Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy says sacking Ange Postecoglou 'emotionally difficult' but 'right decision'

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy says sacking Ange Postecoglou 'emotionally difficult' but 'right decision' - 'We want to win'

Published 17/06/2025 at 20:18 GMT+1

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has said he does not regret the appointment of Ange Postecoglou as manager, but the time was right for change despite their UEFA Europa League triumph. Spurs beat Manchester United in Bilbao to win their first trophy for 17 years. But Levy says the club wants to compete in everything, with the Premier League and UEFA Champions League the primary targets.

Tottenham celebrate with Europa League trophy

Video credit: TNT Sports

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said it was difficult "emotionally" to dismiss Ange Postecoglou as the club's head coach, but has no regrets over his appointment two years ago.

Postecoglou departed Spurs earlier this month despite leading the club to a first trophy in 17 years - and first European title since 1984 - with their 1-0 UEFA Europa League final triumph over Manchester United in Bilbao.

The north London side finished 17th in the Premier League - just one place above the relegation zone. Levy said he felt the club "needed a change".

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"I am very grateful to Ange. I do not regret appointing Ange," Levy said in a video published on Tottenham's YouTube channel.

"In his first season, we finished fifth. In his second season, we were over the moon to win a trophy. But we need to compete in all competitions, and we felt that we needed a change.

"I have got an excellent relationship with him. I told him you are always going to be a part of our history; he and his family are always welcome back.

"It was a collective decision. It was not my decision, we do everything together.

'Season three is better than season two' - Postecoglou's stirring trophy parade speech

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"Emotionally, it was very difficult, but we believe we have made the right decision for the club."

Levy has replaced Postecoglou with Thomas Frank, who has left Brentford after seven years in charge, a tenure which saw the Danish coach establish his side in the Premier League after leading them to promotion from the Championship.

Levy detailed the qualities he sees in Frank, who will lead Tottenham into the UEFA Champions League next season.

"He's clearly highly intelligent, a great communicator," Levy said. "Super human being, plus all the technical aspects, which are obviously really important."

Spurs' CEO Vinai Venkatesham, who was appointed in April and aided with the recruitment of the new head coach, detailed the process which involved "30 candidates" and said he was particularly drawn by Frank's quality as an "outstanding developer of young players".

Levy also outlined how much that historic night in Bilbao meant to him, as Spurs shook off years of despair to finally win silverware. The 63-year-old, though, said the Europa League title alone is "not enough".

"The pressure and the disappointment of not winning over a number of years, I just wanted it so desperately, not just for me, my family, but all the fans around the world," Levy added.

Spurs party with travelling supporters after ending trophy drought

Video credit: TNT Sports

"We deserve some luck, and that last seven or so minutes was horrific. It felt like hours [until] that final whistle went. That was just an amazing experience, and you saw the outpouring of emotion with the parade.

"You know, it was just incredible. We have won a European trophy, but it is not enough. What we have not done is more important.

"We need to win the league. We want to win the Premier League. We want to win the Champions League. You know, we want to win."

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