Robbie Fowler backs ‘top manager' Ange Postecoglou amid reports he will be sacked by Tottenham
English Premier League icon Robbie Fowler has thrown his support behind Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou amid reports the Aussie is facing the axe.
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 by finishing 17th in the Premier League.
The 59-year-old said last month he remained unsure of his future, with reports in British media this week saying Tottenham are set to make their decision soon.
Fowler is well aware of Postecoglou's success, having played in the A-League while the master coach was in charge of the all-conquering Brisbane Roar.
'I don't think so (he should get sacked), but you know we've seen managers with worse records who've been sacked. We've seen managers with worse records who keep the job,' he told 7NEWS Melbourne.
'I know with Tottenham, people will sort of quite rightly look at the performances in the Premier League and think it's not been good enough. And look, let's be honest, it hasn't.
'But I think he certainly deserves a stay of grace because the chance that Tottenham have won that Europa League for the first trophy in a long time.
'I'm a big fan of Ange. So hopefully the Premier League stays with him. Tottenham stay with him and we see him being successful for quite a long time.
'You know I've been a massive fan since I was over here playing for North Queensland Fury, watching his Brisbane Roar team you know absolutely annihilate opponents.
'He's a top, top manager who, should be in the Premier League. And hopefully he's there for a long, long time.'
Fowler was in Melbourne celebrating the 20-year anniversary of Liverpool's Champions League title in 2005.
He is the latest in a long list of EPL greats to throw their support behind the Aussie.
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.
'He has accomplished the impossible - something others with more significant credentials have failed to achieve.'
Ex-Spurs and Ireland striker Robbie Keane said in the eyes of the fans the Europa League win had made up for the woeful domestic campaign, and 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.
'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.
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Sydney Morning Herald
40 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘The players are so angry': Tottenham face revolt over Postecoglou sacking
In the aftermath of winning his first trophy with Tottenham, captain Son Heung-min said: 'He [Postecoglou] won the trophy. Nobody did it, so …. look, it is not up to me or the players, but we just have to look at the facts, at the fact that we have not won in 17 years, today is the day we finally won it. It is the manager who wins the trophy. So we see what is going to happen.' Son left some teammates and staff with the impression that he could leave Tottenham this summer and there is believed to be interest in the South Korean from Saudi Arabia. Atletico Madrid want to sign defender Cristian Romero, another player who was close to Postecoglou. Levy was not directly quoted in the Tottenham statement that confirmed Postecoglou's sacking. It said: 'Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties. 'We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw. 'However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances – injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. 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. 'It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond. This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision.' Following Tottenham's announcement, Postecoglou released his own statement: 'When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, 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. Loading '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.' He added: '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.' Tottenham's Europa League success changed the minds of many supporters over Postecoglou's future. But a 17th place Premier League finish, alongside the Europa League win, ultimately cost him his job, even though his squad was decimated by injuries. Levy has put himself under huge pressure to appoint a successor to Postecoglou who can out-perform the Australian. Frank has never won a major trophy as a manager and has not managed in a full European competition. Silva won the Greek title with Olympiacos and coached them in the Champions League.
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
‘The players are so angry': Tottenham face revolt over Postecoglou sacking
In the aftermath of winning his first trophy with Tottenham, captain Son Heung-min said: 'He [Postecoglou] won the trophy. Nobody did it, so …. look, it is not up to me or the players, but we just have to look at the facts, at the fact that we have not won in 17 years, today is the day we finally won it. It is the manager who wins the trophy. So we see what is going to happen.' Son left some teammates and staff with the impression that he could leave Tottenham this summer and there is believed to be interest in the South Korean from Saudi Arabia. Atletico Madrid want to sign defender Cristian Romero, another player who was close to Postecoglou. Levy was not directly quoted in the Tottenham statement that confirmed Postecoglou's sacking. It said: 'Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties. 'We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw. 'However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances – injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. 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. 'It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond. This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision.' Following Tottenham's announcement, Postecoglou released his own statement: 'When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, 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. Loading '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.' He added: '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.' Tottenham's Europa League success changed the minds of many supporters over Postecoglou's future. But a 17th place Premier League finish, alongside the Europa League win, ultimately cost him his job, even though his squad was decimated by injuries. Levy has put himself under huge pressure to appoint a successor to Postecoglou who can out-perform the Australian. Frank has never won a major trophy as a manager and has not managed in a full European competition. Silva won the Greek title with Olympiacos and coached them in the Champions League.
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Ange Postecoglou sacked after Europa League final victory
Tottenham Hotspur have sensationally sacked their manager Ange Postecoglou. This comes just 16 days after the team defeated Manchester United to win the Europa League final, the team's first in more than 40 years. Despite his exit after a wild two-season stay, the Aussie coach leaves with his name in the club's history books.
