Ange Postecoglou can end Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League final against Manchester United, but even victory in Bilbao on Wednesday might not be enough to save him from the sack.
The pressure is mounting on Postecoglou as his debut season with Spurs nears its climax. Tottenham’s campaign has been plagued by inconsistency, and their domestic form has left fans disheartened.
Currently sitting near the bottom of the Premier League table with just one fixture remaining, the north London club is at risk of recording its worst league finish in nearly five decades.
However, a glimmer of hope remains in Europe. Postecoglou has steered his injury-hit squad to the Europa League final, overcoming tough knockout rounds against AZ Alkmaar, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Bodo/Glimt. A win in the final would not only deliver long-awaited silverware but also secure a return to Champions League football.
Despite this potential success, Postecoglou’s job security is far from assured. Club chairman Daniel Levy is reportedly already exploring replacements, with names such as Thomas Frank, Oliver Glasner, and Marco Silva circulating in the media.
Postecoglou’s situation has been made worse by his own early-season confidence. Back in September, he boldly claimed he “always wins things” in his second season. Now, with the team languishing and 21 league defeats on record—a new club low in the Premier League era—critics have turned those words against him.
Tottenham’s injury woes have only compounded the situation. Key players including James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Lucas Bergvall will all miss the final. Still, Postecoglou remains proud of how his squad has handled adversity.
“We’ve dealt with adversity all year, particularly around our injury situation, and player availability,” he told UEFA.com. “I have a great admiration and respect for this group of players. And I’m really hoping they’ll get the reward for that come the final.”
Midfielder Yves Bissouma also showed support for his manager. “He’s like a dad or uncle for us. He’s always protecting us. Every game when we lose or win. He’s got a top mentality. He understands football. He knows it’s up and down. He never blames players,” Bissouma said.
