If Tottenham defeats Manchester United in the Europa League final, Ange Postecoglou can end the team’s 17-year trophy drought, but even a triumph in Bilbao on Wednesday might not keep him from being fired.
A major turning point in Tottenham’s recent history would be defeating United to end the trophy curse and secure a spot in the Champions League the following season.
The north London team’s last European victory was the 1984 UEFA Cup, and they haven’t taken home a major trophy since defeating Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup final.
However, Postecoglou has overseen such a dismal Premier League season that, regardless of the outcome, the Tottenham manager’s position is in jeopardy as he travels to the San Mames stadium.
When it comes to managerial changes, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has not held back and has already been linked to Fulham’s Marco Silva, Brentford’s Thomas Frank, and Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner.
Postecoglou’s brazen claim in September that he “always wins things” in his second season has come to characterize the campaign as rumors that he may leave after the final grow.
The 59-year-old Australian can cite his second-year championships and cups with South Melbourne, Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F-Marinos, and Celtic.
However, such triumphs were a long cry from the high-pressure setting of one of the chronic underachievers in English football.Despite a strong start, Postecoglou has been unable to stop Tottenham from shooting themselves in the foot. In the final weeks of the previous season, Tottenham let a Champions League spot slip through their fingers, and Postecoglou has never recovered. His preference for ultra-attacking tactics initially garnered praise, but astute opposition managers soon began taking advantage of the weaknesses in his defense. Tottenham’s last top flight title came in 1961, and since their most recent FA Cup final victory in 1991, the league has been won by teams like Crystal Palace, Leicester, Portsmouth, and Wigan.
Postecoglou was lampooned for his naive approach by fans so often that he finally cracked during a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea in April.
He celebrated Pape Sarr’s apparent equaliser by sarcastically cupping his ear towards the supporters who had been jeering him, only for his season from hell to hit a new low as VAR intervened to disallow the goal.
That was one of 21 defeats in the Premier League this term, surpassing their previous worst top-flight loss tally of 19 in 1993-94 and 2003-04.
Languishing in 17th place with one game left, Tottenham are set to endure their worst finish since being relegated in 1976-77.
Amid the wreckage of Tottenham’s dismal domestic form, Postecoglou has steered them to the brink of European glory.
Even Postecoglou admitted the “general sentiment” was he would be sacked regardless of a Europa run that included navigating knock-out ties against AZ Alkmaar, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bodo/Glimt.
In defence of his troubled season, Postecoglou has continually pointed to his trouble patching together an injury-ravaged squad.
James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall will all miss the final in the latest series of blows.
“We’ve dealt with adversity all year, particularly around our injury situation, and player availability,” Postecoglou told UEFA.com.
This set of players has my utmost respect and admiration. And when it comes to the final, I sincerely hope they will be rewarded for that.
Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma echoed Postecoglou’s assessment when he said: “He’s like a dad or uncle for us.” He keeps us safe at all times. every game, whether we win or lose.
He has an excellent mindset. He knows what football is. He is aware that it fluctuates. He never places the blame on the players.
Another question is whether or not that belief in Postecoglou will be sufficient to keep him from being cut. Source=Punch news
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