Ange Postecoglou: Why Tottenham Pulled Plug After Historic Europa League Win

Ange Postecoglou has been sacked as Tottenham Hotspur manager just 16 days after leading the club to its first major trophy in 17 years.

The Australian's dismissal comes as a shock to many, following a historic 1-0 Europa League final win over Manchester United in Bilbao, a moment widely celebrated by the club's long-suffering fans.

Despite the European triumph, Postecoglou’s tenure was brought to an abrupt end two years to the day after he was appointed from Celtic.

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His departure comes on the heels of Tottenham’s worst-ever Premier League campaign, in which they finished 17th, narrowly avoiding relegation after losing 22 of their 38 league games.

"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," said Postecoglou in a statement released shortly after the announcement.

"That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream."

Postecoglou joined Spurs on July 1, 2023, after guiding Celtic to consecutive Scottish Premiership titles and a domestic treble.

He became the first Australian to manage in the Premier League and quickly earned praise for his attacking philosophy and forthright personality.

But while his first season ended with a respectable fifth-place finish, the wheels came off in his second.

Injuries, inconsistent form, and dressing room unrest contributed to a torrid league campaign.

Yet even as he stood at the club’s open-top bus parade, trophy in hand, he defiantly told fans, “season three is better than season two,” reinforcing his commitment to the project.

However, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and the board were unmoved by emotional highs.

In a club statement, Tottenham said Postecoglou would be remembered for delivering “one of the club’s greatest moments” by becoming only the third manager in Spurs’ history to lift a European trophy.

But the club added that decisions could not be made on “emotions aligned to this triumph” and that a “review of performances” had made a change necessary.

For many, the move reflects the club’s long-term planning concerns as much as its short-term frustrations.

Postecoglou succeeded Antonio Conte as permanent manager, following interim spells by Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason.

Celtic had tried to convince him to remain in Glasgow, but Spurs’ ambitious proposal proved too enticing for the 59-year-old coach.

“The culmination of two years of hard work… plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible,” Postecoglou said.

Attention now turns to who will replace him. Brentford’s Thomas Frank is reportedly the leading contender, while Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, Fulham’s Marco Silva, Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, and former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino—currently managing the United States—are among the names in the frame.

Tottenham’s latest managerial change signals both ambition and instability, with the club still searching for a long-term identity.