A Wild Two Years: Postecoglou’s Turbulent Tottenham Tenure

Tottenham Hotspur have officially parted ways with Ange Postecoglou, exactly two years after his initial appointment, concluding one of the most eventful spells in recent Premier League history.

From a sensational tactical revolution and an early title challenge in the 2023/24 season to a Europa League triumph and a record-low Premier League finish in 2024/25, Postecoglou’s reign was nothing short of dramatic. The Australian manager’s time at Spurs was filled with exhilarating highs and sobering lows, making for an unforgettable chapter in the club’s modern era.

This is the full story of Postecoglou’s Premier League journey.

Unbeaten Run, Title Hopes, and a Tactical Revolution

Spurs kicked off the 2023/24 campaign in impressive fashion, going unbeaten in their first 10 league fixtures—recording eight wins and two draws. Their dynamic performances sparked genuine title aspirations as the footballing world was introduced to ‘Ange-ball’.

The tactical innovation saw full-backs taking up positions akin to central midfielders, a remarkably high defensive line, and relentlessly aggressive attacking play. This approach resonated with supporters and neutrals alike.

New signings Micky van de Ven and James Maddison hit the ground running, contributing to a mood not felt at the club since the peak of Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure. The optimism was tangible.

Postecoglou made Premier League history by becoming the first manager to claim the Manager of the Month award in each of his first three months in charge. At that point, everything seemed to be falling perfectly into place.

Chelsea Defeat, a Sudden Slide, and Top-Four Misfortune

However, the tone began to shift dramatically with the visit of Chelsea in November 2023, marking a pivotal moment for Postecoglou’s Spurs.

Reduced to nine men following red cards for Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie by the 55th minute, Spurs chose not to retreat. Postecoglou positioned seven players on the halfway line, refusing to compromise his philosophy. The resulting spectacle at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was unlike anything seen before.

“It’s who we are and who we will be for as long as I am here,” Postecoglou declared after the match. “If we go down to five men, we will [still] have a go.”

Chelsea ran out 4-1 winners, and the honeymoon period came to an abrupt end.

Following that match, Postecoglou managed just 23 wins from his next 66 Premier League fixtures, collecting only 78 points. This statistic was explicitly referenced in the club’s statement announcing his departure.

Among the 17 clubs that featured in the Premier League last season and will compete again next term, Spurs’ 66-match points tally was the second-lowest.

Despite this, Tottenham were unfortunate not to secure Champions League football at the end of the 2023/24 season. They finished fifth with 66 points—identical to Newcastle United’s 2024/25 total, a tally that secured the Magpies a place in Europe’s top competition.

Bright Start to 2024/25 Undone by Injury Crisis

September 2024 brought renewed hope. After a narrow 1-0 loss to Arsenal, Postecoglou reaffirmed his ambitions with a bold statement.

Asked to clarify a previous pre-season comment, he responded, “I’ll correct myself. I don’t usually win things. I always win things in my second year.”

Spurs began the 2024/25 season positively. By 23 November, after a stunning 4-0 victory over Manchester City, they had amassed 19 points from 12 matches and trailed third place by only three points.

Then, disaster struck in the form of an unprecedented injury crisis.

By the season’s end, only Brighton & Hove Albion had more injuries and more total days lost to those injuries. No other Premier League side was without as many first-choice players as Spurs.

Reflecting on the difficulties, Postecoglou famously said, “Every time I’ve seen the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s usually been an oncoming train.”

Collapse in Form, Tactical Adjustment, and Fan Friction

As Spurs’ season unravelled, scrutiny intensified on Postecoglou’s tactics. The defining philosophy of Ange-ball came under fierce criticism.

Following a chaotic 4-3 win over Manchester United in the EFL Cup in December, Postecoglou addressed the pundits.

“Are you not entertained?” he asked. “I know the studio is probably having a meltdown over my lack of tactics. I really liked how we played tonight.”

Spurs had surged to a 3-0 lead only to allow United back into the game. The match’s conclusion prompted Jamie Carragher to question Postecoglou’s tactical stubbornness.

Eventually, as results continued to decline, Postecoglou relented. Spurs adopted a more pragmatic, defensive approach, particularly in European fixtures.

However, this tactical pivot yielded little benefit in the league. As Tottenham slid further down the table, discontent grew among the fanbase.

The frustration came to a head in April during a match at Stamford Bridge. A double substitution triggered boos from the away end. When Pape Sarr, one of the substitutes, scored soon after, Postecoglou cupped his ear in the direction of the Spurs supporters.

He later explained the gesture: “It’s incredible how things get interpreted. We’d just scored. I just wanted to hear them cheer.”

Historic Low Finish but European Glory

As the domestic campaign continued to deteriorate, Spurs turned their attention entirely to the UEFA Europa League—where they truly came alive.

Impressive away victories over Eintracht Frankfurt and Bodo/Glimt set the stage for a thrilling European run. Though Spurs ended the league campaign in 17th place—their lowest-ever Premier League finish—the season concluded on a high.

Tottenham lifted the Europa League trophy in Bilbao, capping Postecoglou’s time with the kind of success he had promised.

“The only thing that was going to change this football club was us winning something,” he said after the final. “That was my ambition. I wanted to state it.”

The euphoric celebrations included an open-top bus parade and jubilant scenes that will live long in the memories of the club’s supporters.

At the parade, Postecoglou addressed the crowd with a memorable sign-off: “I’ll leave you with this. All the best television series – season three is better than season two.”

However, in a subsequent press conference, he offered a chilling postscript: “I should have thought about it a bit more because sometimes they kill off the main character.”