ANGE POSTECOGLOU has been sacked by Tottenham despite ending the club’s 17-year trophy drought, it’s understood.
Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao to lift the Europa League last month – sparking incredible scenes, both at San Mames and back home at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
GETTYAnge Postecoglou lifts the Europa League trophy[/caption]
GETTYPostecoglou hugs chairman Daniel Levy following the Europa League final[/caption]
GETTYThe Aussie remained popular with several players in his squad[/caption]
GETTYPostecoglou delivered on his silverware promise[/caption]
Postecoglou, 59, vowed after the match that he wanted to stay at Spurs, insisting his work was not “complete”.
Nevertheless, chairman Daniel Levy has decided to end the Aussie’s reign, with the club’s dire Premier League form costing Postecoglou his job.
Tottenham finished the season with a 4-1 home defeat by Brighton that left them 17th in the table with 38 points – their worst in Prem history.
They fell six points short of their previous worst points tally of 44 in 1997-98.
Postecoglou’s record in two years at Spurs reads 47 wins from 101 games, with a win percentage of 47 per cent.
As SunSport reported Fabio Paratici is to return to Tottenham as managing director and will play a key role in finding the club’s next manager.
The Italian, 52, was the club’s managing director of football between 2021 and 2023, before being forced to resign in April 2023 after being hit with a two-and-a-half-year worldwide ban by Fifa due to financial malpractice at previous club Juventus.
Paratici is thought to be a fan of former Ajax boss Francesco Farioli.
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Full Tottenham Statement On Ange’s Sacking
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.
Marco Silva, Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner are all thought to be in the frame.
Postecoglou’s reign began amid a wave of optimism in North London.
He arrived at Tottenham in June 2023, having been poached from Celtic where he won back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles.
Postecoglou had initially appeared to be a breath of fresh air following the miserable reigns of Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte.
His tenure began in style as Tottenham made the club’s best-ever start to a Premier League season.
SHUTTERSTOCKPostecoglou celebrates with his jubilant players in Bilbao[/caption]
GETTYThe Aussie, 59, claps the travelling Tottenham supporters[/caption]
Spurs won eight and drew two of their first ten Premier League games despite the exit of club icon and record scorer Harry Kane on the eve of Postecoglou’s first match in charge.
They were top of the table until a crazy 4-1 home defeat by Chelsea and a slew of injuries in late October triggered a steady decline in form.
Tottenham finished fifth following a dismal end to the campaign, but many fans still felt optimistic about Postecoglou’s tenure.
However, Spurs struggled with a long list of injuries this season and despite a landmark 4-0 win over champions Man City at the Etihad in November, they were frustratingly fragile domestically.
Following the City thrashing, Spurs won just one Premier League game in the next 71 days – and that was against Southampton – before eventually ending their barren run at Brentford in January.
‘QUE SERA, SERA’
Postecoglou pleaded for patience amid a heavy injury crisis across the winter months.
And with his first choice defence and front line restored, he was able to guide Spurs to Europa League glory.
Following the final, Postecoglou said: “I would be disappointed if we don’t continue on this path.
“It is difficult to buy into one person’s vision. I have been a serial winner.
“I know people dismiss what I have won because it didn’t happen here, but they were hard earned.
Coming third was not going to change this football club, winning a trophy would, that was my ambition and I was prepared to wear it if it did not happen.”
Ange Postecoglou
“There is huge relief. You carry the weight of responsibility and 150 times I have been a spokesman for this club.
“There are no planned meetings. I’ll go back to my hotel room with friends and family, open up a nice bottle of scotch, a massive parade on Friday, game on Sunday against Brighton and then holiday. Then que sera, sera.”
Postecoglou added: “I know our league form has been unacceptable.
“But coming third was not going to change this football club, winning a trophy would, that was my ambition and I was prepared to wear it if it did not happen.
“People kept reminding me of it because we were getting closer but I’m happy with that.”
GETTYDelighted Daniel Levy congratulates Postecoglou – but has now axed him[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
