Ange Postecoglou sacked: Tottenham axe head coach despite winning Europa League

Tottenham have sacked head coach Ange Postecoglou despite winning the Europa League to end the club's 17-year trophy drought.

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank is the leading contender to succeed the Australian, Sky Sports News understands.

Postecoglou's dismissal - described as a "unanimous decision" by the Spurs board - comes 16 days after he guided Spurs to a 1-0 Europa League final win over Manchester United to claim their first European trophy in 41 years.

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But glory in Bilbao, which saw Spurs qualify for next season's Champions League, came after Postecoglou presided over the club's worst-ever Premier League campaign.

Tottenham finished a dismal 17th after suffering 22 defeats to record their lowest-ever Premier League points tally of 38.

Spurs said in a statement that although he will be remembered for delivering "one of the club's greatest moments", they could not base their decision on "emotions aligned to this triumph" and a "review of performances" has led to the change.

Sky Sports News understands there were concerns other Premier League managers had sussed Spurs out under Postecoglou.

There were also concerns over the squad's injury record over the last two years, with key players Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, Guiglielmo Vicario, and more all having multiple spells on the sidelines.

Losing 22 of their 38 Premier League games last season - their worst Premier League record - also contributed to his sacking.

In a statement released shortly after his sacking, Postecoglou said his overriding emotion is pride, while he believed he "accomplished what many said was not possible" by winning the Europa League.

The 59-year-old departs after two seasons in charge, halfway through his four-year contract.

His sacking comes exactly two years after his appointment, having joined from Celtic on June 6, 2023.

Postecoglou's departure means Spurs are searching for their fifth permanent manager in six years since Mauricio Pochettino left in 2019.

'We can't base our decision on emotion' - Spurs explain Ange axe

Spurs confirmed Postecoglou's sacking shortly after 5pm on Friday and cited the woeful domestic campaign as the reason for his exit.

A club statement 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.

Ange: I accomplished what many said was not possible

In September, Postecoglou famously claimed he "always wins things in his second season" - but delivering on his promise has not been enough to keep his job.

Postecoglou, via a statement from his agency CAA Base, said: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride.

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

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

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

"There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible.

"We have also laid 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."

'You'll always be celebrated - Spurs players react to Ange's exit

In the wake of his sacking, several Spurs players posted on social media to bid farewell to Postecoglou.

Pedro Porro said on Instagram: "Thank you for everything, boss. 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."

Richarlison posted: "Mister, massive thanks for helping me out and believing in me during one of the trickiest periods of my career 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."

Dominic Solanke, who was signed by Postecoglou last summer for a club-record £65m, said: "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."

Another Postecoglou signing, Micky van de Ven, posted: "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."

Ange killed off before season three

Sky Sports News' Michael Bridge at Tottenham's training ground:

"I don't think it's a surprise. There were murmurings before the end of last season that no matter what Spurs did in the Europa League, Spurs were going to make a change anyway.

"But in Bilbao - there were fans crying and hugging each other. Spurs had won a trophy - their first European trophy in 41 years, their first trophy of any kind in 17 years.

"Many fans who didn't like what they saw last season felt: 'Do you know what, let's give him that third season!'

"That third season! He mentioned that two weeks ago, exactly at that parade when there were over 225,000 people. But then he said in the press conference afterwards that he shouldn't have said that: because sometimes the main character can be killed off in box sets.

"Ange Postecoglou won't see a season three here, and Spurs are having another change - and looking for another manager.

"He did the biggest mic drop in football history: 'I always win things in my second season.' He had that question every single week at his press conferences - and he delivered.

"On the back of that, I'm convinced and I know that he's going to get a very good job after this. There are already clubs very interested in Postecoglou.

"Has he been hard done by? Many will say yes - because this club have been craving a trophy."

How Ange's turbulent time unfolded at Spurs

Postecoglou made an instant impact at Spurs last season as they topped the Premier League in a 10-game unbeaten start, which saw him named the Premier League's manager of the month in August, September and October.

But the bubble burst after a chaotic 4-1 home defeat to Chelsea at the start of November, which saw Spurs commit to their high-line approach despite going down to nine players, with Postecoglou infamously declaring to Sky Sports: "It is just who we are, mate."

The long-term effect of injuries and suspensions picked up in that defeat then disrupted the campaign as Tottenham lost five of their final seven games to miss out on the Champions League with a fifth-placed finish.

Injuries have once again decimated Tottenham this season, with some blaming Postecoglou for the issue due to his ultra-aggressive tactics.

Their injury crisis and poor performances led to a woeful run of form. Following the 4-0 win against Manchester City on November 23, Spurs would go on to lose eight of their next 11 fixtures, including a 2-1 loss to Leicester, who were the only team separating Postecoglou's side and relegation this season.

The wretched run saw Postecoglou's relationship sour with Spurs supporters following altercations in defeats at Bournemouth, Fulham and Chelsea. The latter at Stamford Bridge saw the away fans boo and subsequently chant, 'You don't know what you're doing', which then led to Postecoglou cupping his ear in celebration towards the Spurs fans before Pape Sarr's equaliser was disallowed.

The 1-0 loss at Chelsea saw him become the first Tottenham boss to lose his first four league games against the Blues, while he failed to beat Spurs' main rivals, Arsenal, in his four league games in charge.

It was after a home defeat against the Gunners in September when Postecoglou declared, "I always win things in my second year", and despite delivering on that promise, it wasn't enough to keep him in the role.

They were also beaten in the Carabao Cup semi-finals by Liverpool in February after a sorry 4-0 second-leg defeat at Anfield, which saw them lose 4-1 on aggregate.

In the FA Cup, Tottenham were nearly embarrassed by non-League Tamworth in the third round, with Spurs needing extra-time to win at the National League side before being knocked out at the next stage by Aston Villa.

And so it all came down to the Europa League, and even though the win over Manchester United puts him in Spurs folklore, Daniel Levy ended Postecoglou's turbulent reign - and now Spurs start over again.

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