Sky Sports: Tottenham decide to sack Postecoglou, ‘exceptional’ manager leading race to replace him
Ange Postecoglou’s rollercoaster tenure at Tottenham Hotspur appears to be nearing an abrupt and dramatic conclusion, as fresh reports suggest the club’s hierarchy has made the decision to part ways with the Australian manager—despite the remarkable high of recent European glory. According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri of Sky Sports, Spurs have already resolved to sack Postecoglou, just two weeks after he guided the club to a historic victory in the Europa League final over Manchester United.
The former Celtic boss arrived in North London amid cautious optimism and quickly won over many fans and pundits with his bold, attacking philosophy and candid personality. Last season, in his debut Premier League campaign, Postecoglou led Tottenham to a commendable fifth-place finish—just two points shy of the coveted Champions League qualification spots. Without the burden of European competition, he crafted a dynamic, front-foot style of play that earned plaudits across English football and delivered Spurs a place in this season’s Europa League.
However, that initial promise has since given way to a season of bitter disappointment and inconsistency. Injuries plagued the squad throughout the campaign, but the team’s domestic form collapsed catastrophically. Spurs slumped to a dismal 17th-place finish—their worst-ever position in the Premier League era—narrowly avoiding relegation in a campaign described by insiders as a “Jekyll and Hyde” affair. The club also exited the FA Cup in the early rounds and suffered a humiliating collapse in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, squandering an aggregate lead to eventually lose 4-1 to Liverpool.
While the dramatic Europa League final win in mid-May, which saw Spurs lift a major European trophy for the first time in decades, had momentarily silenced the critics and appeared to offer Postecoglou a lifeline, it now seems that it wasn’t enough to convince chairman Daniel Levy and the Tottenham board. Despite the silverware, the disastrous league form appears to have been the final straw.
According to Tavolieri, the club is already lining up a replacement. Brentford manager Thomas Frank is reportedly the frontrunner to take the reins. The Danish tactician has earned widespread respect for guiding the Bees to an impressive top-half finish, employing a pragmatic yet effective approach that contrasts with Postecoglou’s high-risk, high-reward style. Frank’s ability to extract the maximum from a modestly resourced squad has clearly caught the attention of Spurs’ decision-makers.
Ironically, Postecoglou had boldly declared earlier this season that he “always wins trophies” in his second year at a club—a prophecy he indeed fulfilled with European success. Yet, despite delivering on that front, the domestic failures have seemingly overshadowed any progress on the continental stage.
Now, with Champions League football returning to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next season, expectations will be higher than ever. The club’s board is determined to see a manager in place who can balance European ambition with consistent domestic performance. Whoever steps into the dugout next will not only inherit a talented but inconsistent squad—they’ll also be handed the heavy burden of high expectations and an urgent demand for stability.
Postecoglou’s tenure will be remembered as a whirlwind—marked by hope, flair, and fleeting triumph, ultimately undone by the brutal demands of Premier League football. If reports prove true, his departure will mark the end of yet another managerial chapter at Tottenham, and the start of a new search for the right man to finally bring sustained success to North London.