Daniel Levy must look to Netherlands amid Tottenham turmoil as sack announced
Daniel Levy must look to recent developments in the Netherlands for inspiration about what to do about Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham.
The Australian is under immense pressure in North London and has been throughout the campaign as the heat rises at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In the space of three days, Spurs were eliminated in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup after a 4-0 loss against Liverpool at Anfield on 6 February before they were knocked out of the FA Cup after a 2-1 loss against Aston Villa (9 February).
Given that the Lilywhites remain rooted in the bottom half of the Premier League, exiting the domestic competitions leaves the side with little left to play for this term – Postecoglou was branded “stupid” following the loss at Villa Park.
The Europa League campaign is all that stands between Postecoglou and the sack, but the safety blanket of European competition could be swept from under his feet should Levy follow the example set in the Netherlands.
Feyenoord show Daniel Levy the managerial blueprint
Although Tottenham can be considered as one of the favourites to lift the Europa League this season, history suggests otherwise.
Ever since the 2019 Champions League final loss against Liverpool, the subsequent record in European competition has left a lot to be desired.
Their exploits in the Europa League and Europa Conference League have yielded no fruit, and that is not expected to change this season. Jeff Stelling suggests sides like Real Sociedad and Galatarasary will be too much for Spurs.
Nevertheless, Postecoglou is fighting for his life, and Levy should not wait to learn the outcome of the Europa League campaign if the chairman already feels it is time for a new manager to take the helm.
According to ESPN (11 February), Feyenoord have sacked Brian Priske and appointed Pascal Bosschaart as interim boss ahead of their Champions League showdown against AC Milan on 12 February.
The Arne Slot successor has been dismissed for less than what Postecoglou has survived in North London, with Feyenoord 12 points off the pace with Eredivisie leaders Ajax and eliminated from the KNVB Cup by PSV.
Now the precedent has been set in Europe, Levy has nowhere to hide.
Ange Postecoglou is running out of time at Tottenham
By all accounts, Postecoglou has been unlucky, but the Tottenham boss is teetering on the edge of being sacked due to his own actions.
After his point-blank refusal to alter his style of play following the 3-0 loss against Nottingham Forest, Alex Crook dubbed Postecoglou as “arrogant”, and it is hard to disagree with the talkSPORT reporter.
Indeed, injuries to key players such as Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero have been a deciding factor in the season’s outcome thus far.
However, once again, Postecoglou was responsible for their long-term absences after he rushed the pair back into action for the 4-3 loss against Chelsea on 8 December, aggravating their existing injuries.
No Carabao Cup final, no FA Cup run and no realistic chance of a European finish this term – all his hopes lie in the Europa League.
Whether Postecoglou can defy the odds remains to be seen, but the Australian will hope the developments at Feyenoord have not influenced Levy’s decision.