The Independent

Son Heung-min hailed Ange Postecoglou as a “Tottenham Hotspur legend” as the club’s supporters’ trust expressed “concern” with another change in manager.

Postecoglou ended Spurs’ 17-year wait for silverware with Europa League success over Manchester United in Bilbao on May 21, but it failed to earn the Australian a third season.

A club statement on Friday announcing Postecoglou’s departure highlighted a woeful Premier League campaign where Tottenham finished 17th, which is their lowest top-flight finish since relegation in 1977.

Captain Son was one of several Spurs players to pay tribute to Postecoglou, writing on Instagram: “Gaffer. You’ve changed the trajectory of this club.

“You believed in yourself, and us, since day one and never wavered for a second. Even when others did.

“You knew what we were capable of all along. You did it your way. And your way brought this club the best night it’s had in decades. We will have those memories for life.

“You trusted me with the captaincy. One of the highest honours of my career. It’s been an incredible privilege to learn from your leadership up close, I am a better player and a better person because of you.

“Ange Postecoglou, you are a Tottenham Hotspur legend forever. Thank you, mate.”

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was Postecoglou’s first signing and said: “You are not only a top manager, you are an incredible person to work for, a real leader, a mentor, and someone I’ll always look up to.

“What we achieved together will stay in the history books. Wishing you nothing but success as I know you will go on to achieve more and more. Thank you, Boss.”

Dutch defender Micky van de Ven added: “Gaffer, thank you for everything! Believed in me from the first day I arrived at the club.

“Many ups and downs in the last two years but you kept believing in us and kept pushing us. Big part of the success from the club this year, and forever grateful that u made me part of it. All the best.”

Striker Dominic Solanke signed for Spurs last summer in a £65million deal.

He said: “Thank you for bringing me to this wonderful club, thank you for bringing us a wonderful trophy.

“(I) won’t ever forget the convo we had before I signed and we achieved a dream! All the best in your next adventure.”

Right-back Pedro Porro insisted the 59-year-old would “always be celebrated”, writing: “Thank you for everything, boss.

“I’ll always be grateful for the way you led us, defended us, and kept us going through all the highs and lows. Above everything, you gave us one of the greatest moments in the club’s history and for that, you’ll always be celebrated.”

Forward Richarlison added: “Everyone who loves the Spurs will remember that Big Ange always bags trophies in his second season.”

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust thanked Postecoglou for an “amazing night” in Bilbao but acknowledged league results were a “long way short” of expectation.

“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,” a THST statement read.

“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 17 years for more.”

He will always have Bilbao. The manager who, in his forties, was in charge of Whittlesea Zebras in the Melbourne suburbs won a European trophy 16 years later. No other manager has had a journey quite like Ange Postecoglou’s. But then no one has had a season the same as Tottenham’s, the club who recorded the lowest ever league finish of any side to lift continental silverware.

It was why the emotional choice would have been to keep Postecoglou. The rational one, delivered 16 days after Europa League glory, was to dismiss him. “One of the toughest decisions we have had to make,” Spurs said in their explanation, and easy a target as chairman Daniel Levy can be, he merits some understanding in this instance. Postecoglou ended a 17-year wait for a major honour and dragged Tottenham to a historic low. The impression in his heady first few months was that he was a manager who brought back the Spurs way.

Tottenham’s traditions involved being a cup team, but never this much of one, never as hopeless in the league. The ignominy of coming 17th could only partly be explained by a focus on Europe; they were 13th domestically even before playing a knockout tie in the continental competition. The probability is that any successor – and Thomas Frank is the frontrunner – will finish higher in the table but not win anything.

