Postecoglou sack date set as Tottenham finalise three-man shortlist and with duo ruled out
The managerial reign of Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur appears to be hanging by a thread, with fresh reports suggesting that the Australian tactician could find himself out of a job within days. According to a major new update, Postecoglou now faces “less than a 5% chance” of retaining his position, as chairman Daniel Levy edges closer to making a definitive decision regarding the club’s future direction.
Postecoglou’s second season at the helm has been nothing short of extraordinary — and somewhat paradoxical. On the one hand, Spurs secured an historic Europa League triumph, ending their long-standing 17-year trophy drought. Yet, in the same breath, they slumped to a shocking 17th-place finish in the Premier League — their lowest since the 1976/77 season — leading many to question whether European success can truly mask domestic failure.
Despite delivering on his bold preseason promise of lifting silverware in his second campaign, it seems that may not be enough to save the 59-year-old. As reported by The Independent’s Miguel Delaney in his Reading the Game newsletter, Tottenham had yet to issue a formal decision as of Friday, but Postecoglou’s chances of survival have dwindled from an already slim five percent. “His departure is still expected,” Delaney wrote, “whenever that may be.”
Trophy Success Not Enough to Offset League Collapse
While the club’s Europa League run provided moments of euphoria for fans, insiders suggest Levy’s judgment of Postecoglou’s tenure hinges far more on Premier League results than on European exploits. Sources close to the club have consistently indicated that, regardless of how the European campaign ended, the chairman’s patience had worn thin due to Spurs’ inconsistency, lack of adaptability, and tactical vulnerabilities in league play.
The Telegraph now reports that a final verdict on Postecoglou’s future will be made within the coming week. The tone of their update leaves little room for optimism, describing the Australian’s position as being “under extreme risk.” They further reveal that Levy has already begun evaluating alternative managerial candidates — a clear sign that change is on the horizon.
Managerial Shortlist Narrows to Three Names
With previously linked candidates Andoni Iraola expected to remain at Bournemouth and Oliver Glasner set to continue with Crystal Palace, Tottenham’s search for a successor has been narrowed down to a trio of intriguing names. The two frontrunners, according to The Telegraph, are Fulham boss Marco Silva and Brentford’s highly respected head coach Thomas Frank.
Both are admired for their tactical acumen, man-management skills, and Premier League experience. Frank, in particular, is thought to be held in high regard by Levy, with many around the club believing the Dane is ready for a step up to a top-six side. His ability to extract consistent performances from Brentford’s modest squad has not gone unnoticed in N17.
But the shortlist doesn’t end there. TEAMtalk’s correspondent Rudy Galetti has revealed a third candidate under consideration: Francesco Farioli, the promising young Italian manager currently making waves in European football. Farioli is seen as a progressive coach with modern ideas, and Spurs are reportedly intrigued by his potential to lead a long-term project.
Postecoglou Still Defiant Amid Growing Doubt
Despite the mounting speculation, Postecoglou remains defiant. The former Celtic boss has spoken publicly about the strange nature of his position, considering the historical achievement he has just delivered. In a recent interview, he said:
“I’ve been finding it really weird talking about my future when we’ve done something unprecedented. I’ve got to answer the questions because nobody else is in a position to do so. Part of me is thinking, ‘Why am I even being asked the question?’ I’ve got no doubt this could be a really defining moment for this club.”
Postecoglou went on to emphasize the significance of Spurs’ achievements this season:
“We won a trophy, which we haven’t done for 17 years, and we’re in the Champions League. Ask anyone at this football club at the start of the year if they’d take that, and I’m pretty sure there wouldn’t be a person in the house that wouldn’t.”
Levy’s Dilemma: Emotions vs Expectations
However, despite the emotional pull of Postecoglou’s European success and the respect he has earned within the dressing room and among fans, Tottenham’s boardroom remains unconvinced. The prevailing opinion among decision-makers is that the club’s alarming dip in domestic form — paired with Postecoglou’s perceived rigidity in tactics — has left the team vulnerable and underperforming in key fixtures.
Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness added fuel to that fire, telling Football Insider that he believes the club will ultimately part ways with the Aussie coach. “I’ve gone backwards and forwards on this,” Wyness admitted, “but in the end – I’ve decided that he will go. I think they’ll look over the season, rather than just the easier European games.”
Wyness pointed specifically to Postecoglou’s tactical inflexibility as the likely deciding factor:
“There were certain games that he could have got results out of, that he didn’t – because he was inflexible. The players he had due to injuries meant he should have played a more conservative system. I think that’s the conclusion Daniel Levy will come to.”
Still, he acknowledged that the situation remains delicately poised: “It’s going to be a tight decision. There’s been a big emotional push towards Ange now, and he’s handled it very well since winning.”
Verdict Imminent
As the clock ticks down and Levy prepares to make one of the most significant decisions of his Tottenham tenure, the football world waits to see whether Postecoglou’s European glory will be remembered as a stepping stone — or a swansong. With three potential successors already in the frame and pressure mounting to restore domestic credibility, it’s clear that Spurs are on the brink of a major managerial shake-up.
One thing is certain: by the end of the coming week, we’ll know whether Ange Postecoglou’s time in north London is set to continue — or whether a new era is about to begin.