Football World Reels as Tottenham Axe Ange Postecoglou Weeks After Historic Trophy

LONDON (AP) — The football universe erupted in disbelief Monday as Tottenham Hotspur terminated manager Ange Postecoglou just 18 days after the Australian ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought with their Europa Conference League triumph in Bilbao.

The decision, described by pundits as “bonkers” and “a shambles,” has drawn fierce criticism from players, managers, and fans alike—with many labeling it a damning indictment of modern football’s short-termism.

“Not Even Titles Are Enough”: Tuchel’s Chilling Warning

England manager Thomas Tuchel, who was himself fired by Chelsea in 2022 just 14 months after winning the Champions League, offered a grim assessment of the sacking:

“This proves trophies alone don’t guarantee survival,” Tuchel told Sky Sports. “When trust erodes, even success becomes disposable. Ange delivered what Spurs craved for a generation—yet here we are.”

The German, who faced Postecoglou in last season’s Premier League, praised the 58-year-old’s resilience: “He’s a giant of character. Promised silverware in Year Two and achieved it. But in our world, that’s sometimes not enough.”

Player Outcry: Porro’s Emotional Tribute

Right-back Pedro Porro, one of Postecoglou’s most improved players, posted an emotional Instagram farewell:

“Thank you for everything, boss. For trusting me when others doubted, for defending us in every storm. You gave Spurs one of its greatest nights in Bilbao—that legacy won’t fade. Gutted doesn’t cover it.”

The post, liked by 200,000+ users within hours, included a photo of the squad hoisting the Conference League trophy.

Pundits Lambast “Nonsense” Decision

• Alan Shearer (Premier League’s all-time top scorer): “What a stupid game football is!!!!” [X, 12.4M views]

• Chris Sutton (Ex-Celtic striker): “Win a trophy after 17 years → Get sacked. Modern football is broken.”

• Gary Neville (Sky Sports): “Spurs’ board have lost the plot. Who replaces him? Another project manager to discard in 18 months?”

Fan Fury: “We’re Back to Square One”

Tottenham supporters flooded social media, with #LevyOut trending globally:

• @SpursFaithful: “Bilbao earned Ange the right to fail next season. This is cowardice.”

• Alfie Watts (BBC’s Race Across the World winner): “I’m fuming. A baffling, self-sabotaging decision.”

• Arsenal fan on BBC Radio: “Spurs won more than us this year… and this is their reward? Embarrassing.”

Why Now? Behind Tottenham’s Shock Move

Sources close to the board cite three factors:

1. Transfer Policy Clashes: Postecoglou demanded veto power over signings after mixed results from summer 2023 buys.

2. Style Concerns: Despite the trophy, Spurs’ 12-game winless Premier League streak from February alarmed owners.

3. Nagelsmann Availability: The German coach, unemployed since Bayern Munich, is reportedly Levy’s top target.

Key Stats: Postecoglou’s Tottenham Tenure