Paul O Keefe drops potential Postecoglou sack update of Tottenham with pressure mounting

Paul O’Keefe has highlighted how Tottenham Hotspur’s recent defeats to Rangers and Southampton could place Ange Postecoglou in a highly precarious position as manager.

The Australian finds himself under mounting pressure following a disappointing 4-3 home loss to Chelsea, which has left Spurs languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

Despite taking an early 2-0 lead within 11 minutes, Tottenham faltered as defensive errors gifted Chelsea two penalties, both converted by Cole Palmer, sealing another frustrating loss.

Postecoglou’s tenure has taken a troubling turn, with his side managing just one win in their last seven games across all competitions. This poor run includes defeats to Bournemouth, Ipswich Town, Galatasaray, and Chelsea.

Although Sunday’s loss hasn’t immediately cost him his job, O’Keefe suggests that further setbacks against Rangers in the Europa League and Southampton in the Premier League this week could spell the end of his time at the helm.

Tottenham now sits seven points adrift of fourth place in the league and five points behind fifth, where they finished last season. Despite starting the previous campaign on a high with an unbeaten run of ten games, they experienced a similar November slump, earning just one point from five matches. With history appearing to repeat itself, patience within the club and among fans is wearing thin.

Adding to Postecoglou’s challenges are significant injury woes. On Sunday, both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven were forced off the pitch with injuries, compounding a growing list of unavailable players.

First-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, defender Ben Davies, and forwards Richarlison, Wilson Odobert, and Mikey Moore were already sidelined for the Chelsea clash.

Additionally, midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur remains out of action, serving a seven-match suspension. These absences have undoubtedly impacted the team’s form and performance.

Tottenham’s next two fixtures hold significant weight for Postecoglou’s future. Before hosting Southampton on Saturday, the team will face Rangers in the Europa League, where they currently sit ninth in their group standings after five games.

A poor result in either match could further weaken the Australian’s position, especially given the high expectations placed on the team following their significant summer investments.

Ahead of the 2024/25 season, Tottenham broke their transfer record to sign striker Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth, alongside acquiring talented prospects such as Wilson Odobert, Archie Gray, and Lucas Bergvall.

Despite these additions, the team’s performances have not lived up to expectations, and there are already rumors of further reinforcements being pursued in the January transfer window. Among the players linked with Spurs is a young talent touted as the “new Andrea Pirlo,” indicating the club’s ongoing ambition to strengthen the squad.

Postecoglou’s current record at Tottenham reflects the inconsistency plaguing his tenure. In 22 games across all competitions this season, his team has secured 11 wins, three draws, and eight losses, scoring 45 goals while conceding 27.

This gives them an average of 1.64 points per game, a figure that falls short of the standard needed to compete at the top level. These statistics, while not catastrophic, highlight a team struggling to maintain consistency in results and performances.

The North London club faces a critical period as they navigate injuries, poor form, and mounting pressure. Postecoglou has shown flashes of tactical brilliance, but his inability to deliver consistent results may prove costly.

Tottenham’s ambitions of securing a top-four finish and competing on multiple fronts hinge on their ability to turn things around quickly. Should they fail to do so, the prospect of a managerial change will loom large, with Thomas Frank and other candidates likely to be considered.

For now, Postecoglou must rally his players and find a way to reignite their season. With significant fixtures ahead, the manager’s future could be determined by his ability to inspire a turnaround and restore belief within the squad and fanbase. Only time will tell if he can weather the storm or if Tottenham will opt for a fresh direction as they seek to fulfill their ambitions.