Ange Postecoglou's huge Spurs payout, Europa League bonus and what he's doing now after axe
Ange Postecoglou has hardly been seen in public since his sacking by Tottenham Hotspur after last season came to an end. Just weeks after winning Spurs their first major trophy in 17 years as the north Londoners beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final, the manager was dismissed.
Prior to the European glory in May, Postecoglou's men endured a miserable Premier League campaign which was fraught with issues throughout as Spurs finished way down in 17th place, just one spot above the relegation zone.
A positive start to his reign in 2023 saw the 59-year-old collect multiple Manager of the Month awards, while Tottenham went on an unbeaten run in the Premier League all the way through to November.
However, injury issues began to plague Spurs and they narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Champions League under Postecoglou, finishing fifth in the 2023/24 campaign. Things went from bad to worse in the manager's second year, where the club won just 11 games across the entire season.
A great run to the Europa League final was the only shining light for the fans. Despite winning the trophy – which was the first European triumph since 1984 and Spurs' first taste of siverware since 2008 – Postecoglou was handed his marching orders in June.
Things aren't all bad, it seems, for Postecoglou; he banked over £7million after chairman Daniel Levy decided his time at Spurs was up, and in recent days he was pictured out in public, eating a fancy steak with a celebrity chef.
As his former team take on Paris Saint-Germain in Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup final, Mirror Football has tracked down what Postecoglou has been up to since his spell with Spurs ended, along with where he could be heading next.
Tottenham payout & Europa League bonus
Postecoglou signed a four-year deal to become Spurs manager in 2023, leaving behind Scottish champions Celtic after winning a domestic treble with the club. But, after just two seasons in charge of the Premier League outfit, Levy was forced to spend big to sack him.
Altogether, the Spurs chairman paid out almost £4m to Postecoglou, as per ESPN, as part of a severance package to relieve him of his duties at the club. This wasn't all though; the ex-manager also received £3.1m as a bonus for winning the Europa League, taking his payout from Tottenham to over £7m.
So, after 101 games in charge, with a win rate of 46.5% and a European trophy under his arm, Postecoglou departed Spurs with millions in the bank. Many believed that the Europa League win would just about save his job, but the club allowed the squad to celebrate before breaking the news to both fans and the team.
In a statement released to fans 16 days after the Europa League final, Tottenham 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."
Life away from football since sacking
Now, it looks like this hefty payout to Postecoglou has paid dividends, as he was finally spotted dining at Sta Kala Kathoumena on the Greek island of Paros. A video uploaded by celebrity chef Stefanos Saratsis has emerged on TikTok, in which Ange can be seen enjoying a fancy steak meal served up by the online personality.
The chef is seen slicing up a huge slab of meat before feeding Postecoglou a piece of the steak and awaiting his approval.
Comments flooded in expressing excitement at the former Spurs manager's first public appearance since his sacking in June, with one writing: "Geez, it's been a while since we've seen Ange smile like that!"
Another said: "And thats the taste of a decent payout from Spurs. Maybe he'll come and get them out of the championship next season," while a third joked: "See he's enjoying that £4mill he got from getting sacked."
MLS interest as next club rumours ramp up
Many will be wondering where big Ange will end up next, after successful spells in Scotland, Australia, Japan and – for a time – England. But it looks like a potential reunion with Son could be on the horizon, as Major League Soccer look to be sniffing around the Greek-Australian gaffer.
Earlier in June, BBC Sport reported that MLS side Los Angeles FC are considering a move for Postecoglou as current boss Steve Cherundolo is set to depart for Germany. The regular season ends in October for the American league, so LAFC may be planning to make a move for the ex-Spurs man by this point.
They will also have an extra trick up their sleeve, after former Tottenham icon Son joined the MLS side on a two-year deal this summer, with an option of a further two years. A potential link-up between the duo could be on the cards in the near future; but LAFC aren't the only team interested in Postecoglou.
Reports suggest that the 59-year-old has been linked with a job in the Saudi Pro League at Al Ahli, who recently won the Asian Champions League under current boss Matthias Jaissle.
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