Tottenham have sacked Ange Postecoglou despite the head coach ending the club’s 17-year trophy drought with Spurs’ Europa League win in May.

Thomas Frank is the leading candidate to replace him. Other alternatives have been sounded out by Tottenham, including Fulham boss Marco Silva, but Frank is emerging as perhaps the strongest contender. 

Success in Europe was the club’s final lifeline for silverware – and a place in next season’s Champions League draw – amid a woeful season that saw them finish a dismal 17th in the league. 

But despite a scrappy showing against fellow domestic strugglers Manchester United in Bilbao, Tottenham were able to get over the line with a 1-0 win in the Basque region and silence Postecoglou’s critics. 

Postecoglou was then feted as part of the club’s raucous trophy parade, but with a view to improving the side ahead of the next campaign, chairman Daniel Levy and the Tottenham board have opted to move on the manager after just two seasons.

The axe falls exactly two years to the day since his appointment was first announced.

Tottenham have sacked Ange Postecoglou despite winning their first trophy in 17 years under the Greek-Australian manager

But after securing victory in Bilbao, Tottenham will play Champions League football next term

But after securing victory in Bilbao, Tottenham will play Champions League football next term

A Tottenham statement thanked Postecoglou, but read: ‘The Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place.’

It added that they had to consider: ‘our worst-ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances – injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign.

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‘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.

‘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.’ 

Postecoglou immediately released his own statement reading: 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.

‘We are forever connected. Audere est Facere (To dare is to do).’

The Australian has been forced to make do without many of his first team regulars this season after an unprecedented injury crisis which has particularly hit his defensive line. 

This includes first choice centre backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, while stars such as Dejan Kulusevski, Destiny Udogie, Dominic Solanke and James Maddison have also missed large chunks of action.

Postecoglou had also struggled to connect with the Spurs faithful before his historic trophy win, with the former manager coming in for abuse after appearing to taunt fans in the stands after Tottenham scored a goal – which was later ruled out – against Chelsea in their March Premier League meeting. 

The head coach was booed loudly by travelling supporters in Stamford Bridge, but remained adamant in the aftermath that he had only been trying to gee up the crowd as he cupped his hand to his ear.

The mood in north London had grown increasingly sour, with Postecoglou hitting out at the board in a recent press conference, implying that he was taking the lion’s share of the blame for Tottenham’s failings. 

Postecoglou had been bullish about his prospects for achieving more with his squad

Postecoglou had been bullish about his prospects for achieving more with his squad 

‘The only voice you hear is me,’ Postecoglou said. ‘When we’re talking about the bigger clubs, there seem to be a lot more voices. And not always defending. You need scrutiny and constructive criticism as well. We definitely get enough of that but never get any of the other stuff.’ 

Postecoglou also raised concerns over a suspected leak within his Spurs set-up as recent injury news appeared to hit social media before his formal announcement. 

But on the heels of their triumph in Bilbao, Postecoglou had been more bullish about his suitability for the task at hand in north London. 

‘In all the best television series, season three is better than season two,’ Postecoglou told a whipped-up crowd at the conclusion of Spurs’ trophy parade. 

Postecoglou was also interviewed by an Australian outlet during his family holiday in Greece, stressing that lifting the Europa League trophy was merely the beginning of his aspirations, rather than the peak. 

‘I didn’t want us to just enjoy the moment,’ he said. ‘I also wanted us to think about what’s next, you know, don’t settle for this. 

‘We’ve got a taste of it now. My players have got a taste for it. The club’s got a taste for it. Well, let’s make sure we’re back here again.’ 

But chairman Daniel Levy has opted not to give the former Celtic head coach more time

But chairman Daniel Levy has opted not to give the former Celtic head coach more time

Postecoglou admitted before he went on holiday this month that he was unsure whether he would be in charge long term

Postecoglou admitted before he went on holiday this month that he was unsure whether he would be in charge long term

Despite this, Postecoglou had admitted before leaving for his vacation that he was unsure whether he would remain in charge for the 2025-26 campaign. 

While no manager has yet been announced as his successor, the start of June saw the club linked with a number of candidates, including Brentford head coach Frank. 

Tottenham are also in the throes of undergoing change behind the scenes as well as pitchside, with long-serving executive director Donna-Maria Cullen announcing her departure of the beginning of June. 

Seen as Levy’s ‘right-hand woman’, Cullen had served on Tottenham’s board of directors for over three decades.  

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