Tottenham Hotspur have sacked Ange Postecoglou just two weeks after winning the Europa League and made Brentford’s Thomas Frank the main target for their new manager.
Postecoglou ended Spurs’ 17-year wait for silverware but did so during a torrid Premier League campaign where they finished 17th.
“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,” the club said.
“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.”
While aware of interest in their manager, it is understood Brentford have not yet had any formal contact from Spurs over Frank and the club are relaxed about the situation.
Were that to change, the club would leave it to the Dane to make a decision on his future – provided Spurs were able to agree a deal over compensation.
But one Premier League executive contacted by The i Paper counselled it would not be a done deal.
“Thomas is one of the smartest coaches out there and he’s working for one of the best run clubs in the club,” they said.
“I’m sure he’d want to know what Tottenham had planned before he made that kind of call.”
Meanwhile, The i Paper understands that Bournemouth are confident that Andoni Iraola will rebuff any approach from Tottenham, having held detailed talks with the club hierarchy on plans for the summer.
There have also been tentative discussions on a new contract as Iraola prepares to commit for another season at least.
Postecoglou declared himself a “serial winner” after the Europa League final win over Manchester United, but appeared to question chairman Daniel Levy’s own managerial selection process when adding: “Even Daniel said, ‘we went after winners, it didn’t work and now we’ve got Ange.’ But mate, I’m a winner.”
Now Levy has given the Australian the boot, the Europa League and a season in the Champions League were a parting gift but ultimately not enough to keep the 59-year-old in a job.
Spurs’ 22 league defeats was the most by a club in a 38-game Premier League season without getting relegated, and the joint-most in the club’s history, matching a tally from 1934-35.
Sacked Postecoglou: ‘We’ve laid the foundations’
In his own statement, Postecoglou said his overwhelming emotion was one of “pride”, calling the Europa League triumph “the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream”.
He added: “There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible.
“We have also laid foundations that mean this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success.
“I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters. I know there were some difficult times but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on.”
Thomas Frank incoming?
Spurs are believed to have made contact with the representatives of Thomas Frank, the current Brentford manager.
Frank took charge of Brentford in 2018 when the west London club were in the Championship, and since promotion in 2021 he has guided the Cherries to two top-10 finishes.
The Dane’s admirers have therefore grown in numbers, with Brentford largely punching above their weight given the financial resources of those below them.
Brentford finished 10th last season, 18 points clear of Tottenham, with Bryan Mbeumo scoring 20 league goals and Yoana Wissa 19.
Frank was therefore credited for softening the blow of losing striker Ivan Toney to Saudi Arabia, drawing praise for his pragmatic style and ability to foster a cohesive squad.
He signed a contract extension back in 2022, running until 2027, meaning Spurs may have to pay sizeable compensation to prise the 51-year-old away.
A sixth manager in six years
The next manager of Tottenham will become the fifth permanent appointment since Mauricio Pochettino was sacked in 2019.
Jose Mourinho lasted 86 games, Nuno Espirito Santo just 17, while Antonio Conte oversaw 76.
Postecoglou therefore became the first Spurs boss post-Pochettino to surpass the 100-game mark, totalling 101 during his two years in charge.
The Europa League final happened to be No 100, when Postecoglou’s side rallied and defied their league form to beat Manchester United 1-0 in a forgettable affair.
Postecoglou had insisted the Europa League was the priority from January, and during the trophy parade that followed, he told the gathering supporters: “All the best TV series, season three is better than season two.”
The Postecoglou show has since been cancelled, and despite delivering Spurs their first trophy since they won the 2008 League Cup under Juande Ramos, the cycle starts again.