The Sun

It read: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride.

"The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime.

"Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget.

"That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream.

"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 the foundations that means this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success.

"I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. 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.

"It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis.

"And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years.

"A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special.

“We are forever connected. Audere est Facere.”

It read: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride.

"The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime.

"Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget.

"That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream.

"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 the foundations that means this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success.

"I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. 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.

"It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis.

"And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years.

"A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special.

“We are forever connected. Audere est Facere.”

It read: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride.

"The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime.

"Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget.

"That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream.

"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 the foundations that means this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success.

"I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. 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.

"It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis.

"And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years.

"A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special.

“We are forever connected. Audere est Facere.”

THOMAS FRANK is the front-runner to replace Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham after his brutal sacking.

And the Brentford boss might not be the only one switching West for North London this summer.

Spurs are yet to begin negotiations with Frank, who has a £10million release clause.

But the Bees are a selling club and the Dane may believe he has taken them as far as he can after two top ten finishes since their promotion in 2021.

Spurs chief Daniel Levy felt Europa League glory papered over the cracks of a disastrous domestic campaign and he will look to overhaul the squad.

With Champions League cash in the bank, Tottenham are set to spend big and SunSport have predicted how they could line up after Frank's overhaul.

Cristian Romero could leave and a new centre-back is needed as Spurs conceded a whopping 65 goals in the Premier League last term.

Marc Guehi is set to depart Crystal Palace as he has just a year left on his contract and would be a shrewd signing.

His calming presence and leadership is exactly what is needed and Spurs bid £70m for him in January.

Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur had mixed seasons and a partner for the talented Lucas Bergvall is needed.

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Frank could use his Danish links to bring in Morten Hjulmund.

The energetic all-action midfielder captains Sporting Lisbon and is loved by now Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.

Hjulmund is composed on the ball and gets stuck in, making him perfect for Frank's flexible systems.

Eberechi Eze has a £60m release clause at Palace and would be a luxury if funds are still available.

Spurs are likely to make Mathys Tel's loan move from Bayern Munich permanent for £45m and the position can be his with Son Heung-min departing.

On the other flank, Brennan Johnson can frustrate and Dejan Kulusevski has caught the eye centrally, opening the door for Tyler Dibling.

Relegated Southampton will sell the 19-year-old winger, who fits Tottenham's recent policy of signing talented youngsters.

Up top, Frank has transformed Yoane Wissa into a deadly striker and neither would decline a reunion.

He got 19 league goals last season and could be a summer bargain with just a year left on his contract.

Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney is destined for the Premier League and the 22-year-old is tidy in possession.

Having him next to the pressing machine Ederson from Atalanta would be ideal, but a deal for the Brazilian will be tough as he could cost £50m.

Frank could want to bring wingers Kevin Schade or Bryan Mbeumo with him to Spurs from Brentford.

Schade scored 11 goals last season and is one of the most improved players in the Prem.

SO, Daniel Levy did kill off his main character in the second season finale of the Ange Postecoglou show.

Postecoglou himself warned that could be the case just a day after teasing fans at Spurs’ Europa League-winning parade that he could stay on for a third campaign with a prestige-telly analogy.

The 59-year-old had told hundreds of thousands of delirious supporters lining the streets outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that in “all the best television series, season three is better than season two”.

It went down a storm, with many of those who had wanted the Aussie out for the woeful league form now fully behind him after he had ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought.

Their hope had been that Levy would perform a similarly emotional U-turn, and NOT go through with his pre-final plan of wielding the axe whatever the outcome in Bilbao.

How can he possibly ditch the guy who has delivered our first piece of silverware since the League Cup in 2008, and the first European trophy in 41 years, they asked themselves.

In fairness, Levy did pause for thought, albeit briefly.

But Postecoglou always knew the chances of the long-serving Spurs supremo doing an about-face were slim, given how their relationship had frayed in the previous months.

So it will have come as no surprise to the former Celtic treble-winner - even if it did to millions of Tottenham fans across the globe.

Levy turned to Postecoglou in the summer of 2023, after being snubbed by Arne Slot who had decided to stay at Feyenoord for one more season ahead of his switch to Liverpool.

