Spurs finished fourth in the league phase
Despite being just five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, Tottenham Hotspur succeeded in finishing above Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Man City in the UCL League Phase, as they guaranteed automatic qualification for the knock-out round.
That surprise European success puts the north Londoners in a unique situation: Spurs could simultaneously win the Champions League and be relegated from the Premier League.
Although history has never seen a Champions League winner relegated from their domestic division in the very same season, Chelsea did find themselves in an similar situation back in 2012.
Under caretaker manager Roberto di Matteo, the Blues won the Champions League, while finishing back in 6th in the Premier League.
Due to European rules — declaring that the champions deserved an opportunity to defend their title— Chelsea were handed a spot in that season’s competition, at the expense of the Premier League’s 4th placed team, Spurs.
This time around, should the north London outfit succeed in winning the UCL, they would be the ones to spoil the party for one of their rivals.
Per UEFA rules, even in light of a relegation to the Championship, Spurs too would be given the chance to defend their title, even from the English second division.
If the scenario does play out, Spurs would find themselves playing out all 46 Championship fixtures, as well as all their games in the Champions League.
Only time will tell if the 2025 Europa League winners find themselves in the unlikely position.
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