Daniel Levy has publicly addressed the controversial sacking of Ange Postecoglou, just weeks after the Australian manager secured Tottenham Hotspur's first major trophy in 17 years by winning the Europa League. In an interview alongside new CEO Vinai Venkatesham, Levy explained that the "difficult" decision was made in the best interests of the club's long-term ambitions, particularly their desire to win the Premier League title.
The decision to relieve Postecoglou of his duties came as a shock to many, especially after the Europa League victory against Manchester United. However, Levy emphasized that the board felt a change was necessary to compete at the highest level across all competitions. He expressed gratitude for Postecoglou's contributions, acknowledging his role in securing European silverware and improving the team's performance, finishing fifth in his first season. Despite this, Tottenham finished a lowly 17th in the Premier League with only 38 points.
"I'm very grateful to Ange, I don't regret appointing Ange," Levy stated. "In his first season we finished fifth, and in our second finish we were over the moon to win a trophy. But we need to compete in all competitions and we felt that we needed a change." He insisted that the decision was a collective one, made after significant reflection and a review of the team's overall performance. Levy also stressed his excellent relationship with Postecoglou, ensuring that he and his family would always be welcome back at the club.
The timing of the sacking, so soon after the Europa League triumph, drew criticism from fans and pundits alike. Some felt that Postecoglou deserved more time to build on the success and address the team's inconsistencies in the Premier League. Others pointed to the team's poor league form, including a record number of losses, as justification for the change.
Levy's comments highlight the club's ambitious goals and their determination to compete with the top teams in England and Europe. The focus is now firmly on winning the Premier League, a title that has eluded Tottenham for decades. This ambition seemingly outweighed the recent Europa League success in the board's decision-making process.
Tottenham moved swiftly to appoint Thomas Frank as Postecoglou's replacement, paying a reported £10 million in compensation to Brentford. Levy highlighted Frank's intelligence, communication skills, and personality as key factors in his appointment. The club believes that Frank possesses the qualities needed to build on the existing foundation and lead Tottenham to sustained success.
The players' reaction to Postecoglou's sacking was one of anger and disappointment. Several players took to social media to express their gratitude to the Australian manager, with some reports suggesting that the decision has created a difficult environment for the new manager. Only time will tell if Levy's bold decision will pay off and whether Thomas Frank can deliver the Premier League title that Tottenham craves.
