Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has apparently learned how much it would cost to sack Europa League-winning head coach Ange Postecoglou.

While the first summer transfer window is now open, all of the talk coming out of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has unsurprisingly been about the future of Postecoglou.

The former Celtic boss fulfilled his second-season trophy prophecy in the Europa League, but at the same time, his side suffered their worst-ever Premier League finish.

The Lilywhites only finished above relegated trio Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town, and they also set a new record for the most Premier League games lost in a season without being relegated (22).

Nevertheless, ending Tottenham's 17-year trophy drought may be enough to see him avoid the chop in the eyes of some, although Spurs' disastrous Premier League campaign could see Levy think differently.

Spurs 'must pay £4m' to sack Postecoglou

The Spurs chairman committed to a long-term project with the Australian when he hired him from Celtic in 2023, handing him a four-year contract running until the summer of 2027.

With two seasons left to go on that deal, Postecoglou would therefore be in line for a hefty compensation package if Tottenham decided to terminate the agreement halfway through.

According to The Telegraph, Levy would have to stump up £4m to give Postecoglou his P45, on top of the £2m bonus that the Australian pocketed for his Europa League triumph.

The Tottenham boss jetted off on a family holiday after leading Spurs to continental glory, but the report adds that he is now back in the UK and will not be in the dark about his future for much longer.

The 59-year-old has overseen 47 wins, 14 draws and 40 losses from his 101 matches in charge of Spurs, who have already lost one of their main coaches this summer.

Postecoglou's former right-hand man Ryan Mason - who also enjoyed two stints as interim Spurs manager in 2021 and 2023 - recently left the club to take on the position of West Bromwich Albion head coach.

Who are Spurs' leading contenders to replace Postecoglou?

Tottenham chairman Levy appears to be sticking close to home to find the perfect Postecoglou replacement, and Brentford's Thomas Frank is said to be at the top of his list.

The Bees boss has masterminded his team's rise from a Championship side to a top-half Premier League outfit, but like Postecoglou, the 51-year-old is also contracted to Brentford until 2027.

As a result, Tottenham will have to pay to sever Frank from his Gtech Community Stadium deal, meaning that the total cost of firing Postecoglou and hiring his replacement could hit the £10m mark.

Tottenham Hotspur are said to be determined to sign Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite now that they have secured Champions League football.

Despite finishing in 17th place with just 38 points in the 2024-25 Premier League season, Spurs' victory against Manchester United in the Europa League final in May means they have the opportunity to reset having cemented their place in Europe's top club competition.

Tottenham's reset may include parting company with boss Ange Postecoglou, who could be replaced by Brentford manager Thomas Frank if rumours are to be believed.

Regardless of who is in the dugout next term, Spurs will be an attractive destination given they can offer players the opportunity to play in the Champions League.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the Londoners are keen on trying to bring Everton centre-back Branthwaite to the club, with the report also suggesting they are willing to battle Chelsea for his services.

What would Branthwaite offer?

One of Branthwaite's biggest strengths is his ability to aggressively combat opposition forwards, with his 6ft 5 inch frame helping him win duels.

In fact, the 22-year-old won 69% of his ground duels in the league last term, whereas Virgil van Dijk only won 62% of his ground duels with Liverpool.

His ground duel win percentage is also better than Cristian Romero (64%) and Micky van de Ven (48%), and his arrival would be welcome considering Spurs have struggled at the back for some time.

Tottenham conceded 65 goals in the Premier League in 2024-25, a return that made them the division's fifth worst defensive side, so it is no surprise that the Londoners would be interested in making additions in defence.

Can Spurs win the race?

If Spurs are to win the race for Branthwaite's signature, they will need to have clarity about the future of Postecoglou sooner rather than later, especially as other interested parties could quickly make a move.

Chelsea have spent significant sums on transfers in the past seasons under the direction of Todd Boehly, and the Blues could take advantage if Tottenham fail to resolve their managerial situation.

Failure to reinforce the team's defence could prove costly, and the Spurs hierarchy must make sure that the squad are in a position where they are able to compete.

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that assistant manager Ryan Mason has left the club to take on the role of head coach at West Bromwich Albion.

The 33-year-old's exit brings the curtain down on a seven-year spell as a Tottenham coach, having returned to coach the Lilywhites' youngsters in 2018 after his premature retirement as a player.

Mason worked his way up the coaching ladder and was appointed caretaker manager of Spurs in the 2020-21 season following Jose Mourinho's exit; his second game was a 1-0 loss to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final.