Postecoglou’s bravado in saying he always won something in his second season was justified and he called his sophomore year with Spurs “outstanding”; but it also stood out for many a wrong reason. Tottenham have never lost more league games in a campaign. Their 22 defeats included 10 on home soil; the supporters who pay for famously expensive tickets even saw Ipswich and Leicester win in N17. Their tally of 38 points was – if three were awarded for a victory in every season – Spurs’ lowest since 1914-15. It was underachievement on an extraordinary scale, given what is probably the seventh biggest wage bill, a gifted group of players and, despite Levy’s famous frugality, an outlay on transfers of around £400m over the last couple of years.

Feat that it was to claim European silverware, especially in the context of Tottenham’s inability to win anything since 2008, it only required one remarkable result, the away win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals. Even the final was against a Manchester United team who came 15th in England.

So Tottenham had to conduct an assessment of Postecoglou’s reign and the whole season. They cited his record over the 66 league games that followed the heady beginning of the first 10 that produced 26 points and a table-topping start. Those 66 matches produced just 78 points, an average of just 1.18 per game. Of the 17 clubs in the division throughout that time, only Wolves took fewer points, and by a mere one. Spurs conceded 116 goals in that time, 1.76 per match.

It underlined a design flaw in Angeball: an openness to the counter-attack. The warning signs were there in his debut campaign when, individually, the first-choice back four and goalkeeper all had fine seasons and yet Spurs were breached 61 times. When Angeball was at its best, it was brilliant; the 4-0 evisceration of Manchester City this season was football at a very high level. Yet there was no consistent formula to win games.

He was not the first managerial import to struggle against the Premier League’s middle-ranking clubs, to discover its strength in depth. Postecoglou also had other issues. He was irritated by suggestions that his training and tactics injured his players, but Tottenham struggled to compete on multiple fronts; they won the Europa League by sparing Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven Premier League duties. But, again, that blueprint scarcely felt repeatable as they enter a Champions League season.

Tottenham’s league form, ultimately, was impossible to justify. Postecoglou instead seemed to believe that his was the only team to suffer from injuries, as though everyone else could be judged by their results, but Spurs should not be. There were the car-crash post-match interviews of a manager who seemed to regard questioning of his methods and style of play as illegitimate.

On a personal level, he nevertheless merits considerable sympathy. The Europa League gives him a place in history: the third Tottenham manager, alongside the great Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw, to win European silverware, the first Australian coach to do so with any club. He released a dignified statement on his departure. “My overriding emotion is one of pride,” he said.

But one of the questions his employers had to answer was whether it would be substantially different if they persevered with Postecoglou for another year. To reframe it, and despite the Europa League, would another Premier League club appoint Postecoglou now? After all, if he took Tottenham to 17th, logic may dictate he could relegate a mid-table club.

If many a managerial appointment is the opposite of the previous one, it is notable those who have seemed on Spurs’ radar – Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, Oliver Glasner and Frank – have found ways to get results with lesser resources in England, to punch above their weight with the mid-table teams. But as he goes, Postecoglou can argue he was the antithesis of managers like Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte. Because none of them took a trophy to Tottenham. And he did.

Tottenham Hotspur have sacked Ange Postecoglou with the Europa League not enough to salvage his job after finishing 17th in the the Premier League.

Spurs lost 22 times in the league last term, falling well short of expectations, though Postecoglou inspired a famous run in Europe, snapping an 17-year run without silverware to guide the club to glory in Bilbao with victory over Manchester United.

Now Daniel Levy has opted to go in a different direction, with the likes of Brentford boss Thomas Frank and Fulham's Marco Silva among the main contenders.

With Spurs in the Champions League next season and a squad filled with talented players, it has suddenly become one of the most coveted jobs in Europe 16 days after that famous night at the San Mames. Here are the main contenders to succeed Postecoglou:

As things stand, the frontrunner to become Postecoglou’s successor at Spurs is Brentford boss Thomas Frank.

The Austrian has reportedly been sounded out as his replacement by Daniel Levy, who began to explore other options last week as talk of the Aussie’s departure began to heat up.

Frank has thoroughly impressed with the Bees since joining them in the Championship in 2018, guiding them to the Premier League before consolidating their status as a top-flight side - no mean feat in this era of near-inevitable yo-yoing.

