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By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Ange Postecoglou |
Tottenham Hotspur have sacked manager Ange Postecoglou just 16 days after he led the club to their first trophy in 17 years a 1-0 Europa League final victory over Manchester United in Bilbao.
Despite ending Spurs' long wait for silverware, the Australian’s disastrous Premier League campaign where the club finished 17th, their worst-ever league position proved decisive in the board’s shock decision.
Postecoglou’s tenure began brightly, with Spurs unbeaten in their first 10 league games, earning him three consecutive Premier League Manager of the Month awards. However, injuries, suspensions, and his high-risk tactical approach led to a dramatic collapse.
In 2024, Tottenham won just a handful of league matches, suffering humiliating defeats to rivals Arsenal and Chelsea. The breaking point came at Stamford Bridge, where Postecoglou cupped his ears at furious travelling fans, exposing the growing rift between manager and supporters.
Postecoglou had famously vowed, “I always win things in my second year,” after an early defeat to Arsenal. True to his word, he delivered the Europa League, Spurs’ first European trophy since 1984. Yet, the board deemed domestic failure unacceptable.
In a statement, Tottenham said, “Whilst winning the Europa League ranks as one of the Club’s greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions. A change is necessary to move forward.”
With Postecoglou gone, Brentford’s Thomas Frank has emerged as the frontrunner to take over. Negotiations are expected to begin imminently.
For Postecoglou, it’s a brutal exit after a rollercoaster two years a trophy won, but a league campaign in ruins.