Ange Postecoglou has been sacked by Tottenham Hotspur despite leading the club to a first trophy in 17 years by winning last month's Europa League. The Australian, 59, has paid the price for Spurs' shocking domestic campaign with the Londoners finishing in 17th position despite having one of the world's richest squads.
Postecoglou had struck a defiant note after defeating Manchester United in Bilbao - bringing silverware back to north London for the first time since 2008 and guiding the club into next season's Champions League while fulfilling his promise that he always wins a trophy in his second season in charge.
He had also retained the backing of big name players with captain Son Heung-min and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario among those calling for Postecoglou to be kept on following the Bilbao victory.
However chairman Daniel Levy has now decided another change in the dugout is required - with Spurs set to welcome in a fifth permanent head coach already this decade. A statement from the North London club read: "Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties.
"Ange joined us from Celtic in the summer of 2023 and oversaw a period of change on the pitch, returning us to the attacking brand of football that has traditionally been associated with the Club, while writing a new chapter in our history by leading us to UEFA Europa League glory in Bilbao last month - an achievement that will live with us all forever.
"We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the Club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw.
"However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances - injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the Club’s greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph.
"It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond. This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision.
"We have a talented, young squad and Ange has given us a great platform to build upon. We should like to express our gratitude to him. We wish him well for the future - he will always be welcome back at our home. News on the appointment of a new Head Coach will be announced in due course."
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Postecoglou won 47 of his 101 matches in charge of the club, drawing 15 and losing 39 after joining from Celtic two years ago. And he had recently said he was confident that the club could push on enjoy a period of success after putting an end to the long wait for a trophy.
Speaking after the Europa League final, the Australian said: "I don't feel like I've completed the job yet, we're still building. The moment I accepted the role I had one thing in my head, and that was to win something. More than anything else I had that in my head, and we've done that now so I want to build on it."
Spurs have already been linked with Fulham's head coach Marco Silva, who is yet to open talks over a new deal at Craven Cottage, along with Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and Brentford's Thomas Frank.