Brentford finished the season in 10th - a staggering 18 points clear of Postecoglou’s Europa League winners - and will no doubt make life difficult in their quest to poach their manager. Frank still has two years on his contract so Spurs should be prepared to cough up compensation if they are to get him out of his current deal.

Another leading contender for the role is Fulham manager Marco Silva.

Similarly a proven Premier League manager with a strong CV in England, the Portuguese gaffer has undone the reputational damage suffered during a poor spell at Everton over the last few years at Craven Cottage.

Bringing Fulham back to the Premier League in 2022, he has quickly re-established the club as a force to be reckoned with after a couple of failed attempts at staying in the top-flight, and last season even battled for European qualification.

Silva has not outwardly expressed any desire to leave Fulham but could be tempted away if he feels he is not being backed in the transfer market.

This would be a major scalp for a floundering Spurs side - securing the services of one of the Premier League’s hottest managerial properties.

Oliver Glasner has transformed Crystal Palace in his season-and-a-half in charge, guiding them to a first major trophy in their history and subsequently putting them course (at least for now) for a European tour next season.

With an exciting, expansive style of football, the Austrian has won over both Palace fans and rival critics alike as the Eagles soared to their best ever points finish in the Premier League.

Tottenham would have their work cut out to convince Glasner that jumping aboard Tottenham’s sinking vessel is worth ditching a Palace project brimming with life.

The biggest name on the market, Tottenham could try and make a spectacular move for Barcelona legend Xavi.

The iconic midfielder waded into management in 2019, following a glittering career as a player that saw him lift eight LaLigas and four Champions League for the Blaugrana, on top of two Euros and a famous first World Cup for Spain.

After over two years plying his trade at Qatari side Al Sadd, Barcelona sought to get their former captain back and paid his release clause for him to replace Ronald Koeman.

He led them back to the LaLiga pinnacle 2022/23 season, but things turned sour in the season of his title defence. Off the pace in the hunt against Real Madrid, Xavi would eventually be sacked as Barcelona went into the final day of the season 12 points off their El Clasico rivals.

He’s remained jobless ever since but could make the bold move to Tottenham in an ambitious bid to rediscover his mojo in the dugout.

From searing ambition to a move most Tottenham fans would surely lament. One of the latest managers to become available, Tottenham could yet go in for one of their former players to try and steer the ship.

Michael Carrick was similarly dealt a P45 this week after failing to achieve a play-off finish with Middlesbrough for the second season running. However, his first season on Teeside was cause for optimism, managing a debut top-six Championship finish and providing hope that new managerial talent was blossoming.

Boro was also only his first full-time role in management, having spent a brief stint as Manchester United caretaker boss in 2021 following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

And with prior knowledge of the club, Levy could see the Premier League stalwart as the right choice to succeed Postecoglou, with the ex-midfielder having spent the vast majority of his 19-year career in England’s top flight.

Another potential contender to replace the Australian - while maybe a long shot - is Gary O’Neil, who has been out of work since being sacked by Wolves in December 2024.

The former Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and West Ham player, who started his coaching career as the assistant manager of Liverpool’s U23 squad, has previous experience with mid-table stragglers like Spurs this year.

He enjoyed a long spell at Bournemouth and was part of the backroom staff that oversaw promotion to the Premier League in the 2021/22 season, before taking charge first as interim and then permanent head coach by the end of 2022.

A promising start at Bournemouth - he was nominated for Manager of the Month in September 2022 - was replicated later at Wolves.

While in charge of both teams O’Neil oversaw a safe mid-table finish in his first season - 15th at Bournemouth, 14th at Wolves. He was sacked by the Cherries in the summer of 2023, despite securing safety, and took charge at Molineux in time for the 2023/24 campaign. But a dismal run of losses this season and a haul of just nine points by mid-December saw him sacked with the club firmly in the relegation zone.

