Tottenham Hotspur sacked head coach Ange Postecoglou on Friday after deciding a change was necessary for the club “to compete on multiple fronts.”
The 59-year-old guided Spurs to their first trophy in 17 years after beating Manchester United in last month’s Europa League final — a result which also secured Champions League qualification for next season.
However, Postecoglou also oversaw a staggering 22 league defeats — the worst Premier League record for a team to avoid relegation — as they finished 17th in the table.
Sources have told ESPN that chairman Daniel Levy informed Postecoglou of the decision after the pair returned from their respective holidays earlier this week.
Spurs will now step up their search for a replacement with sources suggesting Brentford boss Thomas Frank, Fulham‘s Marco Silva and Bournemouth‘s Andoni Iraola among those under consideration.
Postecoglou departs after just two seasons in charge with sources suggesting he will receive a pay-off of up to £4 million ($5.4m). The Australian also received a £2m bonus for winning the Europa League.
In a statement released on Friday, Tottenham said: “Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties.
“We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the Club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw.
“However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place.”
