Tottenham Hotspur to sack Ange Postecoglou after Europa League triumph and Premier League collapse
Tottenham Hotspur are expected to part company with head coach Ange Postecoglou despite the Australian leading the club to its first major trophy in 17 years. Spurs lifted the Europa League title with a commanding victory over Manchester United in Bilbao, but that success was overshadowed by a catastrophic Premier League campaign that saw the club finish 17th—its lowest-ever finish in the modern era.
Tottenham to sack Ange Postecoglou after Europa League win. Spurs finish 17th in Premier League. Thomas Frank emerges as top replacement.
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Postecoglou, 59, was appointed in July 2023 on a four-year contract following a trophy-laden spell at Celtic. He made an immediate impact in north London, winning eight of his first ten Premier League matches, defeating both Manchester United and Liverpool. His flying start earned him three consecutive Premier League Manager of the Month awards, a first for any incoming manager in the competition.
Momentum, however, quickly faded. Spurs endured two six-game winless runs between December and January, and again over April and May. The club managed just 11 league victories and suffered 22 defeats—the most ever by a Premier League team that avoided relegation. Despite Europa League success, Spurs crashed out of both domestic cup competitions in the same week in February, falling 4-0 to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup and 2-1 to Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
An extensive injury list contributed to the collapse, with key figures such as James Maddison, Cristian Romero, Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, and Micky van de Ven missing significant spells. Tottenham also required extra time to edge past non-league side Tamworth in the FA Cup third round, underlining the team’s inconsistent performances.
The decision to dismiss Postecoglou arrives during a broader period of upheaval at Tottenham. Long-serving executive director Donna-Maria Cullen announced her resignation earlier this week, while Vinai Venkatesham, formerly of Arsenal, prepares to take over as CEO.
A successor is expected to be named next week, with Brentford’s Thomas Frank emerging as the leading candidate, though no formal contact has yet been made with the west London club.
Postecoglou’s tenure ends with a paradox—European triumph paired with domestic underachievement. Despite restoring some glory with a continental title, the Australian’s inability to arrest Spurs' alarming league form ultimately sealed his fate.
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