Ange Postecoglou has said he and Tottenham fans will “forever” be “connected”, after the club sacked him as coach on Friday.

In May, Postecoglou guided Spurs to the Europa League trophy – their first silverware in 17 years – but also their worst-ever Premier League finish, as Tottenham ended up 17th.

The north London side lost 22 out of 38 league games amid that campaign, which also saw them exit the FA Cup to Aston Villa in January and suffer a thrashing by Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finals four days earlier.

Postecoglou, who joined Tottenham from Celtic in 2023, vowed: “I always win things in my second year.” And he did, but his stint at Tottenham has come to an end at the culmination of that second year, regardless.

“When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham, my overriding emotion is one of pride,” said the Australian, 59, in a statement via his agency CAA Base.

“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 foundations that mean 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 [to dare is to do].”

Tottenham’s own statement read: “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 just 16 days after ending the club’s 17-year wait for a trophy with Europa League glory.

Spurs finished in 17th place in the Premier League, having lost 22 of their 38 games, yet this domestic form accompanied a European campaign that culminated in victory over Manchester United on 21 May.

Tottenham triumphed 1-0 in Bilbao, where they secured their first silverware since 2008, as Postecoglou fulfilled a vow from earlier in the season: “I always win things in my second year.”

However, such a monumental achievement was not enough to save his job, with Daniel Levy making the decision to let the Aussie go ahead of a summer of wholesale change across key departments.

A statement issued by the club on Friday explaining the decision read: “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,” it concluded.

Postecoglou released a statement shortly after the club’s announcement, saying: “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 that 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 when trying to accommplish what many said was not possible.

“We’ve also laid the foundations that mean this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. I have enormous faith in this group of players and I know there is much more potential and growth in them.”

Postecoglou, 59, cut an increasingly frustrated figure over the course of the Premier League season, as Spurs struggled towards the relegation places.

In January, Postecoglou pointed to Tottenham’s wretched fitness issues as an explanation for their alarming league form and maintained that the club would be stronger when players returned, but results did not improve despite senior players becoming available again.

Instead, Tottenham recorded their worst-ever Premier League season, adding to their exit from the FA Cup against Aston Villa in January and a meek defeat by Liverpool in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals four days earlier.

Former Celtic boss Postecoglou went unbeaten in his first 10 games in charge, winning eight, and steered Spurs to the top of the league in November 2023 in an impressive start – despite losing the club’s record goalscorer Harry Kane that summer. But Postecoglou struggled to replicate those early highs, with his refusal to compromise on his attacking principles of play at times coming in for criticism from fans and pundits.

The mood among Tottenham fans soured after Postecoglou cupped his ear to the travelling supporters during the defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in April, and he later echoed former Spurs boss Antonio Conte’s final act as manager by urging the club to “stick to something”.

The Australian, however, seemed to win back many fans with the Europa League final victory, though he was coy on his future in the moments after the game. “I understand why it would be difficult for a club like this to buy into one person’s vision,” he said.

“I remember even when I signed, [Spurs owner] Daniel Levy said. ‘We went after winners and it didn’t work, now we've got Ange’. But mate, I’m a winner. I have been a serial winner my whole career. It’s what I have done more than anything else.”

Brentford boss Thomas Frank, Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Xavi, formerly in charge of Barcelona, are among those who have been connected with the role. Frank is thought to be the leading contender.

The next appointment will be crucial for the club as they bid to build on Champions League qualification and improve their Premier League position next season.

Tottenham Hotspur have explained the club’s decision to fire Ange Postecoglou despite the coach creating “one of the greatest moments” in the club’s history.

Last month, Postecoglou guided Spurs to the Europa League trophy – their first silverware in 17 years – but also their worst-ever Premier League finish, as Tottenham ended up 17th.

The north London side lost 22 out of 38 league games amid that campaign, which also saw them exit the FA Cup to Aston Villa in January and suffer a thrashing by Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finals four days earlier.

