Tottenham get emphatic Postecoglou sack verdict as surprise replacement picked

Ange Postecoglou continues to enjoy significant backing from Tottenham Hotspur supporters despite a challenging start to the 2024-25 season. A recent poll conducted by Express Sport revealed overwhelming support for the 59-year-old manager, with 74% of participants opposing his dismissal.

The Australian coach, who had a promising debut season, has faced mounting pressure due to inconsistent performances this term. Notable victories against Manchester City and Manchester United have been overshadowed by disappointing defeats to Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace, and Brighton.

As a result, Spurs currently sit tenth in the Premier League, nearly halfway through the campaign.

Despite these struggles, fans remain optimistic about Postecoglou’s long-term prospects. His philosophy and approach to the game resonate with a majority of the fanbase, who seem willing to endure temporary setbacks for the potential of sustained success.

However, discussions about potential replacements have naturally emerged, with Gareth Southgate being a popular choice among supporters, earning 26% of the vote. Southgate, the former England manager, has expressed a desire to take a year off from football but remains a well-regarded candidate.

Other names that have gained traction include Brentford’s Thomas Frank, with 24% support, and former Chelsea boss Graham Potter, who garnered 22% of the vote.

Postecoglou, for his part, has maintained a candid and reflective stance regarding the pressures of football management. He recently compared the role of a football manager to that of a prime minister, arguing that the former entails greater scrutiny.

According to Postecoglou, each match serves as an “election,” with results effectively determining whether fans metaphorically vote a manager in or out. This constant evaluation, he believes, makes football management one of the most demanding professions.

“This job is the hardest job now in any walk of life,” Postecoglou remarked. “You can say politics, but this is harder than any job. The tenure and longevity of this role mean very few are going to come out of it without any scars. How many times does [Keir Starmer] have an election? I have one every weekend. We have an election every weekend and either get voted in or out.”

His frustration with the volatile nature of football management extends beyond his own experience. Postecoglou expressed outrage at the treatment of his peers, citing the example of Southampton’s Russell Martin, who was sacked shortly after leading his team to a heavy defeat against Spurs.

Martin had been tasked with facing post-match media duties before his dismissal, a situation Postecoglou condemned as emblematic of the diminishing respect for managers within the sport.

“You don’t even get sacked in the morning now; you’ve got to change your song,” he said. “We have lost all sorts of modes of respect in our society where guys are in jobs, and they are putting up names of who is going to replace them while they are still working.”

Postecoglou also highlighted the broader challenges facing modern managers, particularly the lack of patience and long-term vision within football clubs. He lamented the industry’s shift away from building sustainable projects, noting that managerial careers increasingly resemble a carousel of short-term stints.

He predicted that even successful managers would accumulate extensive CVs, with careers spanning numerous clubs.

“This notion that clubs want to bring managers in and build stuff doesn’t exist. The moment there is a bit of a wobble, there will be flak coming from all areas,” he added. “Gary [O’Neil] and Russell [Martin] are both outstanding young managers who have long careers ahead of them.

Unfortunately for them, at the beginning of their careers, that’s what a manager’s career is going to look like. You’ll find that from now on, managers are going to have about 20 clubs on their CV, even the successful ones.”

Postecoglou’s candid insights offer a sobering perspective on the state of modern football management. While he acknowledges the immense challenges of his role, his resilience and determination to implement his vision at Tottenham have earned him the trust of fans.

As the team navigates the remainder of the season, the Australian manager’s ability to address inconsistency and inspire improvement will be pivotal. For now, the overwhelming backing from supporters suggests that Spurs are committed to giving Postecoglou the time and support needed to succeed.