Champion but Sacked? The Tragic Tale of Ange Postecoglou Amid Spurs’ Europa Euphoria

LONDON – On a night that should have been filled with joy for Tottenham Hotspur, dark clouds loomed over the club. Ange Postecoglou, the manager who just delivered a long-awaited Europa League trophy and ended the club’s 17-year title drought, is reportedly on the brink of dismissal. Ironic, that the man who brought glory is now awaiting the axe.

The 2024/2025 Europa League final saw Tottenham face Manchester United in Rotterdam. A lone goal from Brennan Johnson secured Spurs’ first European trophy since 1984. But behind the jubilation, Postecoglou’s position was under siege due to a disastrous domestic campaign.

Tottenham finished 17th in the Premier League table, collecting just 38 points from 38 matches. It was their worst league finish since 1977—only two points clear of the relegation zone. Even worse, they suffered 22 defeats in a single season—the most in the club’s Premier League era without being relegated.

Chairman Daniel Levy is believed to have considered dismissing Postecoglou even before the Europa League final. The European triumph wasn’t strong enough to secure his position. Internal reports suggest the relationship between the manager, club executives, and portions of the fanbase had soured since mid-season. Distrust echoed from the stands, the boardroom, and even parts of the dressing room.

While players like James Maddison and Cristian Romero publicly voiced their support for the manager, pressure from within the club proved overwhelming. Reports suggest Tottenham are already evaluating potential replacements, including Brentford’s head coach Thomas Frank.

This season has been nothing short of a paradox. On one hand, Spurs were brilliant in Europe. On the other, they lacked consistency in domestic competitions and were vulnerable at the back. They only reached the EFL Cup semifinals and were eliminated in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Below are the key statistics from Tottenham Hotspur’s 2024/2025 season under Ange Postecoglou:

Tottenham Hotspur Key Stats 2024/2025 (Postecoglou Era)

• Premier League: 17th place (38 points)

• Losses: 22 (most in club’s Premier League history without relegation)

• Wins: 11

• EFL Cup: Semifinals

• FA Cup: Fourth round

• Europa League: Champions (1-0 vs Manchester United)

• Top Scorer: Brennan Johnson (18 goals)

• Top Assist Provider: Son Heung-min (12 assists)

This season will be remembered as one full of contradictions: Tottenham finally lifted a trophy, yet the man who led them there now stands on the edge. A tragic tale of how football can be cruel, even in moments of triumph.

Tottenham may have won the Europa League. But they also laid bare the harshest truth of modern football—that sometimes, one trophy is not enough to save a career.