Tottenham Hotspur have posted their best-ever Women's Super League points tally this season, securing fifth place and a reputation as the 'best of the rest.' But head coach Martin Ho is determined to prove the achievement is no flash in the pan.
With a club-record 33 points and only one match remaining, Spurs have already surpassed expectations. However, history shows that teams finishing fifth—just outside the dominant top four—often struggle to maintain momentum. Ho insists his squad is already laying the groundwork for sustained success.
"We want this club to be recognised as not just one of the best in the UK, but in Europe," said Ho.
What Has Driven the Turnaround?
Twelve months ago, Tottenham were reeling. They finished second-bottom in the WSL, and only relegated Crystal Palace conceded more goals. That dismal campaign led to the dismissal of manager Robert Vilahamn.
Enter Ho, appointed from Norwegian club SK Brann, where he had reached the Women's Champions League quarter-finals. His impact was immediate: Spurs won four of their first five league matches, their only loss coming against champions Manchester City. Impressive draws with Arsenal and Manchester United followed, and by the start of 2026, Spurs were level on points with Arsenal in third.
Ho introduced an aggressive pressing style, increased creativity in possession, and a more structured defence. Smart recruitment also played a key role. In March, Ho signed a new long-term contract, though the team has slipped from the top-four race in recent weeks.
"It's been positive in numerous aspects, on and off the pitch," Ho reflected. "There has been a lot of learnings and development. It's given us really strong foundations to build on."
He added, "Finishing fifth doesn't win you anything. We want to win, compete and lift trophies."
The Road Ahead
Tottenham could finish within four points of Manchester United—Ho's former club, where he worked as an assistant for three years—if they beat Brighton on Saturday. That would be a welcome boost after a challenging March that saw three consecutive WSL defeats and an FA Cup quarter-final exit to Chelsea.
"We had a really good start then a bit of a bumpy road in the second half," Ho acknowledged. "How we faced the adversity and the reaction to that means we have still performed well."
Beyond results, Ho pointed to the infrastructure and processes put in place to ensure long-term success. "Away from the pitch, what has pleased me is probably the infrastructure and processes we have put in place to allow this team to be successful in the long-term," he said.
As the season concludes, Tottenham are not merely celebrating a one-off triumph—they are building for a future that aims to challenge the WSL elite.