The decision to sack Ange Postecoglou in June 2025 has been one of the most controversial moves in recent Tottenham Hotspur history, and based on the outcomes so far, it looks like a mistake. Let’s break it down step by step, focusing on the facts of his tenure, the context of the dismissal, and what’s happened since.
Postecoglou’s Record at Spurs
Achievements:
He joined Tottenham in the summer of 2023 after a trophyless period under previous managers like Mourinho, Conte, and Nuno. Under Ange, Spurs played an exciting, attacking style of football that fans loved early on. The pinnacle was winning the Europa League in May 2025—the club’s first major trophy since the 2008 League Cup.
This ended a 17-year drought and should have solidified his position.
League Performance: Results were mixed. In his first season (2023-24), Tottenham finished 5th in the Premier League, qualifying for Europe. The 2024-25 season saw them hover around mid-table at times, but the Europa triumph overshadowed domestic inconsistencies. There were reports of internal frustrations over squad depth and injuries, but no outright crisis.
Fan and Player Sentiment: Many players, like Micky van de Ven, expressed shock at the sacking, noting it was unexpected given the silverware.
Why the Sack Happened:
Daniel Levy and the board reportedly felt a change was needed to “compete on multiple fronts,” citing concerns over league form and long-term sustainability.
Postecoglou himself later admitted he sensed it coming before the Europa final, suggesting behind-the-scenes tensions.
This echoes Tottenham’s history of quick managerial turnovers— they’ve cycled through 10 permanent managers since 2008, often chasing short-term fixes without building continuity.
What Happened Next and Why It Suggests They Shouldn’t Have Sacked Him
Replacement Struggles:
Thomas Frank was brought in from Brentford in the summer of 2025 as a “progressive” choice, but seven months later, Spurs are in a rut. A recent draw with Burnley has intensified sack rumours for Frank, with the team reportedly mid-table and out of European contention early in the 2025-26 season.
Fans are frustrated, with some X posts warning that sacking Frank could lead to further instability or even relegation battles.
Hindsight Perspective: Winning a trophy should buy a manager time, especially at a club starved of success. Comparisons to other clubs (e.g., Leicester’s sacking Ranieri after their miracle Premier League win) highlight how such decisions often backfire, leading to regression.
Tottenham’s current woes under Frank make Postecoglou’s era look stronger in retrospect. He delivered results with flair, and the sack feels like a classic Spurs board overreaction.
In short, no, Tottenham shouldn’t have sacked him.