Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, has now crossed the one-year mark in his tenure with the Lilywhites, overseeing significant changes within the club. As the team wraps up an intense pre-season and gears up for the 2024/25 campaign, with their opening match against Leicester City on the horizon, it’s clear that Postecoglou has made his mark.
This summer, Postecoglou made bold promises of transformation, and he has delivered on those promises. In just a few months, Tottenham has seen a remarkable turnover, with 11 players leaving the club, a clear signal of the Australian’s intent to reshape the squad. After inheriting a team built around the strategies of former manager Antonio Conte, Postecoglou took the past year to thoroughly evaluate his players and make the necessary changes.
However, the significant player exodus didn’t start this summer. Last year also saw several key players depart, though Postecoglou has recently revealed that not all those decisions were his own. He openly admitted that he had little control over some of the transfers, particularly the sale of a highly-regarded player.
Among the notable exits this summer was Emerson Royal, who completed a move to AC Milan after lengthy negotiations. Yet, last summer’s departures were equally impactful, with Harry Winks being one of the most prominent. Winks, a product of Tottenham’s academy and a long-serving midfielder, left the club for Leicester City in a £10 million deal after their relegation to the Championship.
Reflecting on Winks’ transfer, Postecoglou conceded that his influence over the decision was limited. “Yes, to be fair to Harry, that decision was kind of made before I got here,” Postecoglou explained in a recent press conference. He acknowledged the significant changes that have occurred within the squad since his arrival, noting that these decisions are often more about timing and circumstances than a player’s ability. “The squad has changed fairly dramatically from 12/13 months ago, but that’s the reason I’ve come in. At the same time, it doesn’t diminish Harry’s career. He has had a fantastic season and is back in the Premier League this year. He is an outstanding footballer. These decisions are often not a reflection of a player’s ability; it is just the timing of things and things moving on.”
As fate would have it, Winks will face his former club in his first Premier League match back with Leicester City. The encounter, set to take place at the King Power Stadium on Monday night, promises to be a thrilling one. The Foxes, eager to make a statement upon their return to the top flight, will be aiming for an upset against Spurs, who have a strong record against newly-promoted teams.
Winks, however, is focused on the task at hand. Speaking to Sky Sports, he expressed his anticipation for the match. “For me personally, it’s a game that I’m really looking forward to. My family will be there, and competing against ex-teammates and staff, it’ll be nice to see some people, but I’m focused on trying to win,” Winks said, highlighting the mix of emotions as he prepares to face his former teammates while fully committed to helping Leicester secure a victory.
