Ange Postecoglou: Stick or Twist?

May 21 2025: a day that will be immortalised forever in Tottenham fans’ memories, the day that would end a 17-year trophy doubt, and the day that would bring European success back to North London after a long hiatus.

Silverware in Bilbao will go down as one of the crowning moments in Ange Postecoglou’s career, a feat that Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Pochettino failed to achieve. Yet will it be enough to save his job? Europa league success does not mask an abject domestic season for Spurs, finishing 17th with a club record 22 losses. Owner Daniel Levy’s choice is difficult: sack a popular manager who gave Spurs a trophy, or keep him and risk another battle at the foot of the Premier League.

Ange has become a legend in his own way at Spurs

If we cast our minds back to even three months ago, Postecoglou cut a very different figure. His growing frustration at the media was becoming increasingly evident, and he looked tired, unable to cope with the spotlight that a club like Spurs attracts. Many speculated that after cupping his ears to the Spurs fans against Manchester City after an equalizer, only for it to be disallowed, Ange’s days at the club were numbered. The deterioration between a club’s fans and the manager is usually the first marker for the beginning of the end, and it seemed as though this would be the case for Ange at Spurs. Yet he did not turn his back on the side, and although the dire league performances continued, Tottenham were slowly but surely grinding their way through the Europa League.

Fast forward to now, and Ange has become a legend in his own way at Spurs. Whilst fans are still divisive about whether he should stay or go, the Australian will undoubtedly always have a place in their hearts. His famous line “I always win in my second season,” once used to ridicule, is now sung in chants and scrawled on banners, a constant reminder for Spurs fans that their dreams have become a reality. Ange has seemingly returned to his jovial usual self, and has promised marked improvements over the summer.

Yet even in those moments of elation, the Australian remains unable to comment on whether it will be he who sees such improvements play out.

Difficulty juggling a European campaign with domestic form is something that clubs with far less resources have managed

Ange’s excuses about the Premier League season are worrying. Injury complaints, of which Spurs had many this year, are something that almost every manager does. His comments that the focus on Europe impacted league form are more alarming.

It is this attitude that raises doubt as to whether Postecoglou is truly the man to guide Spurs back to the top six. Difficulty juggling a European campaign with domestic form is something that clubs with far less resources have managed; a club with the finances and size of Spurs should not even be discussing it. Ange’s inability to successfully juggle Champions League and Premier League football could see Spurs plummet down the domestic table again next season. What’s more, finding a route through the UCL is a far more difficult endeavour than navigating the Europa.

Whole sale change from the board and recruitment level right down to the manager and  players is evidently required

The 4–1 loss to Brighton at home on the final day showcases the ever-growing gap between Spurs and not only the big six, but also up and coming clubs competing for Europe – the likes of Bournemouth, Brighton and Nottingham Forest. Wholesale change, from the board and recruitment level right down to the manager and  players is evidently required, and the success of a trophy does not change the fact that a 17th place Spurs is a far cry from the Spurs of three or four years ago.

With pressure mounting on a critical decision from Levy, Postecoglou’s position is looking more tenuous by the minute.