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Postecoglou even described himself as “the last man standing” in the race to succeed Antonio Conte.

But the Athens-born Aussie, who had never previously managed in Europe’s top five major leagues before, got off to a stunning start by taking 26 points from his first 30 available.

That was despite the club selling their record goal-scorer Harry Kane to Bayern Munich on the eve of the season.

After an unbeaten first ten Prem games, Spurs were five points clear at the top of the table and anything seemed possible under Postecoglou.

Fans took to singing a version of Robbie Williams’ Angels regularly after matches, with the key lyrics altered to “I’m loving Big Ange instead”.

Levy seemed giddy with excitement too, proudly declaring at a fans’ forum in September 2023 that “we’ve got our Tottenham back” in reference to Postecoglou’s thrilling style of play.

But then came THAT 4-1 home defeat to Chelsea in November 2023 - the bonkers game Postecoglou may be best remembered for, even more so than the Europa final win over Manchester United.

Having had two men sent off and having lost James Maddison and Micky van de Ven to serious injuries, Spurs, amazingly, continued to attack and almost nicked a 2-2 draw.

But then Nicolas Jackson completed what was dubbed the worst hat-trick ever in injury-time - before Spurs were treated to a standing ovation by their fans as they left the pitch.

It was unprecedented - yet after that game, things were never the same.

Teams started to wise up to Spurs’ style of inverted full-backs and clever cut-backs - as well as exposing the gaps they left at the back.

Eric Dier, who left to join Kane at Bayern Munich in January, later claimed that Postecoglou “really doesn’t do barely any tactical work, what he does is every single training drill from Monday to Friday is drawn up to represent the way he wants to play.”

Van de Ven and Maddison being sidelined disrupted the team’s rhythm and they ended up being pipped by Aston Villa to fourth spot and Champions League qualification.

Injuries decimated Postecoglou’s squad in his second season - with the Aussie’s intense pressing style accused of being a contributing factor - and the league campaign began to unravel.

Raw teenage talent had mainly been added in the summer - although £65million was spent on striker Dominic Solanke - and it told.

Postecoglou hoped for more experience to be added in January but out of the three arrivals, only Kevin Danso fitted that description.

Spurs went on to finish 17th after losing 22 league games - the most a Prem team has ever managed and NOT been relegated - including embarrassing defeats to Ipswich and Leicester who both went down.

The AngeOut army grew among the fanbase, who had been irked by his misreading the previous season of their desire to lose against Manchester City to deny rivals Arsenal the title.

In another clash, Postecoglou mockingly cupped his ear in the direction of Spurs away fans at Chelsea in April.

But all was forgiven when he ended the trophy curse in Bilbao.

Ironically, it was done in a defensive style akin to predecessor Jose Mourinho, with the team having just 27 per cent possession and completing just 184 passes.

It was more Ange Wall than Ange Ball, which suggested Postecoglou was capable of adapting when many pundits suggested he could not.

That feat was not enough though to convince the higher-ups, who had not agreed with Postecoglou’s decision to prioritise the Europa League from February onwards.

It is understood the club began talking to representatives of other managers from the start of the year, underlining the shaky ground Postecoglou has been on for some time.

Now it has collapsed from underneath him, to his disappointment as he felt the job in N17 was not done.

But at least he walks away a hero, having finally changed the narrative to one of rare trophy success during the silverware-starved Levy story of the last 25 years.

FOLLOWING a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties.

Ange joined us from Celtic in the summer of 2023 and oversaw a period of change on the pitch, returning us to the attacking brand of football that has traditionally been associated with the Club, while writing a new chapter in our history by leading us to UEFA Europa League glory in Bilbao last month - an achievement that will live with us all forever.

We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the Club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw.

However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances - injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. 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.

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.

News on the appointment of a new Head Coach will be announced in due course.

ANGE POSTECOGLOU has been sacked by Tottenham despite ending the club's 17-year trophy drought.

Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao to lift the Europa League last month - sparking incredible scenes, both at San Mames and back home at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Postecoglou, 59, vowed after the match that he wanted to stay at Spurs, insisting his work was not "complete".

Nevertheless, chairman Daniel Levy has decided to end the Aussie's reign, with the club's dire Premier League form costing Postecoglou his job.

An excerpt of a Spurs statement read: "Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw.

"However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games.

"This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances - injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign.

"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."

An emotional Postecoglou said of his two-year stint in north London: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride.

"The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime.

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"Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget.

"That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream."

Tottenham finished the season with a 4-1 home defeat by Brighton that left them 17th in the table with 38 points - their worst in Prem history.

They fell six points short of their previous worst points tally of 44 in 1997-98.

Postecoglou's record in two years at Spurs reads 47 wins from 101 games, with a win percentage of 47 per cent.

As SunSport reported Fabio Paratici is to return to Tottenham as managing director and will play a key role in finding the club's next manager.

The Italian, 52, was the club's managing director of football between 2021 and 2023, before being forced to resign in April 2023 after beinghit with a two-and-a-half-year worldwide ban by Fifa due to financial malpractice at previous club Juventus.

Paratici is thought to be a fan of former Ajax boss Francesco Farioli.

Marco Silva, Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner are all thought to be in the frame.

Postecoglou's reign began amid a wave of optimism in North London.

He arrived at Tottenham in June 2023, having been poached from Celtic where he won back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles.

Postecoglou had initially appeared to be a breath of fresh air following the miserable reigns of Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte.

His tenure began in style as Tottenham made the club's best-ever start to a Premier League season.

Spurs won eight and drew two of their first ten Premier League games despite the exit of club icon and record scorer Harry Kane on the eve of Postecoglou's first match in charge.

They were top of the table until a crazy 4-1 home defeat by Chelsea and a slew of injuries in late October triggered a steady decline in form.

Tottenham finished fifth following a dismal end to the campaign, but many fans still felt optimistic about Postecoglou's tenure.

However, Spurs struggled with a long list of injuries this season and despite a landmark 4-0 win over champions Man City at the Etihad in November, they were frustratingly fragile domestically.

Following the City thrashing, Spurs won just one Premier League game in the next 71 days - and that was against Southampton - before eventually ending their barren run at Brentford in January.

'QUE SERA, SERA'

Postecoglou pleaded for patience amid a heavy injury crisis across the winter months.

And with his first choice defence and front line restored, he was able to guide Spurs to Europa League glory.

Following the final, Postecoglou said: "I would be disappointed if we don't continue on this path.

"It is difficult to buy into one person's vision. I have been a serial winner.

"I know people dismiss what I have won because it didn't happen here, but they were hard earned.

The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime."

Ange Postecoglou

"There is huge relief. You carry the weight of responsibility and 150 times I have been a spokesman for this club.

"There are no planned meetings. I'll go back to my hotel room with friends and family, open up a nice bottle of scotch, a massive parade on Friday, game on Sunday against Brighton and then holiday. Then que sera, sera."

Postecoglou added: "I know our league form has been unacceptable.

"But coming third was not going to change this football club, winning a trophy would, that was my ambition and I was prepared to wear it if it did not happen.

"People kept reminding me of it because we were getting closer but I'm happy with that."

TOTTENHAM are on the hunt for a new manager after sacking Ange Postecoglou.

Despite ending a 17-year trophy drought in spectacular fashion and bringing the club Champions League football, the Aussie has been ordered to empty his desk by Daniel Levy.

Included in the announcement, it said: "We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the Club.

"Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw.

"However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place."

Bookmakers talkSPORT BET have now SLASHED the odds of Brentford's Thomas Frank to replace Ange as the new Spurs boss.

The Dane is now comfortably odds-on at 1/2 to take over the Europa League champions.

That win on the continent had saved the club's season, ensuring Champions League football next term and papering over a poor domestic campaign.

But we shouldn't be surprised - he told us all he was going to win a trophy.

Speaking to Australian media after the season ended, Ange seemed defiant on his future, saying: "I didn't want us to just enjoy the moment, I also wanted us to think about what's next — don't settle for this."

