Tottenham sack second manager in two days as Postecoglou text message surfaces

News.com.au

4 hours ago

Who on Earth would want to be employed by Tottenham right now?
The north London club announced on Monday the women's team coach Robert Vilahamn has been sacked, only two days after Ange Postecoglou was axed as the boss of their men's team.
It comes as Tottenham star Yves Bissouma went public with a private text message exchange he had with Postecoglou — showing how tight the bond was between players and the sacked Australian.
Vilahamn departs after Tottenham finished the 2024/25 Women's Super League (WSL) campaign second from bottom having won just five times from 22 league fixtures.
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'There have been some special moments during Robert's tenure, including reaching the FA Cup final for the first time,' Tottenham women managing director Andy Rogers said.
'However, results and performances this season have not been to the level we would expect and now is the right time to make a change.
'We should like to thank Robert for his professionalism and efforts over the past two seasons, and we wish him well for the future.'
Vilahamn, 42, took over Tottenham's women's side in July 2023 from Swedish club BK Hacken.
In his first season at the helm, Vilahamn led the north London club to a maiden FA Cup final appearance but were beaten 4-0 by Manchester United.
He also steered Tottenham to sixth place in the 2023/24 WSL, one place below their best-ever league finish.
The 42-year-old's impressive debut campaign earned him a fresh three-year extension last July.
However, Vilahamn failed to maintain the momentum as Tottenham slumped to 11th and shipped an alarming 44 goals, with relegated Crystal Palace the only team to have conceded more.
With Vilahamn and Postecoglou now gone, it promises to be a summer of upheaval for Tottenham as they look to find suitable replacements for the pair.
Postecoglou's axing proved incredibly divisive among the fanbase given he ended the club's agonising 17-year wait for a trophy when he led Tottenham to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final.
Although the Australian delivered silverware, as he always does in his second season, Tottenham finished an embarrassing 17th, their lowest-ever in the Premier League.
Despite the result, it emerged over the weekend the club is facing a player revolt with senior players unhappy with the decision to axe the former Socceroos coach.
Postecoglou's dismissal leaves the club searching for a fourth new manager in as many years.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank remains the favourite to replace Postecoglou and talkSPORT understands the Dane has informed his employers he would like to join Tottenham.
The Dane guided the club to a tenth-place finish in 2024/25, and Spurs will have to shell out if they are to secure his services.
Frank has a hefty release clause in his current contract, believed to be in the region of £9million.
He also has a long-standing relationship with Spurs' technical director Johan Lange.
Postecoglou text thread says it all
A text exchange with Tottenham star Yves Bissouma has proved just how close the bond was between Postecoglou and his players.
The Australian was brutally shown the door by the north London club on Saturday and it sparked a wave of gratitude from his former troops on social media.
Captain Heung-Min Son, Richarlison, James Maddison, Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven and Lucas Bergvall were among the lengthy list to thank Postecoglou for his mentorship in a footballing and life capacity.
But Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma has gone a step further. The Mali international shared a heartwarming text exchange between himself and Postecoglou to his social media, further highlighting just how close the bond was between the former Celtic boss and his players.
In the picture, Postecoglou wrote to Bissouma: 'Hi Biss. Sorry I missed your call.
'I am very proud of you. It was an honour to share a dressing room with you and appreciate how much you believed in what we were trying to achieve.
'I wish you only the best for the future. I will always be following. Much love from my family to yours.'
Bissouma replied: 'Thank you gaffer and thank you really much for everything you did for me on and off the pitch, I'll always be grateful.
The midfielder was especially thankful for 'the way you believed me and trusted me' as he wished Postecoglou all the best for the future.
Bissouma joined Tottenham from Brighton for an initial £25million in June 2022 when Antonio Conte was in charge.