Ange Postecoglou sacked by Tottenham with Thomas Frank leading contender for job
Sacked: Winning the Europa League was not enough to keep Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham (Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
Ange Postecoglou has been sacked as manager of Tottenham.
Spurs officially announced on Friday evening that the Australian had been relieved of his duties just two weeks after ending the club's 17-year major trophy drought.
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Postecoglou led Spurs to Europa League glory in Bilbao last month but has been sacked after overseeing their worst-ever Premier League season.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank is emerging as an early front-runner to replace Postecoglou.
Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola and Fulham's Marco Silva have also been under consideration but Frank has impressed Spurs with the job he has done in his seven years at Brentford.
In a statement confirming the departure of Postecoglou, Tottenham said: "Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties.
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"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.
Postecoglou delivered on his promise to win a trophy in his second season as Spurs ended their 17-year wait (Getty Images)
'However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place.'
Postecoglou leaves Spurs halfway through a four-year contract, having joined from Celtic in 2022 and delivered on his promise to win a trophy in his second season.
Spurs ended their 17-year wait for silverware by beating Manchester United in the Europa League final last month, and Postecoglou then told fans at the trophy parade in north London: 'In all the best TV shows, season three is better than season two.'
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But chairman Daniel Levy felt Spurs needed a new head coach after their Premier League form nosedived and they ended the season in 17th place and with 22 defeats.
Levy and new Spurs chief executive Vinai Venkatesham are set to lead the search for a new head coach.
Frank has done a brilliant job since taking over Brentford in 2018, leading the Bees to promotion from the Championship in 2021 and establishing them in the Premier League.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank is the leading contender to succeed Postecoglou at Tottenham (Getty Images)
Under him, Brentford have finished 13th, 9th, 16th and 10th in the top-flight. He also has a proven track record of improving players, which is key for Spurs in their search for a new head coach.
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Reports in March said Spurs had made Iraola their top target if they decided to part company with Postecoglou, but Bournemouth want to tie him down to a new contract.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has also been linked with the Spurs job but Eagles chairman Steve Parish has said he will be at Selhurst Park next season.
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Club captain Son Heung-min says departed head coach Ange Postecoglou is a 'Tottenham Hotspur legend forever'. Tottenham announced they had relieved Postecoglou of his duties on Friday afternoon, despite the Australian guiding the club to glory in the Europa League final only two weeks earlier. Spurs' strong European run, though, was in contrast to their domestic form, as they recorded their lowest-ever Premier League points tally (38) and finish (17th), having lost 22 of 38 matches. Advertisement Postecoglou took over as head coach ahead of the 2023-24 season and on the eve of the campaign, appointed Son as his captain, replacing Hugo Lloris. After a strong start to the season, Spurs tailed off slightly and finished fifth with Son ending as the team's top scorer on 17 goals. 'You trusted me with the captaincy,' Son wrote on Instagram on Saturday. 'One of the highest honours of my career. It's been an incredible privilege to learn from your leadership up close, I am a better player and a better person because of you. 'Ange Postecoglou, you are a Tottenham Hotspur legend forever. Thank you, mate.' Son's message echoed the sentiments of Pedro Porro and Guglielmo Vicario on Friday evening, the latter of whom also joined Spurs in the summer of 2023. 'I'll always be grateful for the way you led us, defended us, and kept us going through all the highs and lows,' Porro said. 'Above everything, you gave us one of the greatest moments in the club's history and for that, you'll always be celebrated. Wishing you all the very best, boss.' A post shared by Son HeungMin(손흥민)🇰🇷 (@hm_son7) 'From that very first call, right from the beginning, you always showed so much belief in me,' Vicario said. 'Giving me the opportunity to be part of the leadership group … those moments, and many others, will stay with me forever. 'You are not only a top manager, you are an incredible person to work for, a real leader, a mentor, and someone I'll always look up to.' In a statement published by his representatives, Postecoglou himself said: '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.' Brentford head coach Thomas Frank is the leading contender to replace Postecoglou at Tottenham, who will compete in the Champions League next season after their Europa League triumph. ()
