Tottenham’s Struggles Under Postecoglou Spark Debate Over Future

LONDON, England — Tottenham Hotspur‘s recent struggles under manager Ange Postecoglou have reignited debates about his future at the club. Since a record-breaking start to the 2023-24 Premier League season, Spurs have plummeted to 18th in the form table, securing just five points from their last 27 available. The team’s inconsistency has left fans and pundits questioning whether Postecoglou’s high-intensity style is sustainable in England’s top flight.

Postecoglou, who joined Tottenham in 2023, initially impressed with an attacking brand of football that saw Spurs win seven of their first nine league games. However, the team’s form has nosedived since, with injuries and defensive frailties exposing the limitations of his approach. Tottenham have conceded 21 goals at home this season, the fourth-worst record in the league, and have managed just three clean sheets in their last 30 home games.

“Inside the stadium, not many people have been calling for Ange to go,” said Mark Langdon, a Spurs season-ticket holder and Racing Post journalist, on the Football Weekly podcast. “The issues lie way above Postecoglou. Daniel Levy has been in charge for a quarter of a century, and there’s a direct link between wage bill expenditure and success in football. Tottenham have tried to do it on the cheap.”

Postecoglou’s critics point to his lack of a “Plan B” and his dogmatic adherence to a high-pressing, possession-based style. Despite having the fifth-highest goal difference in the league (+11), Spurs have struggled to grind out results, with 10 of their 11 league defeats this season coming by a single goal. The team’s inability to adapt to different game situations has been a recurring theme.

Injuries have also played a significant role in Tottenham’s decline. The absence of key players, including first-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and several defenders, has left the squad stretched thin. “Everyone has injuries, you just have to find a way,” Postecoglou said in a recent press conference. “But when you’re missing important players in positions where you have limited cover, it’s going to affect your results.”

Despite the challenges, some argue that Postecoglou deserves more time to implement his vision. Vince Rugari, a sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald, highlighted the Australian’s track record of overcoming adversity. “In every job he’s had, he’s faced exactly the same questions and criticisms as he is now,” Rugari said. “Every time, he’s proved that sort of narrative totally wrong.”

Postecoglou’s supporters point to his success in other leagues, including winning the Asian Cup with Australia and multiple titles in Japan and Scotland. However, the Premier League represents a significant step up in quality, and the 58-year-old is facing the best managers and players of his career.

As Tottenham prepare for a crucial run of fixtures, including a Carabao Cup semi-final and key league matches, the pressure is mounting on Postecoglou to turn things around. Whether he can adapt his style to the demands of English football remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Spurs’ struggles are about more than just the manager.