LONDON, June 18, 2025 — Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has admitted that parting ways with manager Ange Postecoglou was an “emotionally difficult” decision, despite the Australian coach delivering the club’s first major trophy in 17 years.
Postecoglou, who joined Spurs in 2023, was dismissed just over two weeks after guiding the North London side to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao — a result that ended the club’s long-standing silverware drought.
However, Spurs’ triumph on the European stage could not mask a disastrous Premier League campaign that saw the club finish 17th, narrowly avoiding relegation. The poor domestic showing ultimately led to Postecoglou’s sacking, with former Brentford manager Thomas Frank announced as his successor.
Speaking to the club’s media team, Levy reflected on the decision and paid tribute to the outgoing coach. “I don’t regret appointing Ange, I’m very grateful to Ange,” he said. “In his first season we finished fifth and in his second 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. Emotionally it was difficult but we feel that we’ve made the right decision for the club.”
Postecoglou’s tenure at Tottenham began with optimism, as he introduced a bold, attacking brand of football that won plaudits across the league.
His first season ended with a respectable fifth-place finish and qualification for the Europa League. Hopes were high for further progression in his second year, but inconsistent performances and defensive frailties saw the team slump alarmingly in the league.
Despite their domestic woes, Spurs enjoyed a memorable Europa League campaign, culminating in a gritty 1-0 win against Manchester United in the final, thanks to a late goal from Son Heung-min. The victory sparked jubilant celebrations among fans and was widely seen as a turning point for the club’s fortunes.
Yet, behind the scenes, concerns over the club’s trajectory were mounting. Sources close to the club say the board remained unconvinced by the team’s league form and questioned Postecoglou’s ability to deliver long-term consistency.
Levy’s decision to appoint Thomas Frank signals a fresh direction. The Danish coach earned praise during his time at Brentford for building a competitive team on a modest budget and playing a disciplined, structured style of football.
Frank will now be tasked with stabilising Tottenham in the Premier League and ensuring the club’s return to domestic competitiveness. He inherits a squad rich in talent but low on confidence after a turbulent season.
As for Postecoglou, he leaves Spurs having delivered a long-awaited trophy and restored a measure of pride to the club. While his departure may seem harsh to many fans, Levy insisted that difficult decisions are sometimes necessary.
“Our ambition is to be at the top end of every competition we enter,” he said. “We thank Ange for his contribution and wish him all the best for the future.”
The spotlight now turns to Frank, who faces the formidable challenge of reshaping a side that has tasted both glory and despair in equal measure.