The Englishman stayed on as part of Antonio Conte's backroom staff, and when the Italian and his right-hand man Cristian Stellini left the club, he subsequently took the reins again on an interim basis in the closing stages of the 2022-23 season.

Postecoglou's arrival saw Mason once again drop back down to the role of assistant manager, helping the Australian end Spurs' 17-year trophy drought with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the 2024-25 Europa League final.

Daniel Levy speaks out on Mason's Tottenham exit

Now seeking to launch his own head coach career, Mason has departed Spurs to become West Brom's new first-team manager, and Daniel Levy expressed his gratitude to Mason upon confirmation of his exit.

"Ryan has been an integral part of Tottenham Hotspur for a number of years, both as a player and a coach," Levy told the official Spurs website. "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Ryan for all his dedication and hard work over the years, and we wish him every success for the future."

Mason has agreed a three-year contract with West Brom, who had four different managers in the 2024-25 season; Carlos Corberan, Tony Mowbray, Chris Brunt and James Morrison, the latter two of whom worked on an interim basis.

Speaking to wba.co.uk for the first time after his arrival, Mason said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to have been appointed Head Coach of West Bromwich Albion. 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."

The Baggies finished ninth in the Championship table last season, missing out on a spot in the playoffs by just four points after drawing the second-most games out of all teams (19).

What about Postecoglou's future?

Few would have batted an eyelid if they were told a Tottenham first-team coach would go this summer, but while Mason has moved on to pastures new, Postecoglou is still employed.

The ex-Celtic boss is anxiously awaiting to learn whether Levy will stick or twist, although it has been claimed that the Tottenham chairman has decided to sack the manager.

However, other outlets have reported that Levy is yet to make a final decision, and as far as Postecoglou is concerned, he is simply trying to enjoy his family holiday and will plan for next season as if he will be in charge unless he hears otherwise.

The Australian still has two years left to run on his Tottenham contract, meaning that he would be in line for a sizeable compensation package if he is fired this summer.

The first summer transfer window of 2025 has now opened, but Tottenham Hotspur fans would be forgiven for not knowing, as all the talk coming out of Hotspur Way has been about the future of head coach Ange Postecoglou.

However, once Daniel Levy has decided to stick or twist with the Europa League winner, attention will immediately turn to squad improvements for 2025-26, and lord knows they are needed.

Tottenham may have conquered the continent in the secondary term in 2024-25, but if they are to be taken seriously in the Champions League and finish higher than 17th in the Premier League table, additions must be made across the park.

Here, Sports Mole takes a deeper dive into Spurs' 2025 summer transfer window, including their top targets, budget, most likely signings and priority positions.

Tottenham's top targets for 2025 summer transfer window

© Imago

Despite making unwanted history last season - setting a new record for the most defeats in one Premier League season without being relegated - Spurs' Champions League participation is a huge box ticked when it comes to seducing transfer targets.

The Lilywhites appear to be looking relatively close to home at the moment, as Crystal Palace's £60m-rated playmaker Eberechi Eze is understood to be a prime target, albeit one that they will no doubt face intense competition for.

At the other end of the Selhurst Park pitch, Spurs have apparently been monitoring England international defender Marc Guehi for some time, while Monaco's Vanderson and Genoa's Koni de Winter have also been name-checked.

Southampton's relegation from the Premier League could also trigger a tense transfer tussle for Tyler Dibling, another attacker thought to be on Tottenham's radar and one whom they could potentially sign for around £55m if they can fend off the competition.

An audacious free transfer for Bayern Munich's Leroy Sane has also been mooted, but the German's agent recently suggested that contract talks with the Bundesliga champions are heading in the right direction.

Tottenham budget for 2025 summer transfer window

© Imago

Spurs did their transfer kitty no favours by only finishing above the three relegated teams in the Premier League table, but Europa League glory brought with it huge financial benefits.

As well as £5m for beating Manchester United in the final, Tottenham also pocketed £16m for qualifying for the Champions League, and they were able to spend close to £150m last year without making it to Europe's top table.

While Levy has always been perceived as a frugal overseer who fails to back his managers properly, the Tottenham chairman should sanction another spending spree of around £100m or £150m, although those plans are on ice until the final verdict on Postecoglou is delivered.

Spurs cannot sell a Harry Kane for £90m to raise funds this summer, but the possible departures of Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Bryan Gil and Manor Solomon - alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's permanent switch to Marseille - will boost their coffers even more.

Tottenham's most likely signings for 2025 summer transfer window

© Imago

Tottenham have already opened their chequebook once in the current window, confirming that Kevin Danso's loan from Lens has been converted into a permanent deal for £21m.

