Football London

Brentford boss Thomas Frank is the clear favourite when it comes to replacing Ange Postecoglou in the Tottenham hotseat. Despite guiding Spurs to Europa League glory last month, the Australian was dismissed from his job on Friday evening.

The decision has certainly divided the opinion of Tottenham fans and the reaction from a handful of players has been rather telling with many sending emotional messages on their Instagram accounts. Postecoglou's Tottenham tenure has come to an end, though, and that leaves Daniel Levy and the Spurs board with a huge call on their hands as they search for his replacement.

Frank is currently odds-on favourite for the Tottenham job after his sterling work with Brentford since replacing Dean Smith at the helm in October 2018. The 51-year-old has come in for so much praise in recent seasons after establishing Brentford as a Premier League club.

Frank's managerial counterparts have been very complimentary in regards to his work, with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola someone who has sung his praises. Back in September after City had secured a 2-1 win over the west London side at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola stated that Frank taking on one of European football's biggest jobs "is just a question of time" and it "is going to happen".

The Spaniard's prediction may well come true over the coming days if Tottenham are to appoint Frank in place of Postecoglou.

"They are an extraordinary team," said Guardiola on the Dane's Brentford team. "What they do always makes sense.

"Every corner is a headache. They are compact. This season, they have a high press. Thomas is one of the best."

When asked if he was surprised that Frank is yet to join one of Europe's top teams, he replied: "It is just a question of time. I'm good in a few things, one of which is reading when the manager is good. It is going to happen."

Guardiola added: "I am a big fan of Thomas Frank. I don't remember in eight or nine years have a team played the way they played. We were lucky with the deflection because they deserved 1-0.

"We struggled a lot to read when to shoot and press. We were lucky to find the goals but in the second half we were better and probably deserved to score more goals.

"We needed that to feel how difficult everything is, how difficult the Premier League is every game. People say City are so strong but the Premier League is so difficult. Today was the real proof.

"I am a big fan of Brentford. They play long balls but they have the ability to play as well. I give a lot of credit to my players, from where we come from in the past but to still be able to suffer. I prefer to win that way than four or five nil. We need that."

Tottenham have exercised the option to extend Ben Davies' contract by a further year. The Wales captain is now contracted at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until the summer of 2026.

Davies' deal was due to expire at the end of this month and he would have been able to leave on a free transfer come July 1 had Spurs not taken up their option to add an extra 12 months on to his contract. The 32-year-old had been linked with a summer move to Championship newcomers Wrexham but he will now remain a Tottenham player for at least another year.

A statement from Tottenham on Sunday morning read: "We are delighted to announce that we have exercised the option to extend Ben Davies' contract, which will now run until the summer of 2026.

"Now our longest-serving senior player, Ben joined us from Swansea City in the summer of 2014 and has been a constant, reliable presence in our squad ever since.

"He's currently up to 358 appearances in all competitions, level with the great Darren Anderton - making him one of only 29 players in history to have played 350 or more games for us.

"With 73 games under his belt in Europe, he's just three off the record for the highest number of European appearances in our history.

"Over the course of his 11 years here to date, Ben has scored nine goals and led the team out as captain on 13 occasions.

"On the international stage, the defender is rapidly approaching 100 senior caps for Wales and has represented his country at Euro 2016, Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup."

Last weekend Tottenham confirmed the departures of Fraser Forster, Alfie Whiteman and Sergio Reguilon following the conclusion of their contracts, with Timo Werner returning to RB Leipzig after his loan spell in N17. Tottenham now need to make a decision on whether Mathys Tel's loan deal becomes permanent ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Tottenham could find themselves in danger of losing some key players this summer, following the announcement of Ange Postecoglou's sacking.

Despite leading Tottenham to the Europa League trophy just over two weeks ago, Postecoglou has been sacked by chairman Daniel Levy, with Spurs' poor Premier League form a key reason behind the decision to let the Australian go.

Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League and finished with a record 22 defeats from their 38 games in the top flight. Ultimately winning the Europa League was not enough to save Postecoglou from the sack, with Levy waiting until the emotion of that incredible triumph died down before wielding the axe.

The problem Spurs may find now, however, is that some players may well decide that their time in N17 is also up. A report in the Telegraph suggested Spurs faced a player revolt, with many angry at the decision to let Postecoglou go.

Postecoglou was close to his players and regularly protected them during a difficult spell in 2024/25. A number even came out and expressed their desire to see the Australian stay at the club amid all the talk of a decision being made to sack him.

So who could go? football.london takes a look below.

Cristian Romero

The Argentinian World Cup winner is the first person on the list, given his links with a transfer away from the club already.

Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid both hold an interest in the centre-back and could face a battle to sign him this summer now.

Speaking in the aftermath of the Europa League triumph in Bilbao, Romero's message was quite clear. "I have no doubt that staying together led us to success. We must continue; this is the path."

That path has now been changed by chairman Daniel Levy and Romero may well look to follow Postecoglou out of the Tottenham exit door.

Pedro Porro

The Spanish defender was another public advocate for Postecoglou staying at Spurs. In an interview with the Guardian, Porro said: "Him continuing would be good for the dressing room. He has built a very good group and coaches also need time. In the league things didn’t go well but he makes you win a trophy.

“That’s important too. The people in the dressing room with weight have to understand that.

"I’m not going to lie, it did impact me to see [people say] they were going to sack him to be honest. I’m very close to him. He’s been an important coach for me and it’s thanks to him that I have brought out my [best] football these two years."

Porro was the first Tottenham player to send a social media message to Postecoglou following his sacking.

Son Heung-min

The Tottenham captain had his contract with the club extended by a further year, meaning he is tied down to the club until the summer of 2026.

But there has been plenty of speculation around his future, with a number of Saudi Arabia Pro League clubs interested in signing the South Korean.

Postecoglou made Son the captain at Spurs and in doing so he became only the third Lilywhites skipper to lift a European trophy aloft.

He is a Spurs legend, but could be coming to the end of his time with the club, ten years on from joining.

Ben Davies

This is one that may not be linked to Postecoglou at all, but Ben Davies is out of contract in N17 this summer.

The Welshman's contract at Spurs expires at the end of June and there are no talks over a new deal according to the payer himself. Speaking on international duty he said: "I don’t think there is anything to update to be honest."

The new Spurs boss will have a big decision to make and will have to do so quickly, too.

Mathys Tel

The Frenchman was brought to the club by Postecoglou, on loan in January from Bayern Munich.

There was plenty of talk around Tel's future in the January transfer window with a number of clubs interested in signing him and he needed to be convinced to join Spurs.

Postecoglou was at the heart of that discussion to get Tel to N17 and now he has gone it may well be that Tel thinks he does not want to stay in north London.

Spurs do have an option to buy Tel permanently, but there is no update on if that will be taken up and the new boss will surely have to make that decision now.

With just under two years to his name, Ange Postecoglou is the longest-serving Tottenham manager since Mauricio Pochettino. Since the turn of the millennium, only the Argentine and Harry Redknapp have been in charge of more games.

At just 101, it is not a figure to be massively proud of for chairman Daniel Levy. Since November 2019, Tottenham have had six different head coaches (both permanent and interim).

Since the Pochettino era ended, nobody has come close to equalling his level of consistency or challenging at the top of the Premier League. Postecoglou brought in the club's first piece of major silverware since Redknapp won the League Cup in 2008, but it was not enough to save his job.

Many at Spurs were already disillusioned throughout the 2024/25 season after Postecoglou's major dip in form from the middle of November 2023 extended into his second full year. Although anger was directed towards the Australian, Levy bore the brunt of the protests.

His running of Tottenham has come under increasing scrutiny. The decision to sack Postecoglou only adds to that but in reality, no matter what happened here, it was going to be divisive.

