Opinion: The case for and against Tottenham Hotspur sacking Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham Hotspur are on the brink of their worst season in recent history. Results have been abysmal, performances uninspiring, and questions are being asked. With Spurs languishing in 14th place, a sacking seems inevitable—but will Tottenham pull the trigger on Ange Postecoglou?
For most of the season, Ange Postecoglou has ridden his luck. Spurs have played 29 matches and lost more than they’ve won—15 defeats, just 10 victories. That’s simply unacceptable for a club of this stature.
Cup performances haven’t been much better. Spurs crashed out of the Carabao Cup in the semi-finals and were dumped from the FA Cup in the fourth round.
Had Tottenham Hotspur made it past the fourth round of the FA Cup, a semi-final run looked likely, given the absence of most of the traditional ‘big six’.
With nothing but pride left to play for in the league, and results getting worse by the week, the question isn’t whether Postecoglou will be sacked—it’s when.
The case for and against parting ways with Postecoglou
There are three schools of thought on Postecoglou’s future. Some fans want him gone immediately, others prefer to wait until the end of the season, while a third group blames Tottenham’s hierarchy rather than the manager.
There’s sympathy for Ange, given that he had to navigate a brutal injury crisis that sidelined 12 players at one point. But Spurs’ form hasn’t improved even with key players returning.
And if you analyse their performances before the injury crisis, they were just as inconsistent as they are now.
From August to December 1, Spurs played 20 matches, winning 11 and drawing seven. They dropped points to Leicester City, Newcastle, Ipswich, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Brighton, and Fulham—teams they should be beating.
The inconsistency didn’t start with the injuries; it’s been there for a long time, even stretching back to last season.
And when a team struggles for consistency, there’s only one man who gets the blame—the manager. If you can’t set your team up to beat sides well below you, then questions have to be asked.
Just as a side note—Leicester City took four points off Spurs this season, with a draw at full strength early on and a defeat when injuries struck later.
The best time for Tottenham to sack Ange Postecoglou
Postecoglou isn’t the only culprit. The club’s hierarchy, with their lack of ambition and failure to prioritise on-field success, have played a massive role in Spurs’ decline.
But Daniel Levy and company aren’t leaving anytime soon. And despite the limitations, other managers have done better under this ownership. Yes, Ange hasn’t been backed fully, but he’s had money to spend in every transfer window.
As for injuries, they happen in modern football—every team deals with them. The best managers adapt. Postecoglou hasn’t. Take Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth—he’s working with far less than Postecoglou, yet he tactically outclassed him in their recent meeting.
The argument about a congested schedule also falls flat, as Spurs have had plenty of rest in recent weeks.
In the first leg against AZ, they had ample time to prepare, yet they still delivered another lethargic display. That’s become the norm under Postecoglou.
Of course, the Europa League is still there. It’s his lifeline. And at this point, it doesn’t make much sense to sack him mid-season—any new manager would struggle to make an immediate impact. Plus who really would want to join Tottenham when there is nothing much to achieve?
However, if Ange Postecoglou doesn’t deliver the Europa League, especially with a nearly full-strength squad, then it has to be goodbye for the Australian come the end of the season.
The post Opinion: The case for and against Tottenham Hotspur sacking Ange Postecoglou appeared first on Spurs Web.