Top target Eze is by no means out of reach for Spurs thanks to their Europa League victory, meaning that can compete with other UCL-competing clubs, and a deal for Dibling is realistic too; the teenager may very well the Lilywhites as the next perfect step in his development.

However, if neither of those two work out, Spurs are already well-positioned to sign Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich, as they can still activate their option to buy the young Frenchman and could even try to negotiate a lower fee with their German counterparts.

Tottenham's priority positions for 2025 summer transfer window

© Imago

Danso's arrival has helped to reinforce an injury-hit defence, but Tottenham may find themselves needing another centre-back if Cristian Romero cannot resist the pull of Atletico Madrid, as Radu Dragusin will still be out for a few more months with his ACL problem.

Further forward, Bissouma's exit and uncertainty over Rodrigo Bentancur's contract situation could necessitate the signing of a new deep-lying midfielder; Bentancur's deal expires in 2026, but talks over an extension have reportedly been opened.

The Lilywhites have already triggered a 12-month option in Son Heung-min's deal, but the South Korean turns 33 next month, and whether he will be kept around beyond the end of next season remains unclear.

Tottenham Hotspur are said to have decided to sack boss Ange Postecoglou despite chairman Daniel Levy's public stance that no decision has been made.

Though they ended the 2024-25 Premier League season in 17th place with just 38 points, Spurs managed to qualify for the Champions League and win silverware for the first time in 17 years when the beat Manchester United in the Europa League final in May.

Boss Postecoglou promised supporters that he would win a trophy in his second season, and though the team's domestic performances were subpar, he will go down in Tottenham's history.

The Londoners' contrasting displays in Europe and in England have led to arguments among fans and pundits about whether the Australian coach deserves a third season in charge.

Football Insider claim that Spurs have made the decision to part company with Postecoglou, with the club's hierarchy deliberately waiting for the emotions of their Europa League win to dissipate before sacking the head coach.

© Imago

Have Spurs learnt from Manchester United's Erik ten Hag mistake?

While some sections of the Tottenham fanbase might see the decision to sack Postecoglou as harsh considering he ended the club's trophy drought, there is an argument that now is the perfect time to part company.

The team have been linked to the services of Brentford manager Thomas Frank, and by relieving Postecoglou of his job now, Spurs would be able to give Frank the entire summer to implement his style of play and to bring in his own transfer targets.

Sticking by the Australian could be detrimental to the long-term future of the club if he continues to disappoint and is dismissed in the middle of the season.

Premier League rivals Manchester United should act as a warning to Tottenham given current Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim was appointed in November 2024, but he has been unable to positively impact the team.

Amorim took charge following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag in October that year, but United were reportedly close to sacking him in the summer of 2024, with reports suggesting that his job was only saved due to the team winning the FA Cup in 2023-24 against Manchester City.

The decision to keep Ten Hag and bring in targets for his style of play meant that Amorim inherited an ill-fitting squad, so perhaps by replacing Postecoglou ahead of next season, Spurs can better prepare for the 2025-26 campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur are said to have been in direct contact with Brentford boss Thomas Frank as they contemplate relieving Ange Postecoglou of his managerial role.

Spurs endured a difficult domestic campaign, finishing 17th in the Premier League with just 38 points in 2024-25, and they were fortunate that the three relegated teams performed so poorly.

However, the club were able to end the campaign on a high after winning the Europa League final against Manchester United in May, a victory that ensured they will compete in the Champions League next term.

Boss Postecoglou has faced criticism for his role in the team's domestic performances, and despite winning the Londoners their first trophy in 17 years, some fans and pundits have called for him to be sacked.

Foot Mercato claim that Brentford's Frank discussed his vision for Spurs during talks, even going as far as to report that he suggested possible transfer targets.

Would Frank be a good fit?

Frank has been in charge of Brentford since October 2018 - though he had been an assistant since December 2016 - and he guided the side to the Premier League after beating Swansea City 2-0 the 2021 Championship play-off final.

The Bees have rarely had to worry about the threat of relegation under his stewardship despite the fact that striker Ivan Toney missed large parts of the 2023-24 season and left to join Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League last summer.

Forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa excelled in 2024-25, scoring 20 and 19 goals respectively, with their productivity helping Brentford end the season with 56 points, 16 more than Spurs managed.

Considering his track record of developing talents to their potential while also thriving despite facing adversity, he would be a good candidate to replace Postecoglou.

Should Ange be kept around?

Postecoglou should receive some leniency for his side's poor performances considering his squad suffered numerous injury issues throughout the season.