Stick with the former Celtic man and there would have been increasing pressure to go big in the transfer market and to try to ride the wave of European success. That brings with it immense challenges, including turning round the domestic form which led Tottenham to finish 17th last season.

The cycle that Spurs are in was predicted by Pochettino just months before he was sacked. He foresaw a 'painful rebuild.' Postecoglou had echoed that with his own talk of a cultural change in north London.

The contrast between Postecoglou and Pochettino is all the more apparent and relevant for Spurs because they are the two outliers across over a decade of managerial appointments. Both had highs and lows. They were both popular (for Postecoglou, only at times and with a section rather than an overwhelming majority), and saw attention diverted towards Levy rather than their own job.

Again, Postecoglou and Pochettino were picked out for their roles. Did Pochettino have the right mentality to be a winner? Was Postecoglou just too stubborn to achieve great things? What they did well, though, was unite Spurs in a big way when it mattered.

That is a large part of the draw back to Pochettino now. He is not in the club game as he works with the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) ahead of next summer's World Cup.

Pochettino left Chelsea last year after attempting a rebuild in testing circumstances. He has a tough test to satisfy American supporters now as well.

It leaves many to ask if he will come back. Luckily, Pochettino has been extremely open on the subject. Speaking earlier this year, he said: "To be honest, the day that I left the club always I was thinking one day to come back. It's not that I was thinking before the offer from the USA national team, I was thinking to come back.

"The day that I left I was thinking I would love to one day come back to Tottenham because like I told in the past, I said for me, I felt empty in the moment that I left. It was like an unfinished job and that is why. It's a feeling, it's a feeling, it's a dream.

"I don't know how you can take or I can explain or describe but I think for sure it's a club that is always going to be special for me. And I would like to one day to have the possibility again to try to arrive in a situation that we are back to finish in a different way."

Those quotes were put to Postecoglou shortly after. "Mauricio if he wants to come back, I hope it happens," he said with the usual abandonment and honesty. "We all have dreams and aspirations.

"I don’t feel disrespected and if you ask Mauricio Pochettino directly you will get a clear answer as to what his intent was. Nothing for me to be consumed with. More focused on making sure we win tomorrow."

Perhaps the most interesting part of Pochettino's words were his answer regarding Levy, who ultimately moved on from him in favour or pursuing 'win now' managers within half a year of Tottenham reaching the Champions League final. "He's always there - and he's going to be there," the former Southampton and Paris Saint-Germain boss said.

"It's another thing to take professional decisions. It's true after nearly six years with all we lived together, that was tough because of all the ups and downs and emotional things that we lived. I've seen always it's difficult in football that that doesn't affect all this type of situation in your relationship.

"For us, we split very well. One thing was professional, another personal and now, like the day after we left, we keep always a very, very good relationship."

That is typically measured from Pochettino. Should we expect anything soon, though? Even if Levy would consider Pochettino, maybe not.

"Look, when I left the club I always remember one interview [where] I said I would like one day to come back to Tottenham and that is of course [true, but] I am in the USA," he explained. I am not going to no, I'm not going to talk about that, but what I said then still after six years or five years, I still feel in my heart that, yes, I would like one day to come back. We see the timing, like Daniel said."

His plan for the next year or so remains clear. "I think being the national coach or head coach of the USA with the World Cup in 2026, I think for a coaching staff like us, after too many years working in clubs, I think it was a great opportunity for us to challenge ourselves, and to know how to discover and to learn doing things in different ways.

"I think it was a great opportunity, and that is why we started to pay attention and when the offer arrived, I think that it was easy to say yes. I think to host the World Cup is an amazing experience. Then with the country that we are talking about, the USA, I think that it's amazing."

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly joined the race to sign Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.

Spurs are still dealing with the aftermath of Ange Postecoglou's sacking as the club's manager - earlier this week - but are also being linked with new signings that could move to north London.

A host of names have already been linked with potentially replacing Postecoglou as the new Tottenham manager, with Brentford's Thomas Frank one of the front-running candidates if reports are to be believed.

