Tottenham hoped to restart their season with a statement win after the international break, but their narrow defeat to Chelsea only deepened the growing crisis. The loss marked their 16th in the Premier League this season—fueling further speculation about Ange Postecoglou’s job security.
Despite the mounting pressure and a turbulent campaign, there’s still a silver lining for the Australian manager: the Europa League. Spurs remain in the hunt for their first major trophy in 17 years, and with a quarter-final clash against Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt looming, Postecoglou still has a shot at salvaging the season and reshaping the narrative.
Finance expert Stefan Borson has told Football Insider that Ange Postecoglou’s position at Tottenham hinges entirely on Europa League success, suggesting the Australian is likely to be sacked if he fails to deliver silverware. Borson also expressed his surprise at how much backing the current Spurs squad still receives from fans, despite a string of underwhelming performances that, in his view, warrant serious calls for a rebuild.
In the background, Tottenham’s hierarchy are already preparing for a potential managerial change. Recruitment specialist Mick Brown revealed that Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has emerged as the club’s top target should Postecoglou be dismissed this summer. The Spaniard has earned plaudits for his progressive style and the stability he’s brought to the Cherries since arriving in June 2023, qualities that have clearly caught Spurs’ attention.
Borson believes it’s no surprise that Andoni Iraola has emerged as one of Tottenham’s top managerial targets. He views the Europa League as the only realistic lifeline for Ange Postecoglou, stating that winning the competition could cement a strong end to the season and keep the Australian in charge.
Reflecting on fan sentiment, Borson noted a recent video in which Tottenham supporters reviewed the current squad in a “sell or loan” format. Interestingly, most fans seemed keen to retain the bulk of the players, which he found surprising. He expected a stronger demand for a major squad overhaul but observed that many still see the current group as good enough, at least in their view.
“It feels like a very likely story if Spurs don’t win the Europa League. I think that feels now as if it’s the only thing that can save Postecoglou. “
“I think if he did win the Europa League, then he definitely would stay because that would actually be a very good season in the end. “
“I was sort of surprised by that. I would have expected that people would have been saying ‘Look, we need a really very big overhaul of the squad here with a lot of the players leaving’, but it didn’t seem to be the case.”
If Ange Postecoglou’s tenure at Tottenham is approaching its curtain call, lifting the Europa League would be the perfect parting gift. It wouldn’t just salvage a turbulent campaign, it would immortalise him as the manager who ended the club’s 17-year wait for silverware. For all the criticism and setbacks, delivering a European trophy could rewrite his narrative and offer Spurs fans one unforgettable high.
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