However, the Australian coach's refusal to adapt his offensive system arguably led to players being exposed, and his inability to platform the talent at his disposal has been concerning.

Tottenham would likely be in a better position if they offered Frank a whole summer to settle into the job, and the benefits of being able to shape the squad in the transfer window could be significant. body check tags ::

Tottenham Hotspur are supposedly planning to make a final decision on the future of head coach Ange Postecoglou this week.

The Australian experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows in the 2024-25 season, where he managed to fulfil his second-season trophy prophecy in the Europa League final.

The Lilywhites' 1-0 success over Manchester United snapped their miserable 17-year sequence without a major honour since the 2008 EFL Cup and also punched their ticket to next season's Champions League league phase.

However, Tottenham's continental excellence came at the cost of domestic embarrassment, as the North London giants suffered their worst-ever Premier League finish, placing 17th in the table.

Postecoglou oversaw a shocking 22 defeats in the 2024-25 top-flight campaign, the most one side has ever suffered in a single Premier League season without being relegated to the Championship.

Tottenham 'to decide Postecoglou future this week'

Chairman Daniel Levy is therefore in an unenviable position of having to decide the future of Postecoglou, whom he bestowed with a four-year contract upon his arrival from Celtic in 2023.

The Australian therefore still has two seasons left to run on his terms, and he would be in line for a hefty payout if Tottenham relieved him of his duties this summer.

According to The Telegraph, Spurs will either stick or twist with Postecoglou this week, and he remains at 'extreme risk' of the chop despite leading Tottenham to Europa League glory.

Internally, some within the club are apparently 'anticipating' another change in management this summer, meaning Postecoglou could leave Spurs with an indifferent record of 47 wins, 14 draws and 40 losses from 101 games in charge.

The 59-year-old has only collected 1.53 points per game with Spurs, his second-worst record with a team he has overseen at least 10 matches with after Australia Under-20s (1.08 ppg from 12 matches).

Who are Tottenham's main contenders to replace Postecoglou?

If Spurs do bite the bullet and move on from Postecoglou, they are expected to search close to home for a successor, having reportedly taken a liking to four different Premier League head coaches.

Brentford's Thomas Frank is said to be admired by Lilywhites chiefs, as is Fulham boss Marco Silva, although the latter has also been linked with Juventus and the Saudi Pro League.

Tottenham have also taken a liking to forward-thinking Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, although the 42-year-old is expected to continue at the Vitality Stadium for the time being.

Finally, FA Cup-winning Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner has been mentioned as another potential candidate, but Eagles chairman Steve Parish does not expect the Austrian to depart Selhurst Park.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly planned to hold talks with Eberechi Eze's agent ahead of a potential summer move from Crystal Palace.

Spurs rescued their season by winning the Europa League final against Manchester United in May, claiming the club's first trophy in 17 years while also qualifying for the Champions League.

Despite the team's European glory, fans are still concerned about the future of the side given they finished 17th in the Premier League with just 38 points.

If boss Ange Postecoglou is to avoid a similarly disappointing domestic campaign next term, he will have to find solutions to their problems at both ends of the pitch, and he could look to the transfer market.

Football Insider report that Palace's Eze is a long-term target of the Australian manager, while also claiming that Spurs are planning on speaking to the 26-year-old's agent in order to get ahead of interested parties such as Arsenal and Liverpool.

© Imago

Do Spurs need Eze?

Many pundits such as Jamie Carragher have criticised Postecoglou for his stubborn stylistic approach, arguing that he has prioritised attacking output at a defensive cost.

Spurs ended the season as the Premier League's sixth best offensive side (64), but their record of 65 goals conceded made them the fifth-worst defensive team in the top flight.

However, while bringing in defensive reinforcements would appear logical, Tottenham could face an attacking crisis next term.

Captain Son Heung-min will be 33 by the time 2025-26 starts, and he has struggled to impact games as he has aged, meaning he could soon need to be replaced.

Elsewhere, Dejan Kulusevski is expected to remain injured for months yet following a knee problem suffered against Palace in May, and it remains to be seen if he will return in time for the start of next season.

Brennan Johnson and James Maddison have also suffered injury issues, and Postecoglou will be keen to make sure that he has the necessary attacking depth to mount a challenge for the Premier League's European spots.

Eze can play from the left of attack or in a more central position, and given he managed to score 15 goals and provide 11 assists for the Eagles in all competitions, he would undoubtedly be of benefit to the Spurs boss.

