Ange Postecoglou’s time at Tottenham appears to be nearing its end following what has been a hugely disappointing second season at the club.
Spurs currently sit 14th in the Premier League after 31 games, having suffered 16 defeats and managed just 11 wins—a far cry from the promise shown early in his tenure.
The club has also been knocked out of both the League Cup and the FA Cup, leaving the Europa League as their only remaining chance to end a long-standing trophy drought.
Winning the European competition would not only bring long-awaited silverware to North London, but it also serves as the only viable route into next season’s Champions League.
While previous reports stated that club chairman Daniel Levy has informed the manager that winning the competition could save his job, his deteriorating relationship with the fans suggest that there is no way back for Ange from here with the Australian set to be sacked at the end of the season regardless of whether he wins the Europa League or not.
He has clashed with the fans on several occasions this season, in particular after defeat to Bournemouth and Fulham. He was also seen cupping his ears at the Spurs supporters after Sarr scored the goal against Chelsea in response to the fans’ boos.
Former football executive Keith Wyness has stated that the relationship between Ange and the fans is now beyond repair, sparking widespread speculation that the 59-year-old will be sacked at the end of the season—even if he lifts the Europa League trophy.
Speaking in his pre-Frankfurt press conference, Postecoglou addressed the uncertainty surrounding his position and acknowledged that even European glory may not be enough to save him. He said (via Football London):
“I came to this club with a clear purpose of rejuvenating a squad that was coming to the end of a cycle.
“I just think we’re in that position that the good stuff we may do is going to be turned into a glass half full rhetoric and from that perspective I don’t think that can be a driver in what we want to do. The lads are really keen to bring success to the club.
“I don’t think you’re going to win that argument of convincing people, well I think [someone] wrote that even if we win it, I’m gone anyway.
“That’s not having a go at you, that’s just saying the general sentiment of people.
“So if you’re trying to use that as a motivation, you’re not going to win that anyway.
“There’s got to be more in it for us and for us what is the most important thing as a group is that we’ve been through a really tough time but we’re still in a position where we can make an impact and you don’t know how often you get those opportunities.”
Tottenham have already begun exploring potential replacements, with Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola among the the leading candidate. Other names in the frame include Fulham’s Marco Silva, Brentford’s Thomas Frank, and Inter Milan’s Simone Inzaghi.
Most recently, Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has emerged as a serious contender, with reports claiming that Spurs have already made contact with his representatives regarding a possible summer move.
Whether or not Postecoglou is officially dismissed remains to be seen, but the writing appears to be on the wall.
With the club’s fanbase divided and the pressure mounting, Tottenham’s managerial hot seat may soon be vacant—and the search for a new leader is already well underway.
