It wasn’t long ago that Ange Postecoglou was front and center of a Tottenham victory parade, silverware in hand, leading chants and smiles after finally breaking a 17-year trophy drought.
But just 16 days after bringing home European glory, he’s now out of a job.
His two-year rollercoaster ride as Spurs manager has come to an unexpected end—one filled with soaring highs, painful lows, and a philosophy that burned brightly, perhaps a little too brightly.
Let’s rewind and unpack exactly how the man who gave Tottenham their first taste of continental triumph this century found himself shown the door.
A Heroic Beginning and a Long-Awaited Trophy
When Postecoglou first arrived at Tottenham in June 2023, the mood was cautiously optimistic. But within 10 games, he had Spurs five points clear at the top of the Premier League. Fans were belting out Robbie Williams’ Angels after every win, and chairman Daniel Levy declared at a fans’ forum: “We have our Tottenham back.”
Fast-forward to the 2025 Europa League final, and Ange had finally delivered the goods—a European trophy to break the club’s barren spell.
He reignited belief, brought attacking flair, and gave fans something to dream about.
But football is rarely that simple.
The Cracks That Started to Show
Injuries hit hard—and early. First-choice defenders, playmakers, and creative midfielders were dropping like flies.
By the time Spurs reached that Europa League final, they were fielding makeshift lineups and benching key players to keep them from further damage.
A lot of fingers pointed at the club’s revamped medical department, particularly after the departure of veteran medic Geoff Scott.
Cristian Romero’s subtle social media dig—thanking Argentina’s physios instead of Spurs’—spoke volumes.
Despite Ange’s insistence that his intense style of football would toughen players over time, the squad never adapted physically.
The injury list kept growing. And so did the losses.
Tactical Stubbornness vs. Squad Reality
One of the major criticisms Ange faced was his refusal to adapt.
Even after devastating injuries, he stuck with his high defensive line, which left his depleted squad painfully exposed.
A 4-1 loss to Chelsea—with two red cards and multiple long-term injuries—should’ve been a turning point.
But Ange doubled down: “It’s just who we are, mate.”
When Eric Dier moved to Bayern Munich, he revealed Spurs didn’t really train to counter opponents—only to execute their own style. For some fans, this sounded like vision.
For others, like a disaster waiting to happen.
Eventually, Postecoglou did scale things back. But by then, the damage was done.
The results didn’t improve, and outside observers didn’t even notice the tactical shift.
To them, Spurs still looked reckless and out of control.
Transfer Policy: A Tug-of-War
Postecoglou’s job wasn’t made easier by a hit-and-miss recruitment strategy.
He wanted fast, experienced defenders to suit his system.
Instead, Tottenham dragged their feet. Micky van de Ven arrived just before the season began.
Radu Dragusin came six months later. Kevin Danso was a last-ditch signing during a full-blown injury crisis.
Up front, they leaned on loan players. Ange wanted substance; Spurs went for potential.
It was a constant mismatch of vision and execution.
From Fan Favorite to Fractured Trust
What may have sealed Ange’s fate was his deteriorating bond with fans.
The turning point? A controversial substitution at Stamford Bridge where he replaced Lucas Bergvall while chasing a goal.
The away end erupted with chants of “You don’t know what you’re doing,” and when the goal was ruled out by VAR, Ange cupped his ear at the crowd.
From that moment, the warmth was gone.
Daniel Levy likely saw it too—that the golden connection forged in 2023 had withered away. The aura of “Big Ange” had started to fade.
A Club Without Clear Direction
Tottenham’s broader issues didn’t help. The club still seems caught between identities: do they want to be an adventurous, unpredictable side, or a pragmatic, results-driven machine?
Recruitment, academy development, and on-pitch tactics never aligned under a unified plan.
Scott Munn, the Australian football chief, looks set to be replaced.
Executive director Donna-Marie Cullen is departing.
Vinai Venkatesham, formerly of Arsenal, is joining the board.
Meanwhile, banned former director Fabio Paratici is expected to formally return once his ban ends.
It’s messy—and Ange was caught in the middle of it all.
The Europa League: A Bittersweet Swansong
Ironically, it was European competition that kept Postecoglou in the job longer than many expected.
He thrived in UEFA’s new-format Europa League, taking Spurs through 15 games and all the way to the final—where they beat a struggling Manchester United side.
It was game No. 100 in charge. He lifted the trophy, his name rang out from the stands again, and for a brief moment, it felt like a fresh start.
But the celebration was short-lived. The final game of the season ended in a 4-1 home loss to Brighton—and by game 101, the end had arrived.
Legacy Secured—But No Season Three
Ange Postecoglou leaves behind a mixed legacy: 47 wins, 39 defeats, and one unforgettable European title.
He joins legends like Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw as Spurs managers who brought home continental silver.
Yet the harsh truth is that he also oversaw Tottenham’s worst Premier League return since the 1970s, losing 22 league games and picking up just 13 points in 2025.
The injuries, the stubborn tactics, the misaligned recruitment—all of it became too much to ignore.
So there won’t be a third season. But for many Spurs fans, he’ll still be remembered as the man who brought joy back—if only for a while.