A report in The Mirror has claimed that Tottenham are now expressing an interest in snapping-up Mbeumo - from the Bees - while the player is also wanted by Manchester United.

The article has claimed that Frank has 'instructed' Spurs that he wants the club to sign Mbeumo if he's to become their next manager.

Mbeumo is said to be valued by Brentford at around £60million and he has been heavily linked with a move away from the Gtech Community Stadium this summer.

The last couple of weeks has seen Man Utd emerge as favourites to get a proposed deal over the line - but now it seems that Tottenham could make a good case to sign the Cameroon international.

Mbeumo enjoyed his best goal-scoring season last term with 20 goals in the Premier League, pus eight assists.

That form saw him finish fourth in the Golden Boot race in England's top-flight - behind only Mohamed Salah (29), Alexander Isak (23) and Erling Haaland (22).

Even though Tottenham are still searching for a new manager, they might have a clear advantage over Man Utd in the race for new signings, such as Mbeumo. Spurs will be in the Champions League next season, which they earned - incidentally - after beating the Red Devils 1-0 in the Europa League final in Bilbao last month.

A number of Saudi Pro League clubs would be more than happy to take Son Heung-min in the summer transfer window if Tottenham Hotspur decide to cash-in on their captain, as the end of his contract nears.

But some fans in football.londoncomments section are adamant that the club should fight to keep their man. Heung-min has been a fixture at Spurs for the past decade, giving his best years to the club and racking up over 450 appearances for the team.

His displays over these years have seen him hailed as one of the greatest players to have ever come out of the continent of Asia, and he captained the team to the Europa League trophy win. The forward was handed a one-year extension this season, which will take him up to the summer of 2026.

At 32-years-old, any move would be the last big one of his career and there are Saudi Pro League clubs who would like to take him - and his considerable South Korean following - to the Middle East. Some fans reckon he should live out the rest of his best playing days at Spurs - and they want the club to know that.

Reader Demosth says: "Son's stats are still unbelievable. Top in goals and assists, top in big chances created, key passes and add that all the own goals he 'created', one could easily argue for him to be Player of the Season, no matter what some may believe.

"Also, his pressing is second to none. Just watch the games to see that he presses fast and when needed.

"We have got to keep our best and most experienced players. We need them to build further and teach the new generations how club legends are made and what sacrifices are needed. Son is priceless to the club."

HonestTruth10 reckons there is no substitute, adding: "This guy, like Harry [Kane], has been a legend at the club. We've had some world-class players who've left and what a shame they didn't win anything.

"I know Son isn't the Son of old, but I'd love him to stay just for one - possibly two - more seasons. I'll say this, I'd have him over Mathys Tel any day of the week.

"Son is worth more to us than him and would bring more to the team still than the young kid!" Clive Crook writes: "Tottenham must keep Sonny, that's the least they could do for the service he has given to the club... He's so good with everyone at Spurs and the supporters. It will be a very sad day when our golden boy has to leave."

Thebusman agreed: "Keep him as club captain and a squad player, for everything he brings to the club, and the South Korean financial interest as much as anything else." Despite the sentiment towards him, others reckon he should get a move if he wants one.

ABorg wrote: "Reluctantly, I think it's time for Sonny to leave. He'll get a great deal when he signs and, hopefully, we'll get a decent price when he goes too.

"One thing that we must do is see Son off only how Spurs could. We need to show him the love he deserves, we never really got the chance to see off Harry the way we would have liked, so we mustn't make that same mistake again. He deserves at least that."

Usfan continued this opinion, writing: "Holding on to Son, as unfortunate as it is, does no good to the team, and that doesn't make any sense. It was very obvious this past season that he's not the player he used to be.

"There is not much left in the tank. If a decent offer comes from the Saudis - and he has no objection to moving there - then it's time to cash-in.

"Again, only if he agrees to it, because, as it has been mentioned here, he deserves to choose his own path - he earned it." Spurstick adds: "For £50m, Son can leave. He has offered so much for Spurs already, let him leave as a legend gracefully."