Postecoglou, who joined Tottenham from Celtic in 2023, vowed: “I always win things in my second year.” And the 59-year-old Australian did, but his stint at Tottenham has come to an end at the culmination of that second year, regardless.

“Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties,” Tottenham said in a statement on Friday (6 June).

“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.

Tottenham Hotspur are searching for their next manager after sacking Ange Postecoglou 16 days after he guided the club to Europa League glory.

Snapping a 17-year drought for silverware was not enough to extend his two-year stay at Spurs.

And after finishing 17th place in the Premier League, Postecoglou oversaw 22 defeats from 38 league games, despite the season culminating in victory over Manchester United on 21 May.

That unforgettable night in Bilbao for Spurs fans, securing their first silverware since 2008, validated Postecoglou’s vow from earlier in the season: “I always win things in my second year.” But a new chapter now awaits in north London, here are the latest odds for the next Spurs boss after Levy’s ruthless decision:

Odds via Betfair

Thomas Frank 3/10

Marco Silva 4/1

Oliver Glasner 9/1

Xavi Hernandez 12/1

Kieran McKenna, Andoni Iraola, Michael Carrick 16/1

“THIS IS THEATER” reads a message across the gigantic screen dominating the stadium, as an operatic violinist struts and saws her few minutes on the stage, around two-and-a-half hours into the barrage of glitz, glamour and belt-thumbing boot-slaps that is Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter show. And it’s a grand-scale theater (sic) of the absurd.

For a good decade now, Queen Bey has been a proud pioneer of pop music as progressive art, making wildly exploratory, shape-shifting and genre-splicing albums that have elevated the form and absorbed several others: queer culture dance music on 2022’s Renaissance, country on last year’s Cowboy Carter. Translating them into stadium and festival sets, though, has tended to result in bewildering bombardments of entertainment, and she do-si-dos into a damp Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight with her 10-gallon crystal crown apparently slipping.

A country chart hit, Cowboy Carter nevertheless sold a fraction of Renaissance and, though you wouldn’t know it from this packed and roaring house, rumours are that some of the six London performances of this three-hour pop opera in seven acts have struggled to sell. We like it, obviously, but perhaps we don’t want to put an entire Ring Cycle on it.

To be fair, the venue itself might bear some of the blame. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is, by some considerable distance, the worst venue for gigs in the capital – getting here and back is a challenge that would defeat any Race Across the World team, and the security screening is effectively a shakedown by a black-market umbrella syndicate. It’s saying something that the place is significantly more life-affirming when there’s football on; in the name of God, Live Nation, stop putting concerts on here.

Or maybe fans have caught videos of this dizzyingly expensive show from less attractive angles. Full disclosure: I wasn’t really at this gig. At best, tucked down one side of the stage, I was watching from the wings as Beyoncé and her troupes of sparkle-chapped hoedowners square-danced frantically for the wide-shot cameras. An entitled reviewer griping over a bad seat, yes, but from a vantage point that exposes just how poorly staged, plotted and designed the Cowboy Carter tour is.

The stage itself is essentially just an enormous changing room behind a screen that spans the field; a small triangular indentation in the middle houses some quite spectacular moments. Beyoncé rises atop a golden horse, or dons an LCD neon dress for “Daughter”, which must be breathtaking for the 65 per cent or so of the crowd that can see in there. The rest of the show is directed unwaveringly towards the large lyric autocue at the back of the stadium, and with conspicuous cameras everywhere and the bulk of Cowboy Carter’s 78 minutes performed over three hours, the effect is of being the studio audience at a hard-sell TV album showcase.

