Tottenham urged to sack Ange Postecoglou and hire Premier League rival by former star
Jamie O’Hara has stirred debate by suggesting that Tottenham Hotspur should consider replacing Ange Postecoglou with Thomas Frank, claiming the current Spurs boss is tactically naive.
Postecoglou, who has been under increasing scrutiny, finds himself in the spotlight after a difficult run of form. With just one win in seven games ahead of Tottenham’s Europa League clash with Rangers, the pressure is mounting on the Australian manager.
The situation has been exacerbated by Tottenham’s recent Premier League loss to Bournemouth, which saw Postecoglou confronting traveling fans in frustration.
Despite this, he remains confident in his track record, having won a trophy every two seasons during his managerial career. Tottenham are still in contention for silverware, competing in the Carabao Cup, Europa League, and the FA Cup. However, their 4-3 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday has left them languishing in 11th place in the Premier League table, intensifying calls for change.
Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara didn’t hold back in his criticism, stating that if Postecoglou continues with his current tactics, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy may have no choice but to part ways with him.
O’Hara believes the attacking style that leaves the defense vulnerable is unsustainable, emphasizing the need for a more balanced approach. He expressed admiration for Brentford manager Thomas Frank, calling him an ideal candidate to take over if Postecoglou departs.
Frank’s success in leading Brentford to the Premier League and maintaining their status in the top flight has earned him a reputation as a tactically astute manager.
Frank joined Brentford as assistant head coach in 2016 and took over the managerial role in 2018. Under his guidance, the Bees achieved promotion to the Premier League for the first time and have since established themselves as a competitive side.
His achievements even made him a contender for the Manchester United job before the club opted for Ruben Amorim. O’Hara believes Frank’s tactical awareness and ability to adapt would make him a strong fit for Tottenham.
Postecoglou is the fourth full-time manager at Tottenham since Mauricio Pochettino’s departure in 2019. Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espírito Santo, and Antonio Conte all faced the axe under Daniel Levy’s leadership.
While each brought a different style, none were able to deliver the consistency and silverware that Spurs fans crave. O’Hara drew comparisons between Postecoglou and Espírito Santo, citing the latter’s recent success with Nottingham Forest as an example of effective game management.
O’Hara pointed to Forest’s victory over Manchester United, where Espírito Santo demonstrated his tactical acumen. When Forest found themselves leading 3-2, Espírito Santo quickly made defensive changes, transitioning to a more solid structure to secure the win.
O’Hara argued that this pragmatic approach contrasts sharply with Postecoglou’s strategy, which failed to protect a 2-0 lead against Chelsea, resulting in a 4-3 defeat. He highlighted the importance of balancing attacking football with defensive stability, a quality he feels is lacking under Postecoglou’s leadership.
Cristian Romero also made headlines recently by apologizing for his public criticism of Tottenham’s owners following the Chelsea loss. While his comments sparked controversy, they reflect the broader frustrations surrounding the club’s performances this season.
O’Hara’s critique underscores the need for Tottenham to find a manager who can strike the right balance between exciting football and tactical discipline.
The debate over Postecoglou’s future reflects the challenges facing Tottenham as they aim to regain their competitive edge. While his attacking philosophy has brought moments of excitement, the lack of defensive cohesion has proven costly.
With Thomas Frank emerging as a potential replacement, the pressure is on Postecoglou to address these shortcomings and deliver results. For now, Spurs fans will watch closely as the team navigates a crucial period, hoping for signs of progress under their current manager or the possibility of a new direction.