Was Tottenham too ruthless in sacking Postecoglou?

Postecoglou helped Spurs end their trophy drought, but he still couldn't keep his job. In the eyes of the Tottenham board, the long run in the Premier League was the real measure of success – and "Angeball" didn't meet expectations.

Postecoglou has officially lost his job at Tottenham Hotspur.

Just weeks after that glorious night in Bilbao, where Tottenham Hotspur lifted a European trophy for the first time in 41 years, the story of "Angeball"—Ange Postecoglou's attacking and inspiring football philosophy—officially came to an end. There was no third season, no chance to continue the unfinished dream.

Chairman Daniel Levy made a cold-blooded decision – once again – despite winning the Europa League and a wave of support from the majority of the fans.

A bitter ending?

When Postecoglou said after the final, "We've tasted glory, now it's time to return with greater ambitions," he didn't know his fate was sealed even before the Tottenham plane landed in the Basque Country. The club's top brass had already lost faith.

For Levy, the meager points in the Premier League, the boos the team received, and the inconsistent performances overshadowed any emotions from winning their first European title in decades.

It's hard to justify. Because even though the Europa League victory was the highlight, Tottenham under Postecoglou also left behind a series of worrying statistics: 22 defeats in the Premier League - the worst record in the league's history for Spurs; 26 defeats in all competitions in the 2024/25 season - the club's most ever.

Remarkably, 25% of Ange's Premier League points came from... the first 10 games of the 2023/24 season. After a brilliant start came a long period of ups and downs and a loss of direction. So, was Levy right? Possibly, but the story isn't as simple as the numbers.

Postecoglou had to manage Tottenham through two seasons in which he almost never had his strongest squad available.

Football is a cruel game where results often obscure the context. Postecoglou had to steer Tottenham through two seasons in which he almost never had his strongest squad available.

From Vicario, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Maddison, Bentancur to Richarlison - all of them were absent for extended periods. During the most critical phase, he was forced to use young players and reserve options.

One could argue that, with a full squad, Postecoglou's Spurs deserved to be second in scoring. But that's just a hypothetical situation.

Football doesn't wait for anyone to be fully fit to start again. And while key players were sidelined, Tottenham lost to Palace, Ipswich, and Leicester, and dropped points against much weaker opponents.

However, looking solely at the scoreline would be unfair. The Europa League victory itself is proof of Postecoglou's managerial abilities.

He was forced to set aside the free-flowing attacking philosophy that had brought him three consecutive Manager of the Month titles and adopt a pragmatic style – something that his predecessors, such as Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, had been criticized for. Tottenham in Europe played disciplined football, knew how to defend, knew when to retreat – and ultimately, knew how to win.

The issue is not the result, but the belief.

Postecoglou was once a symbol of the beginning. The chants of “Big Ange” echoed through Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with fans excitedly talking about “bringing identity back.”

But all that faded away. As the team declined, boos began to surface – not just directed at the players, but also at the Australian coach himself. It felt like the team and the fans were no longer on the same page.

Postecoglou was once a symbol of new beginnings. However, things gradually went off track.

And Levy, in a moment requiring decisive action, chose to stop. Perhaps he looked towards Manchester United – where the board hastily extended Ten Hag's contract after winning the FA Cup – and did not want to repeat that mistake.

Although Spurs' Europa League victory came with a Champions League spot and a huge income, Postecoglou was not the right person to lead Levy on the next leg of their journey.

Postecoglou arrived at Tottenham without Harry Kane – the club's lifeline for over a decade. He had to rebuild almost from scratch, enduring two seasons ravaged by injuries and an underperforming transfer window. Yet, the Australian manager still led Tottenham to a trophy: a European Cup. Something that seemed impossible, given the circumstances at the start of the season.

However, modern football leaves no room for patience. With financial pressure, the demand for immediate results, and a fan base constantly on high expectations, coaches—even those who have brought glory—can be replaced like pawns.

Tottenham are now embarking on a new journey. Levy is once again betting on change, hoping this time his replacement can keep the winning momentum going for longer – not just one night in Bilbao, but an entire era.

And what about Postecoglou? He will leave with his head held high. Not because everything he did was perfect, but because he brought hope – something Tottenham had lacked for a decade. And hope, sometimes, deserves to be remembered.

Source: https://znews.vn/tottenham-qua-tan-nhan-khi-sa-thai-postecoglou-post1558912.html