Ange Postecoglou sacked by Tottenham despite Europa League win

Tottenham Hotspur have sacked Ange Postecoglou despite the Australian guiding the club to victory in the Europa League and ending their 17-year trophy drought.

Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao on May 21, fulfilling Postecoglou’s promise that he “always wins trophies in his second season” at the teams he manages.

However, the north London side finished 17th in the Premier League and suffered their most defeats in a single Premier League season (22).

Spurs lost to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semifinals and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa in the fourth round.

“Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties,” a Tottenham statement read on Friday.

“We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the Club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw.

“However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place.”

Postecoglou took over at Spurs in June 2023, guiding the club to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League and Europa League qualification in his first season in charge.

But Spurs failed to build upon his positive first campaign domestically, with a midseason injury crisis prompting them to plummet down the table and strain Postecoglou’s relationship with the club’s supporters.