Tottenham Hotspur won the UEFA Europa League final with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, but Ange Postecoglou’s future hangs in the balance.
Tottenham Hotspur will be delighted to have ended their prolonged wait for silverware, and UEFA Champions League qualification for the next season will be an additional bonus for Ange Postecoglou and his charges.
It has been a disastrous campaign for Tottenham, and they are 17th in the Premier League table. They needed to finish the season strongly to lift the spirits around the club. A trophy after 17 years will certainly boost the morale around Tottenham, but there is an air of uncertainty when it comes to the future of their manager.
Ange Postecoglou was very much a dead man walking before the UEFA Europa League final, and his departure was only a matter of time. However, the situation has changed, albeit slightly.
It will be interesting to see if Tottenham are willing to hand him a lifeline and persist with him for another season. The Australian manager has helped break the jinx, and he might feel that he has more to offer at Tottenham. Whether Daniel Levy decides to stick with him remains to be seen.
Here at The Hard Tackle, we look at three reasons why it would be ideal for Tottenham to part ways with Postecoglou, despite the UEFA Europa League win.
Ange Postecoglou and his tactical stubbornness
Tactical stubbornness has been the Achilles heel for Postecoglou since arriving at Tottenham. His overly aggressive system has led to some entertaining matches for Tottenham, but it has cost them quite often. The Australian tactician’s system has left Tottenham exposed defensively, and the north London outfit cannot hope to succeed with their current approach.
They will need a more balanced philosophy to do well in the Premier League, and Postecoglou is yet to prove that he is capable of improvising. Tottenham are currently 17th in the league table, and for a club of their stature, it is simply unacceptable.
At this level, they will need to prioritise substance over style, and Postecoglou is way too dogmatic. While there is no doubt that his flamboyant approach might be more effective at a mid-table club, Tottenham are expected to fight for trophies and compete in the Champions League regularly. They should look to opt for a manager with a more balanced approach.
Repercussions of his high-intensity football
Tottenham have suffered the consequences of Postecoglou’s high-intensity football this season. They have had multiple injuries throughout the season, and it has cost them dearly. Spurs have lost players at crucial junctures of the season, and even though one can blame the lack of luck when it comes to injuries, overexertion has certainly played a part in Tottenham’s injury crisis.
Only Arsenal have picked up more injuries than Tottenham in the Premier League this season, and the squad clearly needs a manager with a more conservative approach. The Tottenham players are really struggling to cope with the physical demands of Ange Postecoglou’s high-intensity football.
The overall sample size is alarming
Tottenham might have won the UEFA Europa League and ended their prolonged wait for a trophy. While things seem rosy right now, the overall sample size is quite alarming under the Australian manager. Tottenham have been thoroughly outplayed in the Premier League this season, and they are just above the relegation zone.
For a club of their stature, it is a horrible scenario, and it has been their worst league campaign in decades. The cup win will certainly lift the mood around the club, but it cannot paper over the cracks.
Tottenham must look at the bigger picture and bring in someone who can help them improve significantly. While there is no doubt, the Spurs might have better luck with injuries next season and they might improve in the league, it seems unlikely that they will be able to fight for Champions League qualification or push for the title in the current circumstances.
Unless there is a drastic change from the manager in terms of his philosophy, sticking with him for another season could be extremely worrying for Tottenham.
Tottenham must learn lessons from Manchester United’s mistake to persist with Erik ten Hag after a trophy-winning season, even though the underlying numbers showed that the Dutchman was clearly not good enough to manage the club. This is the right time for them to make the change with the spirits around the club high and with Champions League football in the bag. They will be able to attract top-quality managers and world-class players.
