Former Premier League player reveals what happens behind scenes when a club is relegated

A former Premier League player who experienced the heartbreak of relegation has given an insight into what happens behind the scenes when a club goes down.

With nine games left to play in this season's Premier League campaign, an out-of-form Tottenham are just a point above 18th-placed West Ham following a 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Thursday.

Relegation to England's second-tier could cost the club more than £250 million, according to BBC Sport.

If the unthinkable happens, their ticket revenue, commercial income and overall broadcast revenue will take a significant hit, not to mention having to deal with a wage bill of £276 million and the impact that will have on finances.

Opta's data model suggests Tottenham’s chances of relegation are slim compared to the likes of Burnley and West Ham, with the likelihood of Igor Tudor's side going down being calculated at 16.1 per cent.

Spurs interim Igor Tudor watches on during Thursday's clash against Crystal Palace. Image credit: Getty

So, what goes on behind the scenes when a club are relegated?

Matt Jarvis was part of the Wolves squad that was relegated from the Premier League in 2012 following a run of form that featured just one win from 24 games.

On the Micah McLean Talks podcast in November, the former England international discussed the reality of dropping down to the Championship.

"There's a whole transition of squad players," he said.

"It was pretty much two different teams from one year to the next. It's completely different. And managers change as well. You just have to navigate the disappointments, and the ups and the downs of everything that comes along with it."

"That's more of a transition and a mindset, and a fundamental of trying to just focus on your own sort of structure and routine of going through the weeks and leading up to the game, as well as your routine on a match day," added Jarvis.

Matt Jarvis was part of the Wolves squad that was relegated from the Premier League in 2012. Image credit: Getty

Why are Spurs in this mess?

The club have shown no signs of improvement since the sacking of Thomas Frank last month. So, what has gone wrong?

Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast this week, former Tottenham forward Gareth Bale gave his take on the situation in North London as he spoke about their lack of investment regarding recruitment.

"I would say money. Look at the wage bill - it is lower (than other clubs with big ambitions)," he said.

"They always seem to buy young and hope they are going to grow into something bigger, which has worked in the past with me and a few other players, but they are an established club now. They have the stadium. They have the training ground. They have the fanbase. They need to be buying bigger players, and maybe be paying a bit more.

"It is a bit of a gamble that maybe they just need to take. But from a business point of view, they are not willing to do it."

Bale added: "For me, the biggest issue is probably that they don't sign the finished player. A £50m player is not what it used to be. You have to be spending £80m, £90m, £100m now just to get a good player. It's like they just need to gamble a bit more, because other clubs are more willing to take a risk financially."