Ange Postecoglou has openly questioned whether Thomas Frank was fully aware of the deep-seated issues at Tottenham Hotspur before taking the managerial role, following Frank's recent dismissal. The former Spurs boss, who was replaced by Frank last summer, did not mince words in his assessment, suggesting that any manager would struggle in the club's unstable environment.
Postecoglou's Candid Remarks on Tottenham's Turmoil
Speaking on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet, Postecoglou reflected on his own tenure and the challenges at Spurs. He stated, 'It's tough, and you know that he can't be the only issue at the club, but ultimately that's what we get judged on.' He went on to describe Tottenham as a 'curious club,' highlighting a major pivot at the end of last year that included his own departure and Daniel Levy's exit.
Instability and Managerial Challenges at Spurs
Postecoglou emphasized the instability at Tottenham, noting, 'They've had world-class managers there. They haven't had success. And for what reason? What was the reason for such a major pivot?' He questioned Frank's objectives and the club's goals, pointing out that Spurs claimed to compete on all fronts but have not done so for a long time. With Levy's departure after 20 years of influence, Postecoglou argued that such a pivot inevitably leads to instability.
He added, 'Did Thomas Frank know that he was walking into that? I don't know. It's a fair departure for me. Anyone who studies the game will know that it wasn't like there was progression.' Postecoglou explained that he built the squad to play a specific way over recent years, and Frank's attempt to implement his own style contributed to the club's curious nature.
Frank's Dismal Run and Tottenham's Current State
Thomas Frank was sacked on Wednesday after a poor run of form, with Tottenham sitting 16th in the Premier League on just 29 points from 26 games, recording seven wins, eight draws, and 11 losses. This follows a 2-1 defeat by Newcastle United on Tuesday, which sealed his fate.
Under Postecoglou last season, Tottenham finished 17th with their lowest-ever Premier League points tally of 38, though they later won the Europa League to secure Champions League qualification. In contrast, Frank had some success in Europe before his dismissal, guiding Spurs to the Champions League knockouts by finishing fourth in the group phase.
Postecoglou's Clarification on Tottenham's 'Curious' Nature
Postecoglou, who was briefly appointed manager of Nottingham Forest in September but sacked after 39 days due to an eight-game winless run, elaborated on what he meant by Tottenham being a 'curious club.' He addressed the high-profile managerial changes at Spurs in recent years, including Antonio Conte, Jose Mourinho, and Mauricio Pochettino.
He observed, 'If you look at the list of names, there isn't really a common theme there in what they are trying to do.' Postecoglou suggested that part of Tottenham's DNA is a preference for a certain style of play, which Pochettino was moving towards, but he also highlighted Harry Kane's significant influence during that period.
Postecoglou concluded, 'If I had had Harry in that first year, I'm convinced we would have finished in that Champions League spot. Even him leaving, you cannot plug that hole. It's impossible.' This underscores the ongoing challenges at Tottenham, where managerial instability and key player departures continue to hinder progress.
