Shearer and Richards clash over ‘mad’ Ange Postecoglou sack news at Tottenham
Tottenham came crashing back down to earth with a 4-1 defeat against Brighton on the final day of the Premier League season.
After the Lilywhites lifted the Europa League trophy on Wednesday (21 May), seeing off Manchester United 1-0, there was a relief that the season had been saved.
However, a 22nd Premier League defeat of the campaign has put the focus back on Ange Postecoglou, leaving questions over what the future holds.
Alan Shearer and Michah Richards react to Postecoglou comments
While the Europa League has been a source of joy for those in north London this season, there is no doubt that Premier League form has not been good enough.
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost |
| 38 | 11 | 5 | 22 |
Sitting just one position above the relegation zone in the final league standings certainly highlights that, and despite ending a 17-year wait for a trophy, that may not be enough anymore.
There have been conversations surrounding the boss’ future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium throughout the campaign, and he seemingly has no clarity either, with responses to questions about his future being rather coy.
Speaking in his post-match interview after the final loss of the season, Postecoglou said he would “hopefully” be back in pre-season to get going again, which posed a question over his future once more.
When asked live on Match of the Day (25 May) if he thought the Australian would be at Spurs next season, Alan Shearer replied: “It doesn’t sound like it, no. Even with his words at the end in his interview when he’s saying hopefully I’ll be there for pre-season, no.”
Micah Richards was quick to disagree with his fellow pundit, as he replied: “I think he will, I think he will.”
Shearer went on to make his feelings clear as he said: “I mean, doesn’t it just sort of sum football up if he’s not going to be there after winning a trophy? Their first in 17 years, and that’s not deemed good enough. Mad.”
Daniel Levy has big decision at Tottenham
After saving the season with a trophy and securing Champions League football for next season, the pressure is on Spurs to press on now.
However, Daniel Levy has a massive decision on his hands with the prospect of both sticking and twisting proving to be a risky one.
As Shearer points out, Postecoglou has ended the trophy drought at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, putting all of his efforts into the European competition in the final months of the season.
Therefore, making a change at this stage could disrupt the flow of things and limit the progress made next term.
However, if the Spurs chief keeps the boss in place and the dismal league form continues next season, he will no doubt find himself under plenty of criticism for a failure to read the warning signs that were on full display.