Time’s Up: Spurs Must Sack Ange Postecoglou to Rescue Their Season

In less than a week, Tottenham have crashed out of both domestic cup competitions – the very competitions that could have salvaged a season spiraling from bad to worse. But what stings even more than being knocked out of the EFL Cup and FA Cup is the manner of their defeats. Against Liverpool and Aston Villa, Spurs barely put up a fight. They were passive, disorganized, and thoroughly outclassed. So, where do Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou go from here?

Are You Not Entertained? 

“Are you not entertained?” These were the words of a jubilant Postecoglou after Spurs overcame Manchester United in the quarters of the EFL Cup by a scoreline of 4-3. Almost two months later, the answer is universal from Spurs fans – No Ange, we are not entertained.  

For months now, Spurs fans have put up with shambolic performances, non-existent tactics and a manager who keeps on harping about the same thing – injuries. Yes, losing key players has undoubtedly played a role in Spurs' struggles, but Postecoglou’s tactical stubbornness is just as much to blame. And now, the defeat to Villa is the one that broke the camel’s back for the majority of Tottenham supporters. Progression in the cup competition was the only reason some fans backed Ange for this long. But now that they are out of both competitions in a span of four days, there’s is little reason to back Postecoglou. 

Betting on the Wrong Horse 

The club’s hierarchy must now make a crucial decision – because in truth, they are backing the wrong manager. Ange Postecoglou is simply not good enough for this level. His naivety and tactical rigidity have been exploited to such an extent that Spurs are currently languishing near the relegation zone in the Premier League. No manager has ever performed this badly under Daniel Levy’s stewardship of the club. Even the likes of Jacques Santini, Ossie Ardiles, and Christian Gross – managers often regarded as Spurs’ worst – had a better record than Postecoglou. The excuses of injuries, fatigue, and fixture congestion – while valid to an extent – are no longer enough to mask the real issue: Postecoglou’s one-dimensional tactics. 

Even when Spurs had their strongest lineup available, performances were underwhelming. They managed just one win in their first four games of the season and handed Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town their first Premier League victories of the campaign. At that point, most of Ange’s starters were fit to play. However, massive wins over Manchester United, Manchester City, Aston Villa and West Ham kept the fanbase on his side.  

But in hindsight, the problems were always there from the start. Since Postecoglou’s blistering start to life – in which Spurs picked up 26 points from a possible 30 – Spurs have managed to pick up just 67 points in 52 games. That’s just 1.28 points per game, which is only good enough for lower mid-table. So, fans who say that Spurs don’t belong near the relegation zone – citing their plus 11 goal difference – are absolutely wrong.  Under Postecoglou, Tottenham are a bang average football team, who belong in mid-table.  

Failed Postecoglou Experiment and the 18-Month Cycle

Ange Postecoglou’s failure will deeply hurt Tottenham fans because he was supposed to be the messiah. He was supposed to guide Tottenham into a new era, and for some time that feeling translated into results. But those moments were fleeting, and soon, Spurs fans were brought down back to Earth. Many believed the chaotic 4-1 loss to Chelsea was just a freak result – a night where everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. But in hindsight, that defeat was far more significant. Spurs and Postecoglou never truly recovered, and now, just 18 months later, we’re having the same conversation as always: Should Tottenham sack their manager? 

This 18-month cycle of hiring and firing managers needs to end, but backing Postecoglou isn’t the answer. More tactically astute managers have been dismissed for far less. Even Mauricio Pochettino – undoubtedly Spurs’ best manager in modern history – was sacked just months after taking them to a Champions League final. So, if Pochettino wasn’t immune, why should Postecoglou be? The reality is, the Postecoglou experiment has failed. His stubborn tactics, refusal to adjust, and inability to turn things around when the going got tough have left Spurs worse off than they were 18 months ago. Injuries have played a part, but they’re not the sole reason for this collapse. Now, it’s decision time. If Spurs keep repeating the same mistakes, it won’t just be Postecoglou paying the price – the next ones to be forced out could be Daniel Levy and the entire board.  

Spurs fans have had enough, and they’re making their voices heard. Before Tottenham’s clash with Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a mass protest is already in the works. While Ange Postecoglou is responsible for what happens on the pitch, many supporters believe the real problem lies higher up. For most fans, this never-ending cycle of failure starts and ends with Levy, who has been pulling the strings at Spurs for the last 24 years. Managers come and go, but the same issues persist. If Spurs truly want to break free from this frustrating 18-month reset, Levy stepping aside might be the only real solution. 

Also Read: Are Arsenal Making the Same Mistakes That Spurs Made During the Mauricio Pochettino Era?