Tottenham fans have expressed their concern at “yet another change in direction” becoming a “habit” at the club as they paid tribute to the departing Ange Postecoglou.
Postecoglou was sacked as Spurs manager on Friday evening two years to the day since he was first appointed as the permanent successor to Antonio Conte, despite ending the club’s 17-year major trophy drought with victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final just two weeks ago.
The Australian ultimately paid the price for overseeing Tottenham’s worst-ever Premier League season in which they lost 22 of 38 games en route to finishing 17th in the table - one place above the relegation zone - and did not reach the 40-point mark.
In an official statement reacting to his dismissal, the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust (THST) hailed the former Celtic boss for providing them with memories to last a lifetime, though acknowledged that their Premier League struggles this term had been unacceptable.
“On behalf of our members and Spurs fans everywhere we would like to thank Ange Postecoglou for his passion and commitment during his two years at Spurs,” the THST said.
“The vast majority of fans will love Ange forever because of the incredible moments he gave us in the Europa League, culminating with our first trophy in 17 years and first European trophy since 1984.
“The memories of that amazing night in Bilbao and the victory parade will live forever in our hearts. They will become stories we will tell our children and our grandchildren.
“Spurs fans will understandably have different opinions on what comes next. Many would want to see whether Ange could have built on the new confidence he gave us and the players, next season.
“However the league results have been a long way short of what Spurs fans expect. We travel the length and breadth of the country to watch our team.
“We come from all over the World to support them. We pay amongst the very highest ticket prices in Europe. Twenty two league defeats in one season is not okay.”
The THST went on to express concern over another change in approach, with Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo, Conte and Postecoglou all now having come and gone since Mauricio Pochettino’s five-year stint at the helm was ended by his sacking in November 2019, plus interim coaches Ryan Mason and Cristian Stellini.
They called on the next manager to be fully backed in the transfer market this summer in order to build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts next season as they return to the Champions League, an ambition that Tottenham pointed to as a key factor as to why they felt a change was needed.
“Our concern now is that it appears we will have yet another change of direction and that this is something that is becoming a habit since we said goodbye to Mauricio Pochettino in 2019,” added the THST.
“We can only hope that the right decision has been made and that the new manager is fully supported by the Board and everyone at the Club to build on the cup success that Ange has lain. He will need the finances to build a strong squad that can challenge simultaneously on many fronts.
“We wish whoever is appointed well. Spurs fans have had a taste of glory and we don’t want to wait another seventeen years for more.”