Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is reportedly contemplating the future of Ange Postecoglou, as he faces a pivotal decision regarding the club's direction. According to football.london, Levy is set to introduce significant changes within the club this summer, starting with the appointment of new CEO Vinai Venkatesham. The former Arsenal executive has been highly praised for his work at the north London rivals and has long been on Levy's radar.
His arrival is anticipated to instigate a shift in the power dynamics at Spurs. There are also whispers within Tottenham about the potential return of ex-managing director of football, Fabio Paratici. However, due to an ongoing civil trial concerning irregularities during his tenure at Juventus, Paratici may initially serve in a consultancy role.
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The trial involving Paratici, former president Andrea Agnelli, vice-president Pavel Nedved, and other members of the Juventus hierarchy commenced two weeks ago after a Rome tribunal judge dismissed a request to annul proceedings in April.
Should Paratici officially return, it could pose challenges for Spurs' technical director Johan Lange, given the Italian's proactive involvement in the transfer market.
Despite the impending upheaval at the club, Postecoglou seemed destined for an exit until he steered Tottenham to their first trophy in 17 years with a Europa League victory - marking the club's first European triumph in 41 years. The Australian coach not only ended this trophy drought but also secured Spurs a coveted spot in next season's Champions League and a place in the UEFA Super Cup against PSG in August.
The win in Bilbao has complicated matters, as has the robust support Postecoglou enjoys within the squad. Unlike many of Levy's previous managerial casualties, the 59 year old continues to receive strong backing from his players.
His efforts to shield them from media scrutiny during a challenging Premier League season, particularly during a three-month injury crisis, did not go unnoticed by the team, and he subsequently led them to victory.
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Some within the club were puzzled by Postecoglou's decision to focus on the Europa League once it became clear that his injury-plagued Spurs side could neither make significant strides in the Premier League nor face relegation, leading to suggestions that he was putting all his eggs in one basket. However, the players never lost faith in his promise that they would make history by the end of the season, and ultimately, the Australian coach was vindicated.
The club's internal structure has reportedly seen significant improvements since the head coach took over, following the somewhat tumultuous conclusion to Antonio Conte's reign.
In a touching gesture ahead of the final in Bilbao, Postecoglou arranged for the players' families to record video messages. This surprise was kept under wraps until the Australian coach unveiled the heartfelt videos during an emotional team meeting at the hotel prior to their journey to the stadium.
There are concerns within Spurs about potential dressing room unrest if Postecoglou were to be dismissed, especially after bringing tangible success to the north London club. Such a decision would likely incite a reaction from the majority of fans, many of whom believe the head coach deserves the chance to fulfil his promise that the third season will surpass the second - a statement that elicited a thunderous cheer from the estimated 220,000 supporters at last month's trophy parade.
Media scrutiny would undoubtedly intensify, given the years of ridicule Spurs endured for missing out on silverware, only to potentially sack the manager who finally broke that cycle. The club has been actively sharing social media content featuring Postecoglou's inspiring dressing room speech before the Bilbao final, as well as his poignant interactions with the team post-match on the pitch and in the dressing room.
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Several homegrown contenders tipped to succeed Postecoglou have had a middling Premier League season, free from the pressures of European football, albeit at smaller clubs with less demanding expectations. Meanwhile, potential foreign replacements failed to secure any trophies this season, unlike the Australian.
Any replacement could be a hard sell to a fanbase that has finally tasted success.
Retaining Postecoglou despite a disappointing Premier League performance, offset by a trophy win, could be seen as a risky move. However, replacing him also carries financial risks with no guarantee of securing the consistent Champions League football that Tottenham yearns for.
It's widely believed that Levy, who has been seeking investment for the club, is eager for a trophy win. The impending decision could provide more insight into the Spurs chairman's ambitions.
The future of the Australian manager remains uncertain, with most key figures currently enjoying their post-season break after an intense 60-match season. A mini transfer window opened on Sunday, keeping all eyes on the chairman and whether Spurs will revisit their strategy.