Tottenham Hotspur has officially sacked manager Ange Postecoglou. The Australian coach is reported to have released an emotional statement following his departure.
The 59-year-old achieved a significant milestone for Spurs just two weeks ago, leading them to their first trophy in 17 years with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final.
However, the domestic season proved challenging, with Tottenham finishing 17th in the Premier League. This marks their lowest league position in the top flight since being promoted in 1978.
As the club begins its search for a new manager, Brentford boss Thomas Frank and Fulham`s Marco Silva are among the names linked as potential replacements.
Club Statement on Postecoglou`s Departure
Tottenham released a statement explaining their decision, noting it was made “following a review of performances and after significant reflection” and was a “unanimous” board conclusion.
Tottenham`s Official Statement
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.
The club also shared a separate message on their X account, stating: “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. Thank you Ange”.
Financial Implications
Sacking Postecoglou is expected to be a costly move for Tottenham. Reports suggest the Australian manager will receive a compensation fee of around £4 million.
This compensation is reportedly in addition to a £2 million bonus he earned for winning the Europa League and securing qualification for the Champions League. Postecoglou had two years remaining on his contract.
Hiring a successor could also involve significant expense, with potential release clauses for target managers reportedly reaching around £10 million.
Successor Candidates and Search Process
The search for Postecoglou`s replacement has already begun. Thomas Frank of Brentford is considered a strong frontrunner for the position.
Other potential candidates linked to the job include Marco Silva (Fulham), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace), and Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth). Former Ajax boss Francesco Farioli is also mentioned.
Returning managing director Fabio Paratici is expected to play a crucial role in identifying and appointing the next head coach. Paratici previously held this role from 2021 to 2023 but resigned after receiving a worldwide ban from FIFA related to financial matters at Juventus.
Reasons for Departure
Despite the historic Europa League win, Postecoglou reportedly fell out of favour in his second season due to the team`s Premier League performance. While he succeeded in winning a trophy, something previous managers like Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, and Mauricio Pochettino couldn`t do in recent years, the club`s 17th place finish and record of 22 losses in 38 league matches were key factors in the board`s decision.
Fan Reaction
The decision to sack Postecoglou has drawn significant criticism from Tottenham supporters online. Many fans have expressed anger and disappointment, describing the move as a “disgrace” and calling the club a “joke”. Comments included sentiments like “Absolute disgrace!!” and “This club is addicted to self-sabotage. Embarrassing. Thanks Ange, for reminding us what it’s like to actually win something.”
Other Personnel Changes
Alongside the managerial change, Tottenham is undergoing further personnel changes. Executive director Donna Cullen has left after 20 years at the club, and Ryan Mason has departed to take a managerial position at Championship side West Brom. These are seen as initial steps in a broader shake-up that also includes the appointment of former Arsenal CEO Vinai Venkatesham. Reports suggest these changes might precede substantial financial investment from the club`s majority owners, Enic.
Odds for Next Manager
According to odds from talkSPORT BET, here are some leading candidates to take over as Tottenham manager:
- Thomas Frank 1/2
- Marco Silva 8/1
- Michael Carrick 8/1
- Oliver Glasner 12/1
- Carlos Corberan 12/1
- Xavi 14/1
- Scott Parker 20/1
