travel to Atletico Madrid’s Estadio Metropolitano for the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie.

They’ve already played Spanish opposition once this season, in their European opener. On that occasion, an own goal from Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior was enough to give Spurs all three points.

Atletico were forced to come through a play-off tie with Club Brugge. After a 3-3 draw away from home, they triumphed 4-1 on home turf to progress. But it’s Spurs who will have the advantage of hosting the second leg this time, although how strong an advantage that is in their current predicament could be questioned.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Watch the Champions League on TNT Sports

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£30.99

TNT Sports

Get TNT Sports here

The UEFA Champions League is back on TNT Sports and fans can catch all the action on the TNT Sports Prime Video channel. A monthly subscription also includes select Premier League and FA Cup fixtures.