‘Give him time': Former Spurs players rally behind Postecoglou as club mulls future
LONDON, June 3 — As Tottenham Hotspur ponder the fate of manager Ange Postecoglou, former players of the Premier League side have thrown their support behind the Australian and urged the club's ownership to stay the course.
Postecoglou guided Tottenham to Europa League victory last month, ending the club's 17-year trophy drought, but they also endured their worst domestic season for nearly half a century and finished 17th in the Premier League.
The 59-year-old said last month he remained unsure of his future, with reports in British media on Monday saying Tottenham are set to make their decision this week.
Former Swiss international Ramon Vega, who made 64 league appearances for Tottenham, said letting the Australian go would be one of the biggest mistakes the club could make.
'I find it incredibly disrespectful to even think about sacking Ange Postecoglou,' Vega said on social media on Monday.
'He has accomplished the impossible — something others with more significant credentials have failed to achieve.'
Ex-Spurs and Ireland striker Robbie Keane said that in the eyes of the fans the Europa League win had made up for the woeful domestic campaign, and that Postecoglou had backed up his statement that he always wins something in his second season.
In his first season at the club, Spurs were top of the league in October but they eventually finished fifth and suffered early exits in the FA Cup and League Cup.
'There's no getting away from that (league form). I think everybody, certainly the manager, has admitted that,' Keane told talkSPORT last week.
'But I tell you what — as someone who's played for Spurs, and my two kids are Spurs fans, I don't think anyone cared at the end, because winning the trophy — at the end of the day it's about winning.
'He's got a lot of stick, Ange, and to be fair to him, he's backed it up by his comment that he made about the second season and he put himself under a lot of pressure but he's done it. So I think now — give him time.'
In an interview with Stats Perform, former Tottenham and United States goalkeeper Brad Friedel called on the club to back Postecoglou in the transfer window.
'I hope for Postecoglou they keep him and let him build in the summer and see how the start of the season goes,' the American said. — Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Soccer-Tuchel wants relentless energy in attack from England against Andorra
Soccer Football - World Cup - European Qualifiers - England Press Conference - RCDE Stadium, Cornella de Llobregat, Spain - June 6, 2025 England manager Thomas Tuchel during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra BARCELONA (Reuters) - England go into their World Cup qualifier against Andorra as heavy favourites but the players will find it challenging to find the energy to attack relentlessly after a long and gruelling season, coach Thomas Tuchel said on Friday. England are top of Group K after two games with a perfect record while Andorra are bottom with two losses ahead of Saturday's game in Barcelona. Tuchel said England are fully committed to the qualifier where he wants "a win that is never in danger" but also said fans should not "over-expect" them to go all guns blazing right from the start of the game. "It will be on us to get going, it is on us to keep the tempo high, to bring the attacking energy to the pitch and to do this in a relentless way," Tuchel told reporters. "I can fully understand that this is not the easiest time of the season for an international break. The players come from a long and tiring season and then again accepting the role to be responsible for the majority of the game can be demanding. "But at the same time, what I feel from the group is that they are happy to be here. We are quite new together, it is our second camp and I have trust and belief that we will do what is necessary to get the result that we want." Tuchel said England have embraced the tag as huge favourites, promising an attacking lineup that will dominate possession while he is not looking to experiment by using this match as an audition for new players. "The focus will be on the attacking patterns, on our hunger for and the reaction after ball losses, for the counter-pressing," he added. "These will be the main topics for tomorrow and this will then guide and demand the tactics. "My thoughts are not so much whom can we see and what do we try. It's more about the game plan since two days and who trains well... After a long season, putting players together from which we feel they have a connection and then they can show." Tuchel has also done his homework on Andorra, describing the European minnows as a well-drilled and well-organised side in a 5-4-1 formation. "They don't allow a huge amount of big chances," the German coach said. "So we need a mix between being patient and at the same time speed the game up, bring the speed to the game and try to never lose the focus." (Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; editing by Pritha Sarkar)
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Soccer-Postecoglou says he leaves with pride intact after Tottenham axe
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Europa League - Final - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - San Mames, Bilbao, Spain - May 21, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates after winning the Europa League Final REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge LONDON (Reuters) -Ange Postecoglou spoke of his intense pride at his two-year stint as Tottenham Hotspur manager after it ended with him being sacked by the Premier League club on Friday. The 59-year-old Australian took the club to their first trophy for 17 years last month when Tottenham beat Manchester United to win the Europa League. But the club have axed him after their worst top-flight campaign since 1976-77, finishing one place above the Premier League's relegation zone after losing 22 games. "When I reflect on my time as Manager of Tottenham Hotspur my overriding emotion is one of pride," he said in a statement released shortly after his dismissal was confirmed. "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." Postecoglou spoke in the build-up to the Europa League final about changing the way the club is perceived and he said his accomplishments should ensure that Tottenham will not have to wait so long for their next trophy. "We have laid foundations that mean this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success," he said. "I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them." While Tottenham fans were split over Postecoglou's future, he had a message for the supporters. "I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters," he said. "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. "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." (Reporting by Martyn HermanEditing by Toby Davis)
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Postecoglou sacked by Spurs despite ending trophy drought
LONDON: Ange Postecoglou was sacked as Tottenham manager on Friday, just 16 days after the Australian ended the club's 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League. Postecoglou led Tottenham to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao to clinch the north Londoners' first European prize in 41 years and secure a place in next season's Champions League. But the Australian paid the price for Tottenham's worst domestic season since they were relegated from the top flight in 1976-77. "Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties," a statement on Tottenham's official X account said. Exactly two years after he was hired from Celtic, Postecoglou's eventful spell in north London was brought to a end by chairman Daniel Levy. Tottenham lost 22 of their 38 Premier League games to finish 17th in the table, above only relegated trio Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton. "The Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the club for a change to take place," the statement said. "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."--AFP