Pop sensation Robbie Williams aimed a trademark cheeky dig at Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night during the first night of his stay in London.

Williams was performing on the pitch at the Emirates Stadium on the second night of his European tour that shall also visit the homes of Ajax, RB Leipzig and Espanyol. The 51-year-old, who supports newly promoted League One club Port Vale, took the opportunity on stage for some football-related audience participation.

The Take That member began by asking Arsenal supporters in the crowd to cheer if they supported the Gunners. He then asked those who don't support Arsenal to boo.

Following this, Williams rhetorically asked the crowd: "How far away are Arsenal from a European trophy," to which he replied: "Four f****** miles," which gained a cheer from the audience as the singer waved that off to suggest he was only joking.

Williams' comment was of course referencing Arsenal's fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur who won the Europa League last month against Manchester United. The Gunners meanwhile finished the campaign empty-handed but did finish 34 points above Spurs and qualified for the Champions League.

Despite his dig at Arsenal, it appears that Williams enjoyed his gig at the Emirates Stadium, taking to X to write: "London, that was a phenomenal show last night… See you again tonight for BRITPOP round 2. Rob x."

The singer will complete his residency at the Emirates Stadium tonight before his tour moves on to Manchester's Co-op Live Arena on Tuesday night. Williams' next appearance at a football stadium will be on Thursday, June 19 when he plays FC Copenhagen's Parken in Denmark.

Lucas Bergvall held Ange Postecoglou like a father. He wrapped his arm around this manager and turned towards him, beaming. On Postecoglou's left shoulder, Bergvall's hand rested for support. They are on the platform ready to lift the Europa League, Tottenham's first piece of competitive silverware for 17 years.

It is Postecoglou who has trusted Bergvall more and more throughout the season, taking him from Premier League newbie to emerging star. This is how the teenager repaid that love and faith.

Postecoglou is not, quite ironically, an arm-around-the-shoulder manager. He can be distant and blunt. This feels in contrast to the rousing speeches he gave to the Spurs players and brutal honesty he showed with the media.

The 59-year-old is so expressive and has such strong uncle vibes that it can be hard to imagine him not giving back to those who he spends so much time with. That is not how he prefers to operate, though.

Bergvall's youthful response is one way the players showed their thanks to Postecoglou. Others had different methods. James Maddison, for example, was there with the banner of his coach. "I don't usually win things, I ALWAYS win things in my second year," it said.

Quoting Postecoglou's now etched in folklore statement to Sky Sports, it is the sort of thing seen on social media rather than by professional players. Postecoglou was edited into a pair of cartoon glasses as he smiled with the Europa League trophy.

This display was clearly made before the final. Pedro Porro's decision to jump on his manager's back, a la Bobby Moore winning the World Cup, as he punched the air in celebration, was quite the image as well. Many will ask where this devotion and outpouring of emotion had been throughout the start of the Premier League season. No matter the results, though, Postecoglou never lost the changing room.

He constantly defended them in press conferences. He took the headlines, shielding his players and staff from the scrutiny. That trust paid off with Spurs always holding a belief that their European season would end in glory even if it meant essentially throwing away league matches in the process.

It was a call by Postecglou, as he rotated the team to keep things fresh for the more important midweek commitments, which paid. Not everyone was on board with it in north London but the players did not waver.

Postecoglou stood by the youngsters as he fielded midfielders Archie Gray and Bergvall in defence. He was staunchly behind Mathys Tel after his loan move, and Guglielmo Vicario was consistently praised for having such a caring soul.

The tactical side to his game, which was daring, entertaining, and brave, may have been widely panned, but Postecoglou's man management cannot be doubted. No matter what happened in this season for Tottenham on the negative side, there was reciprocal support from the pitch to the dugout.

Postecoglou was there to take the daggers and accept blame when it came. Now he has been sacked, Daniel Levy will have questions to answer because the Tottenham players have come out loudly to thank Postecoglou.

