Stan Collymore Blasts Potential Decision to Keep Postecoglou Despite Possible Europa League Triumph
Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has strongly advised Tottenham Hotspur against retaining Ange Postecoglou as manager, even if the club goes on to win the UEFA Europa League.
Collymore believes that continuing with the Australian coach would be a grave error, especially given Spurs’ disastrous domestic form this season.
Tottenham have struggled badly in the Premier League, sitting in 16th place after suffering 19 defeats in just 34 games. Their poor league run has prompted widespread speculation that the club is preparing to part ways with Postecoglou once the season ends.
However, their fortunes in Europe have told a very different story. The north London side is just one step away from a place in the Europa League final in Bilbao after securing an impressive 3-1 victory over Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their semi-final.
This European success has led to renewed discussions about whether Postecoglou should be given another chance to lead the team next season. But Collymore has made it clear that, in his view, keeping the 58-year-old manager would be a major mistake.
Speaking to CaughtOffside, Collymore did not hold back:
“It would be the worst decision to keep Ange Postecoglou even if they win the Europa League – and if he does, I can see him not being sacked. If all of the players are behind him like James Maddison has said, that tells me they really are ‘Spursy’, and that they are content with finishing in the lower half of the Premier League.”
One of the key criticisms directed at Postecoglou this season has been his unwavering commitment to his high-risk, attacking style of play, despite a defensive injury crisis that has decimated the squad. While many coaches would adapt to more pragmatic tactics in the face of such adversity, Postecoglou has remained loyal to his philosophy. Surprisingly, many players still appear to support him, which Collymore sees as part of the problem.
“They have a squad that should be competing in the top five or six of the league. For me, the mentality of the players is all wrong, and there are glaring issues with Ange’s tactical setup. He refuses to adjust, and the results speak for themselves.”
Collymore went on to say that keeping Postecoglou beyond this season would send the wrong message to fans and would not inspire confidence in any genuine progress being made at the club.
“It would be the worst message to send to the Tottenham fans if they keep Ange. There’s not going to be a magical turnaround next season if everything stays the same. Does the club really believe that they can stick with the same manager and mostly the same squad and suddenly jump into the top four? Maddison’s recent supportive comments should actually serve as a warning, not a reassurance.”
Interestingly, there are parallels being drawn between Postecoglou’s situation and that of Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. Ten Hag appeared destined for the sack earlier this season, but a surprising FA Cup victory over Manchester City led to a change of heart from the club’s new ownership group, INEOS, who ultimately opted to offer him a new contract. A similar European triumph could potentially offer Postecoglou a lifeline, especially if Spurs manage to secure their first piece of silverware in 17 years.
Postecoglou, who joined Spurs in the summer of 2023, still has two years remaining on his current contract. Earlier in the season, he confidently stated that he “always wins things” in his second year at a club. Whether that prophecy comes true remains to be seen — but even if he delivers a Europa League trophy, Collymore believes the club should look elsewhere for a new direction.
Do you think winning the Europa League should be enough to keep Postecoglou in charge at Tottenham, or is a fresh start still necessary regardless of European success?
