Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur's Latest Victim of Disorientation

Coach Ange Postecoglou had promised Tottenham Hotspur fans that his third season would be better than the second. That promise sounded realistic, but it will never come to fruition. Postecoglou was dismissed just two weeks after leading Spurs to their first championship in 17 years.

Spurs announced their separation from the coach through a release on the club's official website, on Friday (6/6/2025 WIB). The club expressed gratitude to Postecoglou for successfully winning the Europa League trophy this season. However, that achievement will be his final contribution with "The Lilywhites."

The main reason for Postecoglou's dismissal was the results in the English League. They finished in 17th place, the lowest in the club's history in the Premier League. "Although winning the Europa League was one of the greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on fleeting emotions," explained the club.

Spurs owner Daniel Levy is dissatisfied with the inconsistency displayed by Son Heung-min and his teammates throughout the season. They performed quite well in the Europa League, but very poorly in the domestic league. The domestic league, which consists of 38 matches in a season, is considered a more accurate measure of the club's performance.

The Spurs recorded a record of 11 wins, 5 draws, and 22 losses in the 2024-25 season. They played very offensively and became one of the highest-scoring teams with 64 goals, but conceded 65 goals at the same time. The Spurs only accumulated 38 points, a significant decrease compared to Postecoglou's first season (66 points).

For context, the decline was also influenced by various factors. One of them was the storm of injuries that hit the Spurs squad throughout the season. From defender Micky van de Ven to striker Son, they took turns entering the treatment room. According to The Athletic, only full-back Pedro Porro played more than 75 percent of Spurs' total minutes in the Premier League. The majority of players were below 50 percent.

Injuries are often associated with luck. However, at Spurs, there is another factor that is suspected to play a significant role in the injury crisis. It is the offensive playing style of Postecoglou, or "Angeball," which requires peak physical condition throughout 90 minutes. The players consistently display an exceptionally high defensive line and apply intense pressure after losing the ball, even when in a leading position.

The “White Lily” squad is often forced to run more and more often than the opposing team. Records at the beginning of last season, October 2024, issued by BBC Sport can slightly illustrate the hard work of the Spurs players. Spurs were recorded as the team with the most sprints, 1,078 times, after two months of the league.

It is no coincidence that the majority of Spurs players are suffering from muscle issues. These problems are usually related to excessive workload management on the field, not merely a matter of bad luck. This means that Postecoglou has indirectly contributed to the injury crisis faced by the club.

Next, regarding the continuity of "Angeball." Can this system bring consistency for Spurs to compete at the top? This has yet to be proven by Postecoglou. He has not found the equilibrium between offensive playing style and the defensive solidity of his team, as seen in the last two seasons.

The Spurs indeed finished in fifth place last season. However, the number of goals they conceded was quite high, reaching 61 goals. No team can compete for the championship with such a high number of goals conceded. The Spurs' playing style is too open to consistently secure three points each week.

The Europa Cup final became a paradox for Postecoglou. The coach led the team to the championship title with a pragmatic style of play when facing Manchester United. He has always been celebrated for "Angeball," yet he was uncertain about this approach in the club's most important match.

Levy's decision to dismiss Postecoglou may seem reasonable. However, a different perspective emerges when viewed from a broader context. For instance, the last decade. The dismissal of Postecoglou only highlights Spurs' disorientation as a "Classic Big Six" club that remains entangled in mediocrity.

The priority of Spurs when recruiting Postecoglou and in recent seasons has been to bring home trophies. They need a championship title to end the drought of titles since 2008. A breakthrough is necessary to restore the confidence of the entire club as well as its fans.

Postecoglou successfully created that oasis, but was dismissed shortly after bringing in the trophy. The coach was not even given a slight chance to start a third season at Spurs. In fact, he was in the best momentum throughout his coaching of "The Lilywhites" in the last two seasons.

The disorientation at Spurs becomes increasingly evident when considering the fates of previous coaches. Mauricio Pochettino was dismissed just a few months after leading the club to its first Champions League final. Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho was ousted just six days before the English League Cup final.

Mourinho will never forget the most magical incident in his career. "The only club that I haven't quite loved is Tottenham. Perhaps it is because the stadium was empty due to the Covid-19 pandemic or Levy not allowing me to win in the final and secure a trophy," he said in May 2023, about two years after being dismissed.

No one truly knows Levy's desires. Spurs have replaced four managers in the last six years, not including interim coaches. There have been pragmatic-type managers who prioritize results, such as Mourinho and Antonio Conte. There is also Postecoglou, who brought an entertaining offensive style of play. However, all ended up being dismissed before entering their third season.

Conte's candid remarks a few days before his dismissal may hold some truth. He hinted that the club struggles to progress because the owner seems to have accepted a mediocre status all this time. This is what tarnished Conte's career with "The White Lily," as he was nearly always able to leave a golden mark at every club he joined.

Spurs are well-known for the slogan "to dare is to do," which links courage and action. The problem is that they dare to make risky decisions, but more often than not, they find themselves heading in the wrong direction. This courage often manifests at unnecessary times, as is the case now. (AP/REUTERS)