Tottenham Hotspur have announced the exits of four players following the conclusion of the 2024-25 campaign.

Ange Postecoglou's second season in North London will forever be remembered as the one where the Australian led Spurs to Europa League glory, ending a trophy drought stretching back 17 years.

As a result, Tottenham will compete in next season's Champions League despite an embarrassing 17th-placed finish in the Premier League table, their worst-ever placement in the division.

While Postecoglou's future has been dominating the talk coming out of Tottenham, Daniel Levy must also sanction a number of incomings and outgoings on the player side, and the Lilywhites have now confirmed a few of the latter.

On Saturday morning, the club announced that Sergio Reguilon, Fraser Forster and Alfie Whiteman would all head for the exit door when their contracts expired, while Timo Werner has gone back to parent club RB Leipzig.

Werner, Reguilon among four players to leave Tottenham

© Imago

Tottenham did have an option to make Werner's stay permanent for £8.5m, but they have unsurprisingly decided not to activate that clause following the German's poor performances in 2024-25.

Werner managed just one goal and three assists in 27 appearances for Spurs last season, where he only started four matches in the Premier League and was left out of their squad for the Europa League knockout rounds.

Across two separate loan spells at Tottenham, the former Chelsea man came up with three goals and seven assists in 41 matches, and he is also expected to be let go from Leipzig in the upcoming window.

Meanwhile, Spanish left-back Reguilon departs after five years of service, during which he managed two goals and nine assists in 73 appearances across all competitions.

The former Real Madrid man played just six times for Postecoglou in 2024-25, though, and he was loaned out three times to Atletico Madrid, Brentford and Manchester United.

Veteran goalkeeper Forster kept eight clean sheets in 34 games for the Lilywhites, although he was relegated to third choice in January following the arrival of Antonin Kinsky.

Finally, fellow shot-stopper Whiteman made just one senior appearance for Spurs, playing eight minutes in a 4-0 Europa League victory over Ludogorets in late 2020.

Which other players could leave Tottenham this summer?

© Imago

Interestingly, Tottenham did not include Ben Davies as one of the players departing at the end of their deals, suggesting that the Welshman could yet extend his stay beyond the summer.

Davies's presence could be required if Cristian Romero is tempted by a move elsewhere; Atletico Madrid are believed to be showing a serious interest in the Argentina international.

The agent of Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane has suggested that contract talks with the club are heading in the right direction amid links with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Both North London giants are believed to be monitoring the Germany international's situation, as he could leave the Bundesliga champions on a free transfer in the upcoming window as things stand.

Even though Sane will celebrate his 30th birthday next year, the opportunity to sign a player of his calibre without paying a penny to Bayern is one that neither Arsenal nor Spurs are likely to pass up.

The former Manchester City man has produced 61 goals and 55 assists from 220 matches for Bayern Munich over the past five years, having departed the Etihad for the Allianz Arena in 2020.

Sane's adventure with the German champions could yet continue a little while longer, as his agent Pini Zahavi has now revealed that a "nice meeting" took place with Bayern's management.

Sane agent holds "nice meeting" with Bayern chiefs

© Imago

"We had a very good dinner, it was a nice dinner, I enjoyed it. But no news. I cannot speak about it, but it was a nice meeting," Zahavi told Sky Deutschland reporter Kerry Hau.

Sane has not penned a single contract extension at Bayern Munich since joining in 2020, and he is believed to earn around £243,000 a week at the Allianz Arena, according to Capology.

The ex-Man City man therefore pockets approximately £12.6m per year at Bayern, but that could increase to £13m with Bayern's contract proposal, where he would earn a base salary of £8.4m with £4.6m in performance-related add-ons.

Sane has so far shown no intention of accepting that deal, though, so Bayern are apparently weighing up whether to increase his fixed amount to £10.9m and bringing the variables down, the Daily Mail reports.

Sane came up with 13 goals and six assists in 45 matches for Vincent Kompany's side in the 2024-25 season, while he amassed 25 goals and 30 assists in 90 Premier League games while representing Man City.

Why Arsenal and Spurs must look for Sane alternatives ASAP

© Imago

Bayern Munich players almost running down their contracts is nothing new, but in the recent high-profile examples of this scenario unfolding, the outcome has been the same.

Alphonso Davies was seemingly destined to move to Real Madrid on a free transfer. Joshua Kimmich was on Arsenal's radar for a few weeks. Both ended up extending at the Allianz Arena.

Zahavi's comments suggest that the Sane situation could play out in exactly the same way, thus forcing Arsenal and Tottenham to pursue alternative targets on the flanks.