"It doesn’t shock me at all": World reacts to Postecoglou's sacking

After two years of being Tottenham manager to the day, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties by Tottenham despite ending the club’s 17-year wait for a trophy after winning the Europa League final.

The Australian made history for Tottenham last month after leading the side to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao Spain.

It was the first time Spurs won a trophy in Europe since 1984 and the club’s first major trophy in 17 years.

Postecoglou famously said he “always wins silverware in his second season” when he took the job with Spurs. At a victory parade, he told fans that “for all the best TV shows season three is better than season two”.

Sadly, a third season with the North London club is not on the cards with Daniel Levy and other executives bringing an end to the 59-year-old’s tenure.

While hugely disappointing for Postecoglou fans, for many it will not come as a surprise with his future under a cloud of speculation since Christmas.

On the domestic front, 2024-25 was the worst Premier League season in history for Tottenham and despite victory in Europe was never going to save his job.

POSTECOGLOU: "Experience will live with me for a lifetime"

Postecoglou has released his own statement about the news of him and Tottenham parting ways.

In this statement, he said he was grateful to have been given the opportunity to lead a club as big as Spurs.

“The opportunity to lead one of England’s historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime," he said.

“Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget."

He would also acknowledge the challenges that he faced whilst in the job as well as thanking the players for their support during difficult times.

"There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible,” he said.

“We have also laid the foundation that means this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success.

“I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them”.

He also thanked the Spurs’ fans and admitted “there were some difficult times” and “it’s important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis”.

“And finally I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years.

“A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special”.

TOTTENHAM: "This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make"

In a club statement, Tottenham stated that despite Postecoglou achieving success on the continent, his form in the Premier League in particular last season was too hard to look past.

"Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties," Spurs said.

"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."

WHATELEY: "(Tottenham is) a miserable club run by miserable people"

SEN's Gerard Whateley would slam the decision that Spurs made at the start of SEN's Crunch Time this morning calling Tottenham "the most foolish club in all of sports".

“As we begin our work today, a special cheerio to the most foolish club in all of sport, this is Tottenham Hotspur,” Whateley said.

“It’s a high bar to reach and its ridiculous owner Daniel Levy, who is now worthy of an appalling cameo in the worst Bridget Jones movie.

“They do not know what they have done, and they have never heard of the phrase ‘In Ange we trust’.

“One day, they’ll look at that trophy and think, ‘What did we do to that man? Oh, we sacked him’.

"A miserable club run by miserable people that will know nothing but misery for years to come."

SON: "You’ve changed the trajectory of this club"

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has publicly thanked Postecoglou for his time at Spurs.

In a post to his Instagram account, Son declared that the manager has changed the trajectory of the club and that the Australian is now a Tottenham legend despite only lasting two seasons.

"Gaffer. You’ve changed the trajectory of this club," Son said.

"You believed in yourself, and us, since day one and never wavered for a second. Even when others did.

"You knew what we were capable of all along. You did it your way. And your way brought this club the best night it’s had in decades. We will have those memories for life.

"You trusted me with the captaincy. One of the highest honours of my career.

"It’s been an incredible privilege to learn from your leadership up close, I am a better player and a better person because of you.

"Ange Postecoglou, you are a Tottenham Hotspur legend forever.

"Thank you, mate."

SHERINGHAM: "I'm devastated for Ange"

The reaction to this news in the UK has come in thick and fast across the day.

Tottenham legend Teddy Sheringham is in disbelief that Postecoglou was sacked following their success in the Europa League during a difficult season.

Sheringham made 236 appearances for Spurs.

Speaking on UK sports radio station TalkSport, he noted his disappointment with the decision.

"I'm devastated for Ange," Sheringham said.

“He’s come in there, he’s had a real rough ride last season with losing players through injury,” he said.

“To sack him straight away is very, very hard.

“That’s the worst part about it, it’s another change again”.

REDKNAPP: “I thought it was a certainty"

Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admitted that the news of Postecoglou’s sacking did not surprise him believing that it was a certainty.

Redknapp managed Tottenham Hotspur between 2008 to 2012.

Speaking with TalkSport, he felt that Postecoglou’s sacking would be a certainty after chairman Daniel Levy did not come out and back Postecoglou after his Europa League victory.

