Ange must axe out £53k/w Spurs flop who was unstoppable under Mourinho
2019 stands as a landmark year in Tottenham Hotspur’s history—a season of immense highs and unexpected lows. It was the year the club reached its first Champions League final, a pinnacle in the team’s recent history.
However, this same year also marked the end of Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure as manager. Despite turning players like Dele Alli and Harry Kane into stars, Pochettino left North London without winning a single trophy.
In response to this trophy drought, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy turned to one of the most decorated managers of modern football: José Mourinho.
A multiple Premier League and FA Cup winner, as well as a two-time Champions League champion, Mourinho arrived with a reputation that suggested he could deliver the long-coveted silverware.
Yet, his time at Spurs ended in disappointment, lasting just 86 games with a points-per-match record of 1.77—the third-lowest of his career. This statistic alone encapsulated his turbulent tenure.
When Mourinho arrived in November 2019, he had to wait until the January transfer window to shape the squad with his signings. His first two additions, Giovani Lo Celso and Steven Bergwijn, failed to live up to expectations and left the club in 2023 after limited contributions. However, the summer of 2020 provided a glimmer of hope as Mourinho turned to his old club, Real Madrid, for reinforcements.
Gareth Bale returned to Tottenham on loan, rekindling memories of his brilliance during his first stint in the Premier League. Alongside Bale, left-back Sergio Reguilón also joined Spurs.
Reguilón began brightly, with moments of brilliance, including a standout assist for Bale in a win against Brighton. However, despite his promising start, Reguilón’s career trajectory soon spiraled downward.
Reguilón’s Decline at Tottenham
Reguilón’s early impact during the 2020/21 season was evident as he provided five assists across all competitions. His stats showed promise, particularly in his first two seasons:
| Season | Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 | 27 | 0 | 3 |
| 2021/22 | 31 | 2 | 3 |
| 2022/23 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023/24 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024/25 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
(Source: Transfermarkt)
During the 2021/22 season, Reguilón contributed two goals and three assists but fell out of favor under Antonio Conte. Conte’s no-nonsense approach saw Reguilón shipped out on loan to Atlético Madrid, followed by stints at Manchester United and Brentford.
Although he played regularly at Brentford, he failed to make a lasting impression. His loan to Manchester United, meanwhile, was born out of necessity due to their injury crisis rather than a genuine desire to add him to their ranks.
By the time Ange Postecoglou took over at Tottenham, Reguilón was no longer part of the club’s plans. Despite earning £53,000 per week, he has not featured at all during the 2024/25 season.
His omission from Tottenham’s Europa League squad underscores his status as a peripheral figure. While he remains listed in the 25-man Premier League squad, he has yet to make a single appearance.
Reguilón’s Current Status
The Spaniard’s decline from a promising left-back under Mourinho to a forgotten figure on Tottenham’s roster has been stark. Once considered “unstoppable” by analysts during his debut season, Reguilón is now seen as surplus to requirements. For Tottenham, the only silver lining is that his contract expires next summer, allowing the club to part ways without further complications.
Reguilón’s trajectory highlights the challenges of maintaining consistency at the highest level. His bright start faded as he struggled to adapt to the demands of successive managers and systems. Loans to Atlético Madrid, Manchester United, and Brentford provided temporary lifelines but failed to reignite his career.
The Road Ahead
For Tottenham, Reguilón’s departure in the upcoming January transfer window appears inevitable. Moving him on will not only free up wages but also allow the club to focus on players better suited to Postecoglou’s system. As for Reguilón, he must find a club willing to invest in his rehabilitation as a top-tier player. A fresh start, possibly outside the Premier League, might be his best chance to revive his career.
Reguilón’s story serves as a reminder of the fine margins in football. From being an asset during Mourinho’s tenure to a forgotten man under Postecoglou, his journey encapsulates the highs and lows of professional football. Tottenham, meanwhile, must continue their pursuit of stability and success, learning from the lessons of past transfers and managerial appointments.
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