Ange Postecoglou makes huge Tottenham exit admission – ‘I’m gone’
Tottenham Hotspur know their entire season and the future of Ange Postecoglou hinges on their Europa League progress – the script has been repeated to death.
But that is by virtue of how long Spurs have had to wait for their quarter-final tie with Eintracht Frankfurt (10 April) to roll around, having finally returned to winning ways in the Premier League over the weekend.
The victory which relegated Southampton and cost Ivan Juric his job will have brought a degree of sympathy from Postecoglou, whose future has remained intact by a thread for months.
Postecoglou makes major call – ‘I’m gone’
Tottenham will begin their Europa League quarters tie by hosting Frankfurt in North London, before heading to Germany next week (17 April).
It is now non-negotiable that Postecoglou has to keep Spurs’ sole remaining trophy hopes alive to keep hold of his employment – at least that’s what many are assuming of Daniel Levy.
The Australian is under immense pressure and has been in the game long enough to know deep down his job is untenable if the Bundesliga outfit overcome his men in the last eight.
Postecoglou was in his usual transparent mood in the pre-match press conference for Thursday’s first leg, claiming supporters want him gone even if he lifts the Europa League trophy – which would be a first in 17 years.
“That’s just the general sentiment of people writing even if we win it, I’m gone anyway,” he said, as quoted by the Daily Mirror (9 April).
“That’s not having a go, that’s just the general sentiment of the people.”
Tottenham may still keep hold of Ange with European triumph
For all Postecoglou’s flaws – many of which have come to the fore before and after matches with the media rather than just across each 90 minutes – his self-awareness speaks as loudly as his brutal honesty.
The Spurs boss will never maintain an elephant in the room. Whether it’s his much-mooted sacking, the obvious issues with VAR, or an issue surrounding one of his players, he remains box-office.
| Ange Postecoglou – Tottenham record | |
| Matches | 89 |
| Wins | 43 |
| Draws | 13 |
| Losses | 33 |
| Win percentage | 48.31% |
But Postecoglou might be jumping the gun if he’s serious about being given his marching orders even if Spurs win the Europa League.
It would be a massive and potentially tide-turning moment for the Lilywhites and their supporters, who have an apathetic but ever-so-slightly hopeful attitude towards the final weeks of the campaign. For now, it’s onto Germany – via N17.