Ange Postecoglou has been sacked by Tottenham Hotspur just over two weeks after guiding the club to Europa League glory. The former Celtic manager’s dismissal was officially announced on Friday afternoon, bringing his two-year spell in North London to a dramatic end.
Postecoglou, who made the switch from Glasgow to Tottenham in the summer of 2023, leaves the club having ended their 17-year wait for a trophy. His side beat Manchester United in the Europa League final, securing only the third European honour in the club’s history.
Despite that historic win, the Spurs board has opted to make a managerial change. Citing poor league performance and a need for a new direction, the club said it had taken the decision after “significant reflection” and would now look to appoint a new head coach.
The timing of the announcement — so close to their European triumph — will surprise many, but Spurs have pointed to a dismal domestic run as the deciding factor. Postecoglou’s attacking style won plaudits, yet results in the Premier League ultimately did not meet the board’s expectations.
A Spurs statement read: “Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties.
“Ange joined us from Celtic in the summer of 2023 and oversaw a period of change on the pitch, returning us to the attacking brand of football that has traditionally been associated with the Club, while writing a new chapter in our history by leading us to UEFA Europa League glory in Bilbao last month – an achievement that will live with us all forever.
“We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the Club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw.
“However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances – injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the Club’s greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph.
“It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond. This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision.
“We have a talented, young squad and Ange has given us a great platform to build upon. We should like to express our gratitude to him. We wish him well for the future – he will always be welcome back at our home.
“News on the appointment of a new Head Coach will be announced in due course.”
Postecoglou leaves Spurs with a European medal to his name but without the sustained league success the board had hoped for. The 78-point haul from 66 games was seen as a serious underperformance, despite injuries and securing Champions League football.
Spurs now face a new challenge: appointing a head coach capable of building on Postecoglou’s attacking style while restoring domestic consistency. The squad he leaves behind is young, talented, and, by the club’s own admission, well set up for the future.
As for Ange, he remains one of the few managers to leave Tottenham with a European trophy under his belt. Where he heads next will be watched with real interest, especially by Celtic supporters.
