Ange Postecoglou sacked as Tottenham Hotspur manager despite winning UEFA Europa League to end club's trophy drought
Updated 06/06/2025 at 20:43 GMT+1
Ange Postecoglou has been sacked as Tottenham Hotspur head coach after finishing 17th in the Premier League, despite ending the club's 17-year wait for a major trophy. The Australian guided Spurs to UEFA Europa League glory to earn Champions League football next season, but it was not enough to secure his future for a third campaign in north London after a record-low points finish domestically.
Highlights: Postecoglou delivers as Spurs beat Man Utd to end trophy drought
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ange Postecoglou has been sacked as Tottenham Hotspur head coach, the Premier League club has announced.
The move comes less than a month after the Australian manager guided Spurs to their first major trophy since 2008.
Postecoglou's side defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final in May to win their first piece of significant silverware since they beat Chelsea to claim the 2008 League Cup under Juande Ramos.
The victory over The Red Devils also meant Postecoglou delivered on his claim that he always wins silverware in his second season with a club.
However, it was not enough for the 59-year-old to keep his job for a third season after Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League, just one place above the relegation zone.
Postecoglou said that his time at Spurs filled him with pride in a statement following his departure.
"When I reflect on my time as Manager of Tottenham Hotspur my overriding emotion is one of pride," read the statement.
"The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime.
"Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget.
"That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream.
"There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible.
"We have also laid foundations that mean this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success.
"I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them."
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Tottenham's points total of 38 was their lowest in Premier League history, eclipsing their previous record low of 44 in the 1997/98 campaign.
The north London side's hopes of a domestic trophy this season were ended in the space of four days in February, with a 4-0 defeat in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool being followed by a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
There were several low points during the league campaign, including Leicester City's 2-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which ended a seven-match losing streak in the league for the visitors.
"I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters," Postecoglou added.
"I know there were some difficult times but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on.
"It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis.
"And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years.
"A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special.
"We are forever connected. Audere est Facere"
Spurs faced a number of injury issues this season, with Guglielmo Vicario, Dominic Solanke, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie among those who spent extended periods on the treatment table.
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'Season three is better than season two' - Postecoglou's stirring trophy parade speech
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tensions between Postecoglou and the Spurs fans appeared particularly high during the defeat away to rivals Chelsea in March.
However, the Europa League triumph seemed to get large parts of the fanbase back on side.
He joined his players for an open-top bus parade through north London as part of the celebrations in the days following the final.
But European glory was not enough for the owners to stick with him for a third campaign, as attention now turns to his replacement.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been linked with the role in recent weeks.
Frank guided The Bees from the Championship to the Premier League after becoming manager in 2018 and has since cemented their place in the top tier of English football.
Their attacking style was exciting to watch during the 2024/25 campaign, filled with high-scoring matches and dramatic comebacks to ultimately finish 10th in the Premier League.
Despite leading Brentford to a more successful domestic campaign than Spurs, the prospect of Champions League football next season could be enough to lure Frank away from west London.
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Postecoglou promises to ‘keep on winning trophies until I finish’
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tottenham are also said to have shown interest in Marco Silva, who managed Fulham to 11th in the Premier League and an FA Cup quarter-final during 2024/25.
They may face tough competition in trying to secure the Portuguese, with Juventus reportedly identifying him as a target, too.
However, Silva recently stated he would be staying at Craven Cottage next season, after reportedly turning down an offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
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