With 11th place in the Premier League table and 7 defeats in the first 15 games of the season, Tottenham Hotspur are facing great pressure. In particular, the biggest responsibility belongs to captain Ange Postecoglou, making his seat very shaky. However, is firing the Australian coach at this time really the right solution?
Tottenham’s performance over the past season since Ange Postecoglou took charge has been mixed. Statistics don’t lie as the “Roosters” have lost 19 of their last 43 Premier League games. This is not the form of a team with ambitions to compete at the top.
This season, Spurs are in danger of suffering their worst defeat since the 2003-04 campaign when they finished 14th. Recent defeats, especially the home defeat to Chelsea, have led many to question whether Postecoglou is taking the team off course.
The way Son Heung-min and his teammates lost to Chelsea reminded fans of the problems that happened under Mourinho and Conte. They started strong but were quickly exploited and defeated by opponents. With three transfer windows and more than a season in charge, Postecoglou seemed to have had enough time to improve the situation but the current results are not convincing.
Although the pressure from the results is undeniable, the dismissal of Postecoglou at this time is more emotional than practical. The biggest difference between the 59-year-old coach and previous dynasties lies in the spirit in the dressing room.
Under Mourinho and Conte, players gradually lost faith in the coaching staff's strategy, leading to frustration and a drop in performance. In contrast, Postecoglou maintained the support of his players, which was demonstrated by the way they fought in big matches despite disappointing results.
The style of play that Postecoglou has developed, often referred to as “Ange-ball”, is highly attacking, relying on close-knit teams and intense pressing. When Spurs play well, such as against Man City and Aston Villa, they have shown that they can compete with any team. This proves that the potential of the current strategy is still there, Spurs just need more time and appropriate adjustments.
The biggest weakness of "Ange-ball" is its instability and vulnerability to disruption. This style requires physical, tactical and mental perfection from all players on the pitch. When one link has a problem, the whole system can collapse.
However, abandoning all the hard work that has been built after just one season would be a huge setback for Tottenham. Postecoglou needs time to overcome the current difficulties, especially in the context of the squad being affected by a tight schedule and injuries.
One of the biggest reasons for keeping Postecoglou is the lack of viable alternatives. There are currently no free agents who are attractive or suitable for Tottenham. The last time Spurs sacked Nuno Espirito Santo, they had Antonio Conte ready to replace him. But now there is no one of similar stature waiting to be called upon by owner Daniel Levy.
Firing Postecoglou now also sends the wrong message about the club’s long-term strategy. It shows that the north London club lacks patience and the ability to accept the difficulties of rebuilding. Abandoning the Postecoglou project not only ruins the chance to build a progressive team, but also leaves Tottenham directionless and stuck in a cycle of constant change without a clear strategy.
Daniel Levy has sacked 13 managers since taking charge at Tottenham but parting ways with Postecoglou now would be the biggest mistake of all. Spurs need to be patient and give the Australian more time to prove he is the right man to take the team further.