The wave of fan dissatisfaction at the decision to move on from Postecoglou was scarcely believable even two months ago. Many will have gone into the final in Bilbao expecting to still be Postecoglou Out with victory only to be turned by the sheer emotion of it.

As mentioned, the players managed to ignore the noise and delivered a strong defensive display. They showed heart and solidity in the run to the final and then more.

It shines through in the way that almost every first-team player has already written about Postecoglou online. Porro was the first to speak out.

"Thank you for everything, boss," he posted on Instagram alongside images of the pair hugging and celebrating throughout the season. "For mentoring me early on, helping me settle into the club, and trusting me out on the pitch. 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. Wishing you all the very best, boss [white heart emoji]".

Club captain Son Heung-Min also went before long. He had started to be phased out by Postecoglou after dropping in form and hitting patches of injury, but it did not mean his words were diluted.

"Gaffer," Son started, "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."

Notably, Son closed out: "Ange Postecoglou, you are a Tottenham Hotspur legend forever. Thank you, mate. [white heart emoji]"

James Maddison, who was one of the biggest success stories under Postecoglou in the first few months of his tenure, wrote even more. "Gaffer, where to start," he posted on Saturday afternoon, almost a whole day on from the news that Postecoglou was being dismissed.

"Firstly, thank you for bringing me to this wonderful club that I now call my home. Your instant belief in me to not only sign me but make me the clubs vice captain & part of the leadership group from the get go is something I’ll always be thankful for.

"Secondly for the Europa league campaign that started in our stadium on gameweek one and finished perfectly with that special night in Bilbao. You led us to victory and we’re European champions and in this clubs history books because of you and your winning mentality.

"Lastly and most importantly is how you are as a man and a person. Your unwavering self belief and strong mindset is infectious and a massive reason in why you were the man to end this clubs 17 year drought for a trophy.

"A family man with great morales & I have honestly learnt so much from you. More than you will probably ever know. All the very best.

Madders [white heart emoji]".

This is far from the end of the messages. Listed below is a roundup of how the Tottenham players responded on Instagram to the news.

*Editors note: These have been taken directly over from Instagram. The occasional spelling and grammar mistake are as written by the player*

Lucas Bergvall: "Thank you for everything you have done for me. Thank you for bringing this club a European trophy and memories to last a lifetime for us and every Spurs fan around the world. Wishing you all the best [white heart emoji]".

Micky van de Ven: "Gaffer, Thankyou 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 [white heart emoji]".

Richarlison: "Mister, massive thanks for helping me out and believing in me during one of the trickiest periods of my carreer and my life. Everyone who loves the Spurs will remember that Big Ange always bags trophies in his second season. We’ve made history! Cheers and good luck on your journey! I’ll always be rooting for you [prayer hands and clapping emojis]".

Guglielmo Vicario: "Boss, I just want to say a massive thank you for everything you have done for me and for all of us. From that very first call, right from the beginning, you always showed so much belief in me.

"Giving me the opportunity to be part of the leadership group… those moments, and many others, will stay with me forever. 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. Forever grateful, Vic."

Dominic Solanke: "Thank you for bringing me to this wonderful club, thank you for bringing us a wonderful trophy, Won’t ever forget the convo we had before I signed and we achieved a dream! All the best in your next adventure [prayer hands and white heart emojis]".

Brennan Johnson: [Posted to his story] "Thank you for everything gaffer. [white and blue heart emojis]

Destiny Udogie: [Posted to his story] "A lot needs to be said, but I just want to thank you for the work you did and for believing in me over this past 2 years. I wish you the vert best for everything that's coming your way [prayer hands emoji]"

Mikey Moore: [Posted to his story] "Thank you for everything boss [white heart emoji]"

Pape Matar Sarr: "To the boss, thank you for being a part of my journey. You have made me a better player, a better man and most of all you made history with every single one of us. For that, I will always be grateful. Wish you all the best gaffer [prayer hands and white heart emojis]"

Kevin Danso: "Thank you for everything, Gaffer. We’ve accomplished something special [trophy emoji]. Wishing you nothing but the best for your future [prayer hands emoji]".

