In a few hours, Tottenham will host bottom team Southampton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a squad that must know their manager is on his way out.
Ange Postecoglou’s damaged relationship with Tottenham supporters makes his departure as manager almost inevitable, according to Paul Merson.
Read: Don’t care if it will be the biggest and most expensive transfer of the summer! Kevin De Bruyne to be replaced by Florian Wirtz
From breath of fresh air to frustration
The Australian manager was seen as a breath of fresh air when he arrived at Tottenham in 2023, with an attacking philosophy the club lacked under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte. The excitement reached its peak already after 10 Premier League games into his first season, when Postecoglou led Spurs to 26 points and first place in the table.
But now the mood among the supporters is completely different. The latest outburst came when the 59-year-old held his hands to his ears after taunts from his own fans during the 1-0 loss to Chelsea, when Pape Sarr’s goal was nullified.
Fans’ opinion can be decisive
“When you lose the fans, there’s only one outcome,” Merson said live on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (April 5).
“It’s rare for someone to be fired while the fans are singing your name. When they start with “you don’t know what you’re doing”, the outcome is a given.
Merson added:
“But if they win the Europa League (which they have a chance of), and qualify for the Champions League with players back from injury, it will be difficult to sack him.
The reaction that caused trouble
During the Chelsea game, Postecoglou clearly showed frustration towards the away fans after the substitution of Lucas Bergvall – a gesture that confirms that the pressure is getting too great.
Read: Tonight with his eleventh goal of the season, Jørgen Strand Larsen saved his place in the Premier League
Now what?
Tottenham boss Daniel Levy – even more unpopular with fans – will have to make the decision. With reduced budgets and uncertainty surrounding this summer’s transfers, the club faces difficult choices.
A Europa League title and CL qualification could change the mood, but as of now, few supporters seem enthusiastic about keeping the former Celtic manager.
Key points:
- Postecoglou lost fans after controversial Chelsea reaction
- Europa League success could save the job
- Daniel Levy stands between him and exit
- Tottenham’s finances limit summer plans
Will this be the end for “Big Ange”? – His statements that he is about to stop loving football before the game against Southampton do not help.
Even if there are too few games left for Tottenham to actually be relegated (we think) a 16th place in the Premier League is not something that calls job security for the manager.
