Why firing Postecoglou was the right decision, as much as it hurts

Why Ange Postecoglou’s Departure Was the Right Call for Spurs — Despite the Heartbreak

Ange Postecoglou’s time as Tottenham Hotspur’s head coach has officially come to an end. While his departure may sting for many fans, particularly after leading the club to their first trophy in 17 years, the decision to part ways with the Australian tactician ultimately aligns with the club’s long-term interests. With Brentford’s Thomas Frank already confirmed as his successor, the focus at Spurs shifts to building a more sustainable future — one that many felt Ange could not deliver.

There’s no denying that Postecoglou’s tenure was filled with emotional highs. His leadership during the club’s historic Europa League triumph will go down in Spurs folklore. He brought silverware back to North London, something that had eluded multiple managers before him. Under normal circumstances, such an achievement would earn a manager more time. In fact, giving him another season wouldn’t have been unjustified — he had earned at least that much.

But football is rarely that simple. While it’s easy to romanticize Ange’s impact, when examined through a long-term lens, the cracks in his tenure become too significant to ignore. Ultimately, the club had to make a difficult yet necessary decision: let him go while his legacy remains untarnished, and bring in a manager with a clearer, more pragmatic plan for the future.

A Trophy Amid Turmoil

Postecoglou’s Europa League run was nothing short of magical. He galvanized a team that had looked lifeless at times and managed to deliver a continental trophy, only the third in the club’s history. Yet, that moment of glory stood in stark contrast to Tottenham’s disastrous domestic campaign. A 17th-place finish in the Premier League — accompanied by a shocking 22 losses — painted a grim picture. For all the excitement of that European run, Spurs were consistently outmatched and disorganized in league play.

Some may argue that sacking a manager who just ended a near two-decade trophy drought is a “Tottenham-only” kind of move — chaotic, irrational. But context is key. The football under Ange deteriorated as the season wore on, and the identity he once promised seemed to vanish entirely.

The Disappearance of “Ange Ball”

At the beginning of his reign, Postecoglou inspired fans with a bold, attacking philosophy dubbed “Ange Ball” — high tempo, pressing football with courage on the ball. For a brief period, it felt like something special was being built. But as results declined, so did the execution of his principles. By the end of the campaign, the team no longer resembled the vision he had so passionately preached.

One of the most telling moments came in the final league fixture — a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Brighton. While it’s true the match followed the emotional high of a European triumph, that doesn’t excuse the lack of energy and direction on display. The defeat wasn’t a one-off — it was a pattern. Week after week, the same tactical naivety was exposed. The football had become unrecognizable. And worse, it had become predictable.

Earlier in the season, I defended Ange, insisting he hadn’t abandoned his principles. But hindsight paints a different picture. The aggressive high line, the inconsistent press, and the lack of defensive stability made Spurs far too vulnerable. Even victories felt like scrambles, and the performances lacked cohesion. The team often oscillated between brilliance and complete collapse. They could score four one week, then concede six the next. There was no middle ground, no control.

A System That Didn’t Scale

Postecoglou’s tactical model looked unsustainable as early as the final third of the 2023/24 season. The flaws were there for all to see: an overly exposed backline, a midfield that couldn’t transition under pressure, and a press that broke down far too easily against even average opposition. Teams quickly learned how to counter Spurs, and Ange showed little willingness — or ability — to adapt.

What’s more, the identity crisis became so profound that it was hard to say what Tottenham stood for by season’s end. They weren’t playing free-flowing football anymore, and their defensive record was among the worst in the league. There was no evidence of tactical growth, no clarity on how the club would progress. The promise of a bold new era under Ange slowly fizzled out.

The Dilemma of Prioritization

One of the more controversial aspects of Postecoglou’s season was his apparent decision to focus entirely on the Europa League at the expense of domestic form. While this gamble paid off in the form of silverware, it was a highly risky maneuver. Sacrificing league consistency for a cup run is a bet very few managers would dare take — and even fewer survive when it fails.

Had Spurs fallen short in the Europa League, the criticism would have been deafening. Ange himself likely wouldn’t have been so candid about prioritizing Europe. It’s easy to justify when the trophy’s in hand, but it was an all-or-nothing play. And while the risk delivered short-term glory, it came at the cost of stability and credibility in the league.

Saying Goodbye at the Right Time

In the end, this was the right time for Tottenham to make a change. Ange Postecoglou deserves to be remembered as a club legend — the man who finally brought a trophy home. His charisma, honesty, and passion won over the fanbase and restored belief, if only temporarily. But his methods, while admirable, were ultimately flawed. The club needs more than emotional highs; it needs direction, adaptability, and consistency.

Chairman Daniel Levy’s decision may seem harsh or even unorthodox, but it was bold — and arguably necessary. Rather than letting Postecoglou’s reign end in disarray or fan frustration, Spurs chose to part ways while his reputation remained largely intact.

Now, with Thomas Frank set to take the reins, the hope is that Tottenham can build on the foundation Ange laid — but with a clearer tactical identity, better balance, and a long-term strategy that can sustain success both in England and abroad.

Ange Postecoglou will always have a place in Spurs’ history, and in the hearts of fans. But in football, sentiment can’t be the only guide. Sometimes, moving on is the bravest — and smartest — thing a club can do.