Ange Postecoglou’s time at Tottenham ended not quietly, but with a clear sign the board weren’t convinced. Even though he won the club their first trophy in almost 20 years, and their first European honour since the 1980s, he was still sacked. His exit has sparked fresh debate about what really counts as success in football today, and whether some managers are given a fair chance.
The former Celtic boss , who won a Treble and five trophies in two years at the Hoops, took that same belief with him to Spurs. Not long after arriving, Postecoglou boldly said, “I always win a trophy in my second season.” He kept his word, but it still didn’t change how the people in charge at the club saw things.
Postecoglou’s career has followed a familiar pattern, often a slow start that makes people question him, followed by results that prove them wrong. It was the case in Australia, where he built a winning team. It happened again in Japan, where he turned things around at Yokohama F. Marinos. And it was the same in Scotland, where many weren’t sure about him when he first joined Celtic. But every time, he made people sit up and take notice.
Just a few days before it was confirmed that Postecoglou was leaving Spurs, ABC released a detailed programme about his life and career. On the show, British broadcaster and talkSPORT presenter Max Rushden spoke about how people doubted Ange when he first took the Celtic job.
He said: “Success in Japan means nothing to people in Scotland. When he arrived, I think most of the reaction was ‘who is this guy?’.
“At Celtic, he was incredibly successful. The football that he played was classic ‘Ange ball’. Very exciting. Very dynamic. Very attacking.
“I think he won five out of six trophies. If you have real success in Scotland, then Premier League clubs do look at you. And, in 2023, Ange gets the Spurs job.”
Rushden’s comments got to the real issue: in top-level football, how things look can matter more than what actually gets done. At Celtic, Postecoglou didn’t just win games, he brought an exciting, attacking style that lifted the team. That’s what made him appealing to Spurs to begin with, even if that respect didn’t last long.
The big question now is what’s next for Postecoglou. At 59, he’s shown he can succeed in different countries and under serious pressure. What he achieved at Celtic, in particular, still stands out, not just for the trophies, but for the style and strength he brought during tough times.
His spell at Tottenham might have been cut short, but it followed a familiar theme in his career, he wins trophies and gives teams a clear identity, yet still has to fight to be fully recognised. If anything, this latest chapter only adds to the legacy he started building at Celtic.