I quit Spurs in £31m move – I know why they’ve not won trophy in years
Dimitar Berbatov, the former Tottenham Hotspur striker, has voiced concerns over the club’s prolonged trophy drought, suggesting that the current squad has developed a “non-winning mentality” after 17 years without silverware.
Berbatov, who played a pivotal role in Spurs’ last trophy win—the 2008 League Cup final against Chelsea—believes the lack of success has created a culture of complacency within the team.
Despite reaching high-profile finals, including the 2019 Champions League, Tottenham have consistently fallen short, leading to the departures of key players like Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Kyle Walker, and, most recently, Harry Kane.
The Bulgarian legend, who left Spurs in 2008 to join Manchester United, where he won two Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson, emphasized the importance of a winning mentality in football.
In an exclusive interview with football.london, Berbatov highlighted how prolonged periods without trophies can affect players’ mindsets. “Some of the players have been in the team for too long,” he said. “When you spend too much time in a team without winning anything, you get comfortable. This becomes your mentality—a mentality of not winning.”
Berbatov argued that clubs should consider overhauling their squads every four years if they fail to achieve success. With Ange Postecoglou entering his third season in charge this August, the time may be ripe for Tottenham to make significant changes.
“This becomes your comfort zone,” Berbatov added. “That’s why I think every team should shuffle their squad every four years, especially if they’re not winning trophies. Bringing in new players can help reset the mentality and create a fresh drive to win.”
Tottenham’s current season has been underwhelming, with the team sitting 13th in the Premier League and eliminated from both domestic cup competitions. Their only remaining chance for silverware lies in the Europa League, where they face a challenging second-leg tie against AZ Alkmaar.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in the Netherlands, Spurs must deliver a strong performance at home to keep their European dreams alive. Berbatov’s comments underscore the urgency for the club to address its mentality and squad dynamics if they are to break their trophy drought.
During the interview, Berbatov also discussed his recent collaboration with LiveScore, an app that provides real-time updates on global football matches. The former striker revealed that he had long been a user of the platform, even before becoming its European Brand Ambassador.
“Even before I worked with LiveScore, if you wanted to check the scores of a game, my friends and everyone around me in Sofia would go to LiveScore,” he shared. “It was almost a sign that I would work with them in the future.”
As Tottenham prepare for their crucial Europa League clash, Berbatov’s insights serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the club. While Postecoglou has begun rebuilding the squad, the lack of a winning culture remains a significant hurdle.
For Spurs to return to their former glory, they must not only address their on-pitch performances but also foster a mentality that prioritizes success and silverware. The upcoming transfer window and the remainder of the season will be critical in determining whether Tottenham can finally turn the page on their long-standing drought.