Who's to blame for Spurs crisis?

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty examines who - or what - is to blame for Spurs' crisis as they fight to avoid relegation. Who's to blame for Spurs crisis?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, It is safe to say Spurs fans were more than a little dejected during their home defeat by Crystal Palace on ThursdayByPhil McNultyChief football writerPublished24 minutes ago99 CommentsTottenham Hotspur's increasingly chaotic descent towards the Premier League relegation zone continued as thousands of supporters left early during their damaging home defeat by Crystal Palace on Thursday night.Spurs stand one point off the drop zone after interim manager Igor Tudor lost his third game in succession after replacing the sacked Thomas Frank.Tudor was appointed as a so-called "impact coach" based on his previous track record - but such has been his lack of impact that questions are already being asked about the Croat's future.Their campaign has been characterised by toxicity, misery and on occasion high farce - so who is to blame for the collapse of a club that won the Europa League last season and reached the Champions League final as recently as seven years ago?Daniel Levy and the Spurs ownership?Former chairman Daniel Levy was always the lightning rod for criticism when Spurs struggled, with the 2008 League Cup the only success in his reign before he "stepped down" after almost 25 years last September.Levy was the driving force behind Spurs' magnificent stadium, but found himself in the crosshairs of supporters for what they regarded as his failure to provide the financial backing to break into the Premier League elite on a regular basis.Former Spurs and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Sport: "This is a problem that has been building over years. You can circle a drain long enough but at some point you will fall in."Daniel gets a lot of criticism. Some if it is unfair. You look at the managers he has appointed when the clamour was for trophies."He employed 'win now' managers in Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte but he didn't give them 'win now' players."Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Former chairman Daniel Levy was a divisive figure who stepped down in September after almost 25 years at SpursSince Mauricio Pochettino's sacking in November 2019, Spurs have spent £979m on players with a net spend of £653m. Only Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are ahead of them.Other factors came into play with Levy, however, such as the suggestions he drove hard bargains which saw targeted players end up elsewhere, or players who could have been sold staying at Spurs because other clubs simply would not meet his demands.Spurs' wage bill must also be factored into the equation, with Levy running a tight ship.According to the Deloitte Money League, their bill last term was £248.6m, much lower than the rest of the top flight's so-called "Big Six".Levy can point to financial and structural success off the pitch, but there was under-achievement on it.He will also be associated with instability, including a revolving door of 12 sacked managers as Spurs reached 16 semi-finals and seven finals.What his true legacy is may only be measured at the end of this season.How relegation could cost Spurs more than £250mPublished15 hours agoDisillusionment and disbelief - thousands leave early with Spurs in freefallPublished13 hours agoTottenham's relegation worries deepen with defeat by Crystal Palace Did Pochettino's departure spark decline?The fact that any straw poll of Spurs fans would end with Pochettino standing in the technical area at the start of next season shows the affection still felt for the Argentine.Pochettino's high point was the Champions League final against Liverpool in 2019 - but that defeat also marked the beginning of the end.He felt it should have been the reverse, a starting point, but fractures soon appeared in his relationship with Levy, with Pochettino feeling his wish to rebuild the side with greater glories in mind was not fulfilled.Robinson agrees, saying: "You look back to that Champions League final. Spurs had a manager who people would walk over hot coals to get back now."This was the time to back him with a long-term contract, invest heavily to ensure you stay on that level. Ever since that day the club has regressed."Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Spurs fortunes have dipped since Pochettino's departure - could he return next season?Tanguy Ndomdole's arrival from Lyon for £53.8m was the marquee signing in summer 2019.The writing was on the wall in pre-season when Pochettino memorably said: "Sell, buy players, sign contract, not sign contract. I think it is not in my hands, it is in the club's hands and Daniel Levy."The club needs to change my title and description. Of course, I am the boss deciding the strategic play but in another area I don't know. I feel like I am the coach."Just 171 days after reaching the Champions League final, he was sacked.Since then, none of Pochettino's successors have truly capture