Ange Postecoglou was a man facing huge pressure ahead of the biggest game in Tottenham's largely wretched season, but Spurs delivered in the Europa League final, giving the club a massive decision to make.
Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League table in one of their worst domestic campaigns in living memory, but a clunky 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao saw the club end its lengthy trophy drought and secure a spot in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.
Postecoglou defended his bold second-season claim, lifting a trophy two years after joining the North London club. This success was not enough, though.
Postecoglou has lost more Premier League games this season than Pochettino did across three campaigns at Spurs 😳 pic.twitter.com/wT8h6xrqDp
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) April 21, 2025
It was confirmed on June 6 that Spurs had sacked the Australian, meaning attention will now turn towards his successor.
MORE: Final Golden Boot rankings for 2024/25 Premier League
Tottenham sack Ange Postecoglou
On April 22, the Telegraph's Matt Law reported that Postecoglou would be leaving Spurs regardless of whether they win the Europa League.
This proved to be correct: on June 6, it was widely reported that Spurs had decided to dismiss the manager.
Postecoglou himself had remained defiant amid the speculation over his future, often clashing with members of the media and suggesting that coverage of Spurs has been unfairly negative.
Speaking before the 5-1 loss at Liverpool, he also made it clear that he was working with a long-term plan in mind.
"That was the brief, that was why I came: to change the way the club played its football, to regenerate a squad because it was coming to the end of a cycle, and to win trophies," he told Sky Sports.
"I still feel like that's the motivation and they were the objectives for me coming here and that's what I'm determined to see out. I haven't tried to change the initial mission, which was to play football that excites the fans, to bring some exciting young talent to the club, and hopefully succeed.
"Provided you stay true to yourself, your head hits the pillow at night and you're fine. In those moments, if you change what you believe in, or your values, or who you are as a person, that's where you do have those sleepless nights. That's happened at times in my career but as you get older you realise that it's like every other storm, they all pass."
MORE: All the latest Tottenham news
Why Spurs sacked Ange Postecoglou
Spurs issued a lengthy statement to explain that, despite it being "one of the toughest decisions we have had to make", they were left with no choice but to change manager.
"Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties.
"Ange joined us from Celtic in the summer of 2023 and oversaw a period of change on the pitch, returning us to the attacking brand of football that has traditionally been associated with the Club, while writing a new chapter in our history by leading us to UEFA Europa League glory in Bilbao last month - an achievement that will live with us all forever.
"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. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances - injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the Club’s greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph.
"It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond. This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision.
"We have a talented, young squad and Ange has given us a great platform to build upon. We should like to express our gratitude to him. We wish him well for the future - he will always be welcome back at our home.
"News on the appointment of a new Head Coach will be announced in due course."
Next Tottenham manager candidates
While it remains highly speculative, a few names have emerged as potentially strong candidates to succeed Postecoglou at Spurs.
Thomas Frank
In early June, Brentford boss Thomas Frank quickly emerged as the frontrunner to take over at Spurs.
The Danish coach has performed superbly with the Bees but has arguably taken them as far as he can, so a move to Tottenham would represent a positive career step. He also reportedly has a buy-out clause in his Brentford contract, meaning there would be an easy route if Spurs do not want to negotiate over compensation.
Frank made Brentford difficult to beat at home and a ruthless counter-attacking side, but some of their performances, particularly on the road, arguably have not matched up to the sort of demands many Spurs fans have.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss Marco Silva is also among the top candidates for the job.
As another man with Premier League experience who wouldn't have to uproot to take over at Spurs, Silva also ticks the box as a coach who generally favours a front-foot, attacking brand of football — the kind Tottenham fans expect of their team.
He would probably cost a little less to prise away from his current job thank Frank would, too.
Mauricio Pochettino
Speculation emerged in April suggesting former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino could make a sensational return to the club, but that seems far less likely now.
Pochettino was appointed USMNT coach last September, but defeats to Panama and Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League in March prompted heavy criticism. It's always felt unlikely Pochettino would walk away before the chance to lead USA at a home World Cup in 2026, but it's not out of the question.
Andoni Iraola
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is producing impressive results with the Cherries, so it is not surprising to see him linked with Spurs. It would likely cost a sizeable fee in terms of compensation to get him away from one of the surprise packages in this Premier League season, but Iraola would probably be tempted at least to speak with the club.
Kieran McKenna
Ipswich Town got their first league win of the season at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Kieran McKenna won plenty of admirers for his work at the club despite them being mired in a relegation battle all season. Linked with the Chelsea job before Enzo Maresca was appointed, McKenna would more likely consider a move to Spurs after Ipswich's relegation to the Championship.
Xavi Hernandez
Out of work since leaving Barcelona last year, Xavi is another unlikely candidate who nonetheless appears quite high in the list of favourites. The former midfield star has delivered trophies as a coach in both Spain and Qatar, and after taking a year out, he could be tempted to try his hand in the Premier League.