The Cowboy Carter material has its moments. A Motown big band is wheeled out on – I can attest – elegantly constructed scaffolding for “Ya Ya” before Beyoncé, in worryingly flammable fur trousers, finds herself sitting at a golden piano on fire. “Flamenco” opens with a four-part vocal harmony segment recalling the old Destiny’s Child magic; “Levii’s Jeans” closes with a stirring soul crescendo as our heroine leads a parade of strutting cowboy Magic Mikes around her stadium-length walkway. Beyoncé and her dancers display a variety of interpretations on the theme of “riding” their golden bulls on the R&B noir “Tyrant”, while the motherly folk of “Protector” becomes the centrepiece of a touching familial segment, as Bey is joined amid a pyramid of writhing nymphs by her daughters Rumi (aged seven) and 13-year-old Blue Ivy, who also steals several parts of the show as a solo dancer.

But the set’s kaleidoscopic, often quickfire mash-up of styles (electro C&W, trap, disco, hyper-diva-pop and more) becomes a formless mulch in such a boomy space. The seven acts, too, lack any thematic solidity, besides the “Revolution” section, which sees Beyoncé declaring “America Has a Problem” from a podium, covered in headlines and flanked by dancing newspapers. It’s a moment of focus for the political undercurrent of a show drenched in the sounds and images of Black pride: Gil Scott-Heron, Kendrick Lamar, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Hendrix’s “Star-Spangled Banner”, Carter family home videos.

Expensive, Lynchian visuals do little to aid cohesion. Why is Beyoncé sipping brandy on an alligator, watching a stack of TVs with a horse or waggling a diamante carrot at us? And when the old hits do finally, briefly come, they’re in disjointed snippet form, as with “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”, or in sluggish slo-mo (“Crazy in Love”). Ultimately, it’s left to a few show-stopping stadium gimmicks to make the evening: Bey flying over the crowd on a neon horseshoe on a thumping “Jolene”, or in a classic American car for “16 Carriages”. Yet, all the videos fans show each other on our hen’s-tooth train home look fantastic. I suppose you had to be there.

Ryan Mason has left Tottenham to take over as West Brom head coach on a three-year deal.

Mason quickly emerged as a leading candidate for the Championship club after they dismissed Tony Mowbray on 21 April.

Spurs' roller-coaster 2024-25 campaign - in which they secured Europa League success - only ended on 25 May and forced West Brom to bide their time but Mason, after a short holiday, decided to accept their offer and take his first step into management.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to have been appointed head coach of West Bromwich Albion," Mason told the club's website.

"This is a huge club with a fantastic infrastructure and an incredible fan-base and I am excited about what we can achieve together.

"Having spoken at length to the board and those at the club, I am convinced that Albion is the perfect place for me to be and I can't wait to get started.

"I will bring with me a huge amount of enthusiasm, dedication and ambition and look forward to a positive future together at such a fantastic club."

At the age of 33, Mason becomes the youngest boss in the Championship and this move ends his seven-year coaching career at Tottenham.

Mason, who progressed through Spurs' academy to play 70 times for his boyhood team, was forced to cut short his playing career in 2018 after he sustained a fractured skull in a Premier League match for Hull at Chelsea a year earlier.

A decade on from earning his solitary England cap against Italy, the London-born coach will embark on his first managerial role in the 2025-26 season.

Highly-rated coach Mason held talks with Belgian club Anderlecht in October before a mutual decision was made to remain at Spurs, which enabled him to play his part in the club's first trophy since 2008.

After two previous caretaker stints at Tottenham, including leading the club in the 2021 Carabao Cup final, Mason has long been tipped for a future in management.

Mason initially started coaching at youth level for Spurs upon his playing retirement before being promoted to Antonio Conte's coaching staff three years later, not long after a seven-game spell as interim boss.

Another caretaker role came in 2023 following Conte's departure before Ange Postecoglou kept Mason as part of his backroom team.

After a further two years as Tottenham first-team coach, Mason will take over West Brom after they finished ninth in the Championship.

Mowbray was dismissed in April after their play-off hopes ended despite only being hired in January to replace Carlos Corberan, who left to take over at Valencia.

Mason, whose contract at Spurs was up this month, will be tasked with leading West Brom back into the top flight for the first time since 2021.

PA

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