By Matt Law
Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is facing the threat of a player revolt, having brutally sacked head coach Ange Postecoglou two weeks after winning the Europa League.
Postecoglou’s exit came on the two-year anniversary of his appointment. It is understood that chief football officer Scott Munn, who was one of Postecoglou’s biggest supporters inside Spurs, has also been sacked by Levy.
Postecoglou’s departure has angered a number of Tottenham players, with sources claiming some want to leave the club and that the Australian’s successor will face a huge task to repair the dressing-room damage.
Postecoglou was left in the dark over his future for almost two weeks after the final Premier League game of the season before being told he had been sacked on Friday. A source said: “The players are so angry about what has happened and how it has been handled. The next manager is going to inherit a difficult situation.”
Thomas Frank is rated as one of the leading candidates to replace Postecoglou. Marco Silva and Andoni Iraola have also been considered, while supporters would back an emotional return for Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently the head coach of the United States national team. It is understood that no approach had been made for Pochettino on Friday night.
It is anticipated that former managing director of football Fabio Paratici, who could return to Spurs in a full-time capacity and has remained a consultant to Levy, will have a significant say in choosing Postecoglou’s successor.
Ange Postecoglou shared a close bond with his Tottenham players.Credit: Getty Images
Whether that is Frank or somebody else, it appears Spurs will now be faced with significant dressing-room unrest this summer and heading into next season.
Pedro Porro this week said that speculation Postecoglou could be sacked had impacted him and insisted that the squad were happy with him. James Maddison liked a video on social media of an interview in which the 59-year-old said the club could now build on their Europa League success.
In the aftermath of winning his first trophy with Tottenham, captain Son Heung-min said: “He [Postecoglou] won the trophy. Nobody did it, so …. look, it is not up to me or the players, but we just have to look at the facts, at the fact that we have not won in 17 years, today is the day we finally won it. It is the manager who wins the trophy. So we see what is going to happen.”
Son left some teammates and staff with the impression that he could leave Tottenham this summer and there is believed to be interest in the South Korean from Saudi Arabia. Atletico Madrid want to sign defender Cristian Romero, another player who was close to Postecoglou.
Levy was not directly quoted in the Tottenham statement that confirmed Postecoglou’s sacking. It 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. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances – injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the club’s greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph.
“It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond. This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision.”
Following Tottenham’s announcement, Postecoglou released his own statement: “When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride.
“The opportunity to lead one of England’s historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget.
“That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible.”
He added: “I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special.”
Tottenham’s Europa League success changed the minds of many supporters over Postecoglou’s future. But a 17th place Premier League finish, alongside the Europa League win, ultimately cost him his job, even though his squad was decimated by injuries.
Levy has put himself under huge pressure to appoint a successor to Postecoglou who can out-perform the Australian. Frank has never won a major trophy as a manager and has not managed in a full European competition. Silva won the Greek title with Olympiacos and coached them in the Champions League.
Sacking Postecoglou will cost Tottenham in the region of £4 million ($8.33 million) in compensation.
Telegraph, London