The longer it went without any indication from the club, the more it looked like his job had also been saved by the European trophy.

Which was just as well, given he admitted putting the Premier League on the backburner to clinch silverware and give the fans something to cheer.

But despite a reported compensation payout of £4million, a total of 22 losses in the top flight left Levy with no other choice but to sack yet another manager.

Frank is now the 1/2 favourite with talkSPORT BET to be Spurs' new manager, which is a significant move for the market.

The current Brentford boss has developed a persona for fast, attacking football, highlighted by Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa's excellent scoring return in the league last season.

The Bees are now a stalwart in the Premier League under his stewardship and were even in the hunt for Europe going into the final weeks.

He has won 54 of his 152 league games in charge at the Gtech with 228 goals scored and 224 conceded in that period.

Marco Silva and recently-sacked Michael Carrick are joint second favourites but are big prices at 8/1.

Silva has been linked with the Spurs role for some time now, with Carrick having recently been sacked by Middlesbrough.

Oliver Glasner (12/1) was strongly linked with Spurs after guiding Crystal Palace to FA Cup glory but both he and the club have been adamant saying he'll remain in charge.

Xavi (14/1) and Scott Parker (20/1) have their admirers and have been linked but this opportunity looks set to pass them by.

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THE cost for Tottenham to sack Ange Postecoglou has been revealed.

The Aussie boss made good on his promise that he "always wins things" in his second season by lifting the Europa League trophy to end the club's 17-year trophy drought.

However, a 17th-placed finish in the Premier League backed up by 22 defeats - the most ever by a team not to be relegated - means Postecoglou is in a perilous position over his job.

Should chairman Daniel Levy opt to give Big Ange the boot, the decision will see the 59-year-old manager take home a compensation package worth around £4million.

And according to The Telegraph, that is ON TOP of the £2m bonus Postecoglou collected for winning the Europa League and getting the north London club into the Champions League next season.

Postecoglou has two years remaining on his Spurs contract, with the terms of his exit being decided before he signed his contract to take him to the capital from Celtic.

The report adds that the manager has now returned from holiday and should be receiving clarity over his position in the near future.

He appeared to hint he wanted to stay at Tottenham's trophy parade after he declared: "All the best TV series, season three is better than season two."

However, that decision will come down to Levy.

While sacking Postecoglou will take around £4m on its own, the total cost of then appointing a replacement could see Spurs splash out roughly £10m.

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Brentford's Thomas Frank is understood to be among the leading candidates for the position, along with Fulham boss Marco Silva.

While there is the headache over the future of the first-team coach, behind the scenes the club are also going through a major shake-up.

Levy, 63, has lost his right-hand woman in executive director Donna Cullen, who has left after 20 years of service.

Elsewhere, Ryan Mason has also left the club to further his managerial career by taking up the vacant position at Championship side West Brom.

They are set to be the first two of many departures this summer, which may include Postecoglou.

The shake-up also includes the appointment of Vinai Venkatesham as CEO, who previously served bitter rivals Arsenal in the same role.

Sources add these moves could be the prelude to majority owners Enic pumping fresh funds into the club.

TOTTENHAM legend Son Heung-min is set to leave the club, according to reports.

The Spurs skipper lifted the Europa League in what could prove to be his final appearance.

Son has been in North London for the last ten years, playing 454 games and scoring 173 goals.

But his time now appears to be up as Tottenham are looking to cash-in on him before his contract expires this time next year.

The Telegraph report that a sale would bolster their summer transfer budget and fund a squad overhaul.

Clubs from Saudi Arabia are interested in a deal for the Korean winger.

Chiefs view him as a "recognisable world star" that could boost the Pro League's growth in Asia.

The Sun exclusively revealed last week that Son was a target for the Saudis.

Tottenham triggered a one-year extension in the 32-year-old's contract in January.

Son's future may be on hold for now though as the club are yet to make a decision on who will manage them next season.

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Ange Postecoglou has not received assurances from above with the Aussie boss currently away on holiday.

The club have been talking to other managers like Brentford's Thomas Frank and Fulham's Marco Silva.