Postecoglou sacked by Spurs despite ending trophy drought
LONDON : Ange Postecoglou was sacked as Tottenham manager on Friday, just 16 days after the Australian ended the club's 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League.
Postecoglou led Tottenham to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao to clinch the north Londoners' first European prize in 41 years and secure a place in next season's Champions League.
But the Australian paid the price for Tottenham's worst domestic season since they were relegated from the top flight in 1976-77.
'Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties,' a statement on Tottenham's official X account said.
Exactly two years after he was hired from Celtic, Postecoglou's eventful spell in north London was brought to a ruthless end by chairman Daniel Levy.
Tottenham lost 22 of their 38 Premier League games to finish 17th in the table, above only relegated trio Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton.
'The Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the club for a change to take place,' the statement said.
'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.'
Postecoglou had forcefully defended his track record during the season and bristled at the constant questions over his future after his trophy success.
He clashed with Tottenham fans during a defeat at Chelsea when he cupped his ear to them in a defiant gesture after a goal that was eventually disallowed.
That blunder encapsulated his turbulent time in north London, but the 59-year-old bowed out gracefully.
'My overriding emotion is one of pride. The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime,' he said in a statement released moments after his sacking.
'That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream.'
'Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. We are forever connected.'
Tottenham were ravaged by injuries and in the latter stages of the campaign Postecoglou focused on keeping his key players fit and fresh for the Europa League.
The gamble paid off but even securing Tottenham's first trophy since the 2008 League Cup was not enough to save him.
He becomes the fifth manager sacked by Levy in the past six years.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank, Fulham manager Marco Silva, Crystal Palace chief Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola are reportedly the leading candidates to replace Postecoglou.
Postecoglou made a blistering start to his Tottenham career, earning rave reviews for his 'Angeball' style of attacking play.
However, a string of defeats at the end of the season blew a golden opportunity to qualify for the Champions League.
In September 2024, Postecoglou boldly stated that he 'always wins things' in his second year.
He delivered on that pledge but even the euphoria from the Europa League win could not save him from the axe.
Postecoglou had largely retained the support of his players and Tottenham defender Pedro Porro saluted his efforts.
'Thank you for everything, boss. I'll always be grateful for the way you led us, defended us, and kept us going through all the highs and lows,' Porro said.
'Above everything, you gave us one of the greatest moments in the club's history and for that, you'll always be celebrated.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Isak considers Newcastle exit
LONDON: Alexander Isak has reportedly told Newcastle he wants to explore a move away as the club confirmed he was not part of the squad travelling to Asia for pre-season friendlies. The Daily Mail said on Thursday that Newcastle bosses "are aware of Isak's wish to consider his options this summer." It came hours after the Saudi-owned Premier League club said the 25-year-old forward would miss the Asia tour "with a minor thigh injury." Isak's 23 Premier League goals last season made him one of the world's hottest properties and he has been linked with English champions Liverpool. The Mail said Liverpool were still interested in acquiring the Sweden international despite announcing the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike on Wednesday. Ekitike's arrival, for a reported initial fee of £69 million (RM391 million), takes Liverpool's spending during the current transfer window to more than £250 million. Isak still has three years left on his contract at Newcastle, whom he joined in 2022 from Spanish side Real Sociedad. He was left out of Saturday's 4-0 defeat in a friendly at Celtic. But Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said at the time he was "confident" that Isak would stay at St James' Park, adding that he expected him to be part of the Asia tour. "It's difficult for me to give 100 per cent clarity on any player," he said. "I'd never sit here and do that because it's football and you never know what could happen. "All I can say is that Alex is happy at Newcastle. He loves the players that he plays with, the staff, the team." Newcastle face Arsenal in Singapore on Sunday before flying to South Korea, where they will play a K League all-star team and Tottenham. - AFP
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Soccer-Creative talents ready to raise the stakes in Women's Euro final
Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Semi Final - England v Italy - Stade de Geneve, Lancy, Switzerland - July 22, 2025 Italy's Manuela Giugliano in action with England's Lauren James REUTERS/Matthew Childs OBERENTFELDEN, Switzerland (Reuters) -With Lauren James of England and Aitana Bonmati of Spain set to clash in Sunday's Women's Euro final, the match will showcase two of the modern game's premier creative dribblers vying for one of football's biggest prizes. Both sides boast a host of players who are more than comfortable with the ball at their feet and capable of bringing the crowd to theirs every time they take on an opponent, as well as defenders ready to stop them. "You have to try to read the situation -- what's the right thing to do? Can you go at two (players) or should you pass the ball? We just have to analyse where the space is and what's possible," Caroline Graham-Hansen, a teammate of Bonmati's at Barcelona, told Reuters. "Just believe in yourself. Like, if you have two (players marking you), somebody else has more space, so just try to exploit that advantage or disadvantage that they try to give you," she added. Graham-Hansen is one of many dribblers who have lit up the Women's Euros with her skills which she discovered and sharpened whileplaying with friends as a child. "I just enjoyed dribbling. Going out, playing with the ball made me happy, it was something fun to do every time. I guess the playfulness of just enjoying the ball alone is part of my game today too," Graham-Hansen explained. Both James and Bonmati love to run at defenders, using changes of pace and direction to wrong-foot opponents and open up space for themselves. But though the world's top dribblers are often given license to attack in unorthodox ways, they still have to fit into tactical systems. With so many teams trying to win the ball and then play in transition, the dribblers have to weigh up when to back themselves and when to play it safe. "It's about trying to make the other team make mistakes, and the most difficult thing is obviously to dribble when there's a high risk of losing the ball, but you have to try. If you can beat your defender, it's always a big advantage," Graham-Hansen said. Sunday's final will be the most high-pressure game of the tournament, but Graham-Hansen said that dribbling specialists are well-used to performing in such circumstances. "Obviously you feel the pressure -- it's possible that you don't feel it, but it's still as much fun when you win, so it's worth it," she said, smiling. (Reporting by Philip O'ConnorEditing by Christian Radnedge)
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Arsenal sign Valencia defender Mosquera
LONDON: Arsenal on Thursday announced the signing of Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, taking their spending during the summer transfer window close to £140 million (RM780 million). The Spain under-21 international joins for an initial fee of around £13 million, with performance-related add-ons, and is understood to have agreed a five-year deal with an option of a further year. The 21-year-old, Arsenal's fifth signing in recent weeks, is set to provide cover for William Saliba and Gabriel at the heart of the Gunners' defence, but can operate anywhere along the back line. Mosquera, who played 41 times for Valencia last season, has joined Arsenal for their tour of Singapore and Hong Kong. "It means a lot to me," he told the club website. "There's been a lot of hard work behind all of this. "It's an opportunity that came up and I couldn't let it pass me by. I'm joining a historic, massive club. When you arrive here with your family, you really feel the greatness of this place." Manager Mikel Arteta described Mosquera as "an intelligent player with good pace, who can play centrally and on both sides." Mosquera follows Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke in moving to the Emirates. Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also put pen to paper on new contracts in the off-season, with a long-term extension for teenager Ethan Nwaneri believed to be all but completed. Arsenal remain hopeful of signing striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, although it is not believed a deal, which could be worth as much as £65 million, is imminent. The Gunners, who have finished as Premier League runners-up three times in a row, launch their 2025/26 campaign at Manchester United on Aug 17. - AFP