“I thought it was a certainty, it doesn’t shock me at all,” Redknapp said.

“Daniel (Levy) has had two weeks since the cup final to have come out and said, ‘Look, he’s our manager, why all the speculation? He’s here for next season.’

“From day one after they won that cup, he never came out Daniel and said a word…I knew then for sure that he was finished.”

PORRO: "Thank you for everything, boss"

Tributes from current players for their former manager have been coming throughout the day.

This includes Spain's Pedro Porro. Porro would post a picture of the two embracing one another on Instagram alongside a written tribute to the Australian.

In the caption, the defender thanks Postecoglou for the guidance that he provided to him during his tenure.

"Thank you for everything, boss," his tribute read.

"For mentoring me early on, helping me settle into the club, and trusting me out on the pitch.

"I’ll always be grateful for the way you led us, defended us, and kept us going through all the highs and lows.

"Above everything, you gave us one of the greatest moments in the club’s history and for that, you’ll always be celebrated. Wishing you all the very best, boss 🤍"

VICARIO: "You are an incredible person to work for"

Spurs and Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has also posted a picture to Instagram to acknowledge and thank Postecoglou.

Vicario was the first player that Postecoglou signed to Tottenham during the summer transfer window of 2023.

Since signing, Vicario has played 74 games at Spurs.

"Boss, I just want to say a massive thank you for everything you have done for me and for all of us," Vicario stated.

"From that very first call, right from the beginning, you always showed so much belief in me.

"Giving me the opportunity to be part of the leadership group… those moments, and many others, will stay with me forever.

"You are not only a top manager, you are an incredible person to work for, a real leader, a mentor, and someone I’ll always look up to.

"What we achieved TOGETHER will stay in the history books.

"Wishing you nothing but success as I know you will go on to achieve more and more.

"Thank you, Boss. Forever grateful, Vic."

TUCHEL: "It is sometimes not even enough to win a trophy"

Current England manager Thomas Tuchel would also way in on Postecoglou's sacking during his press conference for the Three Lions' World Cup qualifier against Andorra.

Tuchel would note the pressure that managers can find themselves in despite being successful.

The German could attest to this feeling himself having been sacked by Chelsea in 2022 after winning the Champions League the season prior.

"It just shows you that it is not only about titles," Tuchel said.

"You can survive seasons without titles if your connection, the support and the belief and the trust between the coach and the club is strong. Then you can overcome seasons without titles.

"If there is slight disbelief, if there are concerns, if the trust is not there anymore, obviously then it is sometimes not even enough to win a trophy after so many years."

HART: "I think it’s harsh"

English goalkeeper Joe Hart felt the decision to sack Postecoglou was a particularly harsh one.

Hart had played under Postecoglou during his time at Celtic. The former England No. 1 has credited the Australian manager for bringing his love for the game back.

Hart told UK broadcaster TNT Sports that he could understand how Spurs came to their decision. However, he feels that Postecoglou should hold his head up high despite the outcome.

"I can see both sides of the argument, but I think it’s harsh. He’s delivered something nobody has been able to do in such a long time," Hart said of the decision.

"It was a risky, risky tactic for him to stand there and say he’ll win a trophy, but it was absolutely huge for him to achieve it.

"I’m mega proud of what he’s done, and I think he should hold his head up high and if that’s how they want to treat him, then so be it."

FOSTER: "Ange should have stayed even had Spurs lost the Europa Final"

On the home front, many from Australia's football community have expressed disappointment with Tottenham's decision.

Chief among them was Craig Foster. Foster, who played for the Socceroos 29 times and is now an analyst on Stan Sport would go to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his opinion about the sacking.

"Wrong decision," Foster said bluntly on X.

"I agree that outside of the Champions league, a trophy doesn’t necessarily guarantee tenure.

"The progression of the play, team and likelihood of reaching the aim of competing for the title next season and beyond, which guarantees Champions League competitiveness, is paramount.

"Which is why Ange should have stayed even had Spurs lost the Europa Final.

"Given the massive injury list, any team would have struggled.

"When at, or near full strength, the team was proven to be competitive, had invested in young players for the next few years, and with additional funds next season, could strengthen."