Tottenham Hotspur part ways with Ange Postecoglou: European glory fails to make up for Premier League collapse

Glory in Europe, disaster in the league

Ange Postecoglou led Tottenham to a major triumph on the European stage in the 2024/25 season. Spurs defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final, securing a direct ticket to the Champions League and bringing home their first trophy since 2008.

However, the league performance was a complete collapse. Tottenham finished 17th in the Premier League with just 38 points from 38 matches. The team recorded 11 wins, 5 draws and no fewer than 22 losses. This marked one of the lowest finishes in the club’s Premier League history.

Club statement: “We could not ignore the facts”

Tottenham’s official statement included the following:

"Winning the UEFA Europa League is a proud achievement for our club. However, our Premier League performance does not align with our long-term objectives. Securing only 78 points over the past 66 league matches falls below a sustainable level of competition. Therefore, we have acted based on facts, not emotions."

Termination fee: £4 million

According to The Telegraph, Postecoglou’s contract—initially set to run until the summer of 2027—was terminated for a fee of approximately £4 million. While this cost poses a significant financial burden for the club, the board viewed radical change as necessary. The 59-year-old Australian had forged a strong and affectionate relationship with both the players and supporters. However, the Athens-born manager's chapter at Tottenham has now come to an end.

How did Postecoglou’s path cross with Tottenham?

In 2009, he made his first major breakthrough with Brisbane Roar in his home country.

He managed the team from September 2009 to April 2012, before taking charge of one of Australia’s biggest clubs, Melbourne Victory. After managing them from April 2012 to October 2013, he went on to lead the Australian national team. Following more than four years in that role, he made a surprise decision in February 2018 to return to club coaching with Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan. There, he made a significant mark on Asian football and led the team to notable successes.

Before the 2021/22 season, he joined Scottish giants Celtic, gaining his first opportunity to showcase himself in European football. After two highly successful and memorable seasons at Celtic, Postecoglou accepted an offer from Tottenham ahead of the 2023/24 season, departing the Scottish club. His exit triggered a wave of disappointment among Celtic fans. Ultimately, the Australian manager officially replaced interim boss Ryan Mason at Tottenham.

Thomas Frank is first to be contacted

Reports suggest that Tottenham’s first concrete move for a new manager was to approach Brentford boss Thomas Frank. The Guardian reported that Tottenham have opened talks with Frank’s representatives, and that a compensation fee would be required to prise him away from Brentford.

Kieran McKenna a strong candidate

Another prominent candidate is Kieran McKenna, who guided Ipswich Town to back-to-back promotions and a return to the Premier League.

According to Football Insider, Tottenham view McKenna’s modern football philosophy and developmental approach as the ideal profile for their next project. The report highlights his work with young players and his ability to structure the team as key factors attracting the Spurs board.

talkSPORT notes that McKenna’s previous experience within Tottenham’s academy setup is seen as a valuable internal reference. The same outlet stresses that Spurs regard McKenna as someone familiar with the club’s culture and well-suited for smooth integration.

De Zerbi and Nagelsmann not in contention

Despite some media reports, Roberto De Zerbi signed a three-year contract with Olympique Marseille in summer 2024 and is currently managing the Ligue 1 side. He is therefore not a valid candidate for the Tottenham job.

Similarly, Julian Nagelsmann remains in charge of the German national team with a contract running until 2026, making discussions with any club unrealistic at this stage.

Postecoglou’s record: 47 wins in 101 matches

During his time at Tottenham, Postecoglou oversaw 101 matches, recording 47 wins, 14 draws and 40 defeats. Despite the European success, the collapse in Premier League form ultimately ended his tenure.

Under his leadership, Tottenham scored 184 goals while conceding 157.

In his post-final interview, he remarked memorably:

"I said the third season would be better, but someone told me: Sometimes the main character doesn’t make it to season three."

A new era at Tottenham: more than a managerial change

Postecoglou’s dismissal represents more than just a managerial change—it points to a broader structural transformation within the club.

While the UEFA Europa League win is a major milestone in the club’s history, the Premier League instability and a season spent near the relegation zone revealed that the current setup did not align with long-term objectives. In this sense, the club’s next managerial appointment is not merely a sporting decision but also a corporate one.

As the 2025/26 season approaches, Tottenham aim to improve competitiveness in the Premier League while achieving sustainable success in the Champions League. Therefore, the new manager must offer more than tactical ability; youth development, squad management, and alignment with the club’s identity will also be essential.

This process will affect not just on-pitch performance but also Tottenham’s global reputation, sponsorship value and sporting brand identity. The profile of the incoming manager may shape not only the short-term but also the medium- and long-term future of the club.

Fans divided

The departure has caused a significant rift among Tottenham supporters. Some fans believe that winning a European trophy after years and having a system with potential to grow made the decision unjust. Others argue that 22 defeats and coming close to relegation showed the project was not viable in the long term, making change inevitable.