Ange Postecoglou could be set for Tottenham sack as last condition emerges
Ange Postecoglou’s future at Tottenham remains under pressure despite coming from behind to draw with Bournemouth on Sunday.
The Lilywhites were 2-0 down in the 65th minute, with Bournemouth also having had a goal disallowed for offside and the North London outfit looked set for defeat.
However, a Pape Matar Sarr cross-turned-goal before a Son Hueng-min penalty meant Postecoglou’s rescued an unlikely 2-2 draw.
Simon Jordan sets Postecoglou challenge
Tottenham may have gained a point against a Bournemouth side who are in good shape this term but there is still plenty of work to do for the manager to secure his future in North London.
The Lilywhites find themselves sitting 13th in the Premier League and after being knocked out of both domestic cups, there is only one thing on Postecoglou’s mind now.
The Europa League is the only way Tottenham can bring silverware back to the club this season and with the boss reiterating his ability to win trophies in his second season, the pressure is intense.
However, a 1-0 loss away at AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their round of 16 tie last week means there is a big job lying ahead for Spurs on Thursday (13 March), as they seek a way to progress.
Simon Jordan has admitted he is not sure if Postecoglou has too much time left in North London, saying on talkSPORT (10 March, 11:55 am), “I would think so. I would think it’s a difficult case to make for Ange.
“I think there’s lots of reasons Tottenham have been ineffective this season, but the argument is constantly about their playing squad and injuries. I’ve seen their squad out and losing games when they’ve had a fully loaded squad, and I’ve seen a squad that’s been depleted losing to teams that even with depletion, they should be able to overcome.
“I don’t want any manager to particularly be sacked or want to go in that dialect about who gets fired and talk about the sack race.
“If they don’t win the Europa League and they finish 13th in the league I think it would be a difficult argument to make in certain people’s minds as to whether Ange Postecoglou keeps his job.”
Postecoglu Tottenham future riding on Europa League
Postecoglou has been quick to blame injuries for his disappointing season and while it certainly has had a part to play, as Jordan points out, they have lost games in all instances, meaning there has to be other factors at play.
Wayne Rooney has pointed out that Postecoglou’s lack of adaptability to suit both the players he has available and the opponents being faced has been a fall down for Spurs and it’s hard to disagree.
The Lilywhites were outplayed against AZ Alkmaar in the first leg and they now have to score a minimum of two goals if they are to see themselves through to the next round of the Europa League.
| Team | Possession | Shots | Shots on target |
| Tottenham | 62% | 7 | 1 |
| AZ Alkmaar | 38% | 12 | 5 |
If Tottenham did win the trophy, it could just be enough to see Postecoglou stay put but with the expectations of significant improvement next term.
However, if Tottenham crash out of another cup and end their season, it is hard to see a world in which Daniel Levy can defend a choice to stand by the manager.