Archie Gray: [Posted to his story] "Thank you for everything gaffer [white heart emoji]"

Radu Dragusin: [Posted to his story] "Thank you for everything,Gaffer"

Ange Postecoglou has been sacked and Tottenham once again start the all-too familiar search for a new head coach.

Whoever comes in will be chairman Daniel Levy's fifth permanent manager in the last six years, following plenty of tumult since Mauricio Pochettino's removal from the role in 2019.

Postecoglou was well liked in the Tottenham dressing room and there has been a huge outpouring of support for him in the aftermath of the decision made on Friday evening.

Pedro Porro, Son Heung-min, Micky van de Ven, Lucas Bergvall, Richarlison, Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, Dominic Solanke, Mikey Moore, Kevin Danso, Pape Matar Sarr and Brennan Johnson have all taken to social media to give their thanks to the Australian.

Others may have posted and more may well do so in the coming hours and days, such was Postecoglou's popularity.

And it is his popularity - and ultimate sacking - that may well lead to certain players deciding to follow him out of the exit door and leave the club too.

One of those is Cristian Romero. He has been linked with an exit from Spurs a number of times already, with Real Madrid linked with making a move for him, while rivals Atletico Madrid have also shown an interest recently.

Romero enjoyed working with Postecoglou, who made him vice-captain in N17, and the Argentinian had looked set to stay at the club, but that position may change now.

And he has already hinted at a transfer decision in what he said after the Europa League final win over Manchester United.

Romero said: "I have no doubt that staying together led us to success. We must continue; this is the path."

That is no longer the path, because Postecoglou has been sacked and Romero may well think his time in north London is up now too.

Daniel Levy has a big decision to make at Tottenham.

Having sacked Ange Postecoglou on Friday evening, the Tottenham chairman is now on the lookout for his fifth permanent manager in six years.

Postecoglou spent exactly two years in the job in N17, becoming only the third manager in Spurs history to win a European trophy, having guided the team to Europa League success over Manchester United in Bilbao.

There are plenty of names in the frame to replace Postecoglou in north London, with Thomas Frank and Marco Silva the top contenders for the job, according to the bookmakers.

But there is one name that will always be synonymous with a Tottenham managerial search - Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino spent five years with Spurs, from 2014 to 2019, and was one of the most successful managers in recent times, without winning a trophy.

The Argentinian was much loved in N17 and hugely popular with those behind the scenes at the club and the supporters.

He has openly admitted that he still has huge affection for the Lilywhites, and has said he has unfinished business at Spurs. Speaking in an interview earlier this year, Pochettino said: "I remember one interview I said I would like to come back to Tottenham. Still after six years or five years, I still feel in my heart that one day I would like to come back, we will see with timing.

"I would like one day to come back. Not because of my ego, it is because my feeling is I would like one day to win with Tottenham. We were so close and it was so painful."

Pochettino is as low as 10/1 and as high as 25/1 to replace Postecoglou at the helm. Given his current job with the USA men's national team, and a World Cup in 2026 taking place in the USA, Canada and Mexico, any move to bring Pochettino back is highly unlikely.

But that will not stop the links.

Pochettino wants to return, as long as the timing is right and it is clear the timing is not right currently. But links will not go away all the while Spurs need a new head coach.

Levy will not like admitting he has made a mistake and bringing Pochettino back will signal that he may have made a mistake in letting him go in the first place.

Pochettino would be a hugely popular appointment and Spurs were in talks to bring him back to the club in 2021, just two years after he was sacked, when Spurs eventually moved to bring Nuno Espirito Santo to the club.

There is no indication that Levy will make the phonecall to Pochettino to see if he wants to return this summer, but what is clear is that the Argentine will continue to be linked with a return to N17 every time the managerial position is vacant. And that will only end when he finally agrees to take the hotseat in the home dugout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium once more.