With 11th place in the Premier League rankings and 7 defeats in the first 15 matches of the season, Tottenham Hotspur is facing great pressure. In particular, the biggest responsibility belongs to captain Ange Postecoglou, making his seat become extremely shaky. However, is firing the Australian coach at this time really the right solution?
Tottenham's performance in the past season since Ange Postecoglou took charge has had many ups and downs. 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 in the top group.
This season, Spurs are on the brink of a record number of defeats since the 2003-2004 campaign when they finished 14th. Recent failures, 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 occurred under Mourinho and Conte. They had a strong start but were quickly exploited and defeated by their opponents. With three transfer windows and more than a season in charge, Postecoglou seems to have had enough time to improve the situation but the current results are not convincing.
Although the pressure from performance is undeniable, the sacking of Postecoglou at this time is more emotional than practical. The biggest difference between the 59-year-old and his previous dynasties lies in the dressing room spirit.
Under Mourinho and Conte, the players gradually lost faith in the coaching staff's strategy, leading to frustration and poor performance. In contrast, Postecoglou has maintained the support of his players, which is reflected in the way they fight in big matches despite unsatisfactory results.
The style of play that Postecoglou builds, often called "Ange-ball", is highly offensive, based on the connection between the lines and strong pressure. In times when the "Roosters" play well, such as when facing Man City or Aston Villa, they show that they can compete with any team. This proves that the potential of the current strategy is still there, Spurs only need more time and reasonable adjustments.
The biggest weakness of "Ange-ball" is its instability and vulnerability when there is turmoil. This style requires physical, tactical and mental perfection from all the players on the pitch. When one link has problems, the whole system can collapse However, giving up all the effort built after just one season will be a big step back for Tottenham. Postecoglou needs time to overcome the current difficulties, especially in the context of the squad affected by a tight schedule and injuries.
One of the biggest reasons for keeping Postecoglou is the lack of viable alternatives. Currently, there is no free agent who is attractive or suitable for Tottenham. The last time Spurs sacked Nuno Espirito Santo, they had Antonio Conte ready to replace him. However, currently, no one of similar stature is waiting for an invitation from owner Daniel Levy.
Sacking Postecoglou now also sends the wrong message about the team's long-term strategy. It shows that the North London team lacks patience and the ability to accept difficulties in the process of rebuilding. The abandonment of the Postecoglou project not only loses the opportunity to build the team in a progressive direction, but also causes Tottenham to lose direction and fall into 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. The "Roosters" need to be patient and give the Australian strategist more opportunities to prove that he is the right person to take the team further.
