Ange Postecoglou was a dead man walking at Tottenham Hotspur despite Europa League triumph
Tottenham managed to defy all odds last season, ending their long-standing trophy drought in spectacular fashion. The Lilywhites lifted the Europa League trophy after an unforgettable campaign that culminated in victory over Manchester United in the final. It was a historic moment for the club – and the credit rightly went to Ange Postecoglou, who delivered Spurs their first piece of silverware in 17 years.
From the moment he arrived at N17, Postecoglou made his ambitions clear. The Australian tactician stated that he had always won a trophy in his second season at every club he managed – and true to his word, he did just that at Tottenham. His bold, attacking philosophy brought joy back to the stands, and the Europa League triumph ensured that his name would be forever etched in the club’s history books.
However, the fairytale ending did not guarantee him job security. Despite the European success, Big Ange’s tenure at N17 came to an abrupt end shortly after the trophy parade. During the celebrations, he promised supporters that his third season would surpass the achievements of his second. But Daniel Levy thought otherwise, and just days later, the ex-Celtic boss relieved from his duties.
Ange Postecoglou gives insight on his sacking at Tottenham
In hindsight, Levy’s decision appears to have been driven by Tottenham’s poor domestic form. While the Lilywhites conquered Europe, they were a shadow of themselves in the Premier League. The North London club finished just one place above the relegation zone, suffering 22 defeats across the campaign – a damning statistic that highlighted the inconsistencies that plagued their league performances.
This alone was enough to convince the club’s hierarchy that Big Ange was not the right man to lead the club forward, despite his Europa League success. Now, the Australian tactician has finally cleared out the air around his sacking at N17. Speaking in his press conference, he told Sky Sports (via X),
“I knew I was getting sacked at Spurs about three or four months before I did, it didn’t stop me winning something.”
Many fans had long believed that Levy’s decision to part ways with Postecoglou came as a shock in the aftermath of the Europa League success. However, the Australian’s comments shed new light on the situation — indicating that his exit had been planned for months, regardless of the team’s triumph in Europe. Winning the Europa League, it seems, merely papered over the cracks of a faltering domestic campaign. Spurs’ inability to translate their European form into consistent Premier League performances ultimately cost Postecoglou his job.
Now, the focus has shifted to Thomas Frank, who has been tasked with building upon the foundations laid by his predecessor. The Danish tactician has already made an impressive start to life at N17, guiding Tottenham to a positive run of results early in the new season. Supporters will be hoping that Frank can maintain this momentum — and perhaps deliver another trophy to North London to continue the club’s resurgence.
