Tottenham Hotspur are going through the identical management dilemma with Ange Postecoglou that Manchester United endured with Erik ten Hag.
Solely this time, it appears a decision has been made regardless of having an opportunity to carry a bit of silverware again to White Hart Lane.
Postecoglou’s tenure at Spurs has been below the highlight for months as Tottenham edge nearer to recording their worst ever end within the Premier League.
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The highlight that’s on the Australian attracts comparability to that of ten Hag, given each managers’ destiny with their respective golf equipment hinged on profitable a title.
Ten Hag’s two-and-a-half yr reign over Old Trafford got here to an abrupt finish in October because the membership appeared to discover a new path to resolve their rocky run of performances.
The previous Crimson Devils boss had gained the FA Cup with United simply 4 months previous to his axing.
Erik ten Hag with Ange Postecoglou. Manchester United by way of Getty Imag
Although Postecoglou’s future seemingly is banking on a title like ten Hag’s was, former Socceroos participant Craig Foster believes the Aussie has confirmed he has what it takes to search out success with a workforce whatever the obstacles thrown in his path.
“Whether or not Ange wins the Europa League or in any other case shouldn’t essentially be the determinant,” Foster informed Huge World of Sports activities.
“When accidents are considering, the workforce is working at a top-five or six place within the EPL in his second season, just like his first.
“On that view alone, Ange ought to actually be given a 3rd season, regardless of leads to the Europa League, though a semi ultimate and certain ultimate solely provides weight to that view.
“The noise across the membership is in fact reaching fever pitch due to EPL outcomes, nevertheless slightly than change between coaches and philosophies, in some unspecified time in the future the membership might want to resolve the way it needs to method the sport of soccer, and provides belief over a couple of or two seasons to somebody to create consistency.
“In any other case, inserting all religion in one other saviour is hardly the reply.
“The query is whether or not Spurs believes that Ange is working in the best means in direction of a future the place the soccer matches the expectations of membership and followers, and is able to profitable the EPL and competing within the Champions League, as was the case in 2019.”
Ange Postecoglou’s workforce has conceded 49 objectives with two video games left within the EPL season. Offside by way of Getty Pictures
The choice to axe Postecoglou at this level in his tenure aligns with those that served as supervisor at Tottenham previously, with the typical particular person solely lasting slightly below two years within the position.
The likes of Mauricio Pochettino, who has been linked to succeed Postecoglou, and Harry Redknapp are exceptions.
The likes of Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Nuno Espirito Santo have gone on to have success with rival golf equipment.
“It’s clear that Tottenham is a graveyard for coaches,” Foster mentioned.
“Among the world’s greatest and most profitable, equivalent to Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, each of whom talked a couple of membership tradition of failure and that this needs to be addressed earlier than one other coach is changed.
“Some, like Nuno Espirito Santo, are proving their high quality at different golf equipment equivalent to Nottingham Forest whereas Spurs vacillate from one alternative to a different.
“Spurs usually are not alone. Manchester United are related… there’s little proof that fixed change of philosophy bears outcomes over time.
“With a purpose to change this, Spurs might want to keep away from the fixed cycle of sackings and place belief in somebody they consider has the flexibility to take the membership to the following stage. As Australians, we wish to consider that’s Ange Postecoglou.
“He has actually earned the best to a 3rd season and to reveal what a totally match squad is ready to obtain. He has additionally labored within the pursuits of the membership, which isn’t at all times the case.
“Many coaches will spend exorbitant quantities of cash on quick time period participant options that buttress at present however do nothing to construct the longer term.
“Ange has largely invested in younger expertise which is able to emerge in coming seasons, slightly than to avoid wasting his job this yr. This needs to be taken under consideration and revered by the membership’s fanbase.”
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Former Spurs managers Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo. Getty
Spurs boss Daniel Levy’s brutal axings previously have seen managers vacate their roles whereas sitting within the higher half of the Premier League desk, with Pochettino’s squad the bottom ranked at 14th.
Postecoglou’s males are positioned 16th overall on the table, with the main focus closely set on success in Europe.
However as many others like ten Hag have confirmed, success in Europa League won’t at all times comply with into the English competitors the next season.
“A nicely run membership doesn’t make choices solely on the outcomes of a single competitors, however slightly on the steadiness of the entire work of the coach, the development of the play, the elevation of particular person gamers, whether or not previous or improvement of younger expertise,” mentioned Foster.
“Many golf equipment win the Europa League and go nowhere in following seasons, so it’s not essentially the reply, only one a part of it.
“Making the semi ultimate demonstrates that Ange is ready to handle leads to European competitors, extra spectacular with the tough season the squad has skilled and which is vital to Spurs, and solely provides weight to the argument for him to remain an extra yr.
“Given all of the accidents, the excessive quantity of objectives scored and the EL outcomes, there are sound causes to consider that subsequent season’s outcomes will higher mirror the progress of the workforce.”
The place Postecoglou will land subsequent if he’s to depart Tottenham stays unknown, however the “Spurs journey shouldn’t be over but.”
“Profitable the Europa League – which may be very attainable – will likely be a serious feather in his cap and great achievement, and would improve his alternative to safe a serious position within the prime 5 European leagues or elsewhere,” Foster mentioned.
“Given how the season has unfolded, a Europa League win is the perfect situation for Ange and Australian soccer. One thing that can elevate all Australian coaches.
“Allow us to acknowledge the significance and groundbreaking nature of an Aussie coach reaching the semi finals of the second tier European cup competitors, one thing that has by no means occurred earlier than.
“No matter occurs in forthcoming video games, or for subsequent season, that’s an excellent achievement that Australian soccer is immensely happy and happy with.
“Let’s hope that Ange stays for a 3rd season for the planning and improvement of the play to search out its full expression.”
