In a decision that has shocked parts of the footballing world, Tottenham Hotspur have relieved Ange Postecoglou of his duties as manager just days after securing the club’s first-ever UEFA Europa League title.
Postecoglou, who took the reins in 2023, endured a rollercoaster second season. While Spurs fans celebrated the club’s European glory after a dramatic final in Bilbao, where Tottenham defeated AS Roma 3-2 in extra time, the Premier League campaign told a different story. Spurs finished the season with a record-low 38 points, languishing near the bottom half of the table. The board, after careful deliberation, decided that the inconsistency in domestic form outweighed the European success.
A club statement read: “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.”
In a heartfelt statement, Postecoglou said:
“We made history. I’ll always be proud of what we achieved in Europe. But I understand football is about consistency, and I wish the club nothing but success.”
Captain Son was one of several Spurs players to pay tribute to Postecoglou, writing on Instagram:
“You’ve changed the trajectory of this club. You believed in yourself, and us, since day one and nev
er wavered for a second. Even when others did.
Tottenham are now reportedly eyeing Brentford boss Thomas Frank as the leading candidate to take over ; talks yet to take place with Bees over Dane, who has release clause in contract; Fulham’s Marco Silva and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola also admired by Spurs.
The 51-year-old has been in charge of Brentford since October 2018 and guided the west London club to the Premier League in 2021.
Since promotion, Frank has established Brentford as a Premier League club. They have finished 13th, 9th, 16th and 10th in their four seasons in the top flight, and last season they were in contention for a European place.
Fans are divided, with some backing the decision for long-term stability, while others feel the sacking is too harsh on a manager who delivered silverware.
