Tottenham Hotspur have sacked Ange Postecoglou just over a fortnight after he ended the club’s 17-year wait for silverware.
Postecoglou was sacked on late Friday afternoon – a decision that will split the Spurs fan base.
The Australian guided the north London club to glory in the Europa League final on May 21 – with a narrow 1-0 win over Manchester United, in what was a turgid showpiece. With the triumph too came Champions League qualification for next season and the £100million windfall of that competition.
However, despite their European success, the 59-year-old also oversaw the club’s worst-ever Premier League season – as they finished 17th after losing 22 of their 38 matches. That ultimately proved his downfall as alluded to in Spurs’ statement.
‘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,’ part of it read.
‘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.’
Tottenham’s full statement on sacking Ange Postecoglou
‘Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties.
‘Ange joined us from Celtic in the summer of 2023 and oversaw a period of change on the pitch, returning us to the attacking brand of football that has traditionally been associated with the club, while writing a new chapter in our history by leading us to UEFA Europa League glory in Bilbao last month – an achievement that will live with us all forever.
‘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.
‘We have a talented, young squad and Ange has given us a great platform to build upon. We should like to express our gratitude to him. We wish him well for the future – he will always be welcome back at our home.
‘News on the appointment of a new Head Coach will be announced in due course.’
Thomas Frank the leading candidate to replace Postecoglou
Brentford boss Thomas Frank is among the leading candidates to replace Postecoglou. Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, Fulham’s Marco Silva, Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino – now managing the United States – are among the other candidates to have been considered.
