The Telegraph reported on the 23rd (Korean time) that "Tottenham plans to part ways with manager Ange Postecoglou regardless of their UEFA Europa League (UEL) results."
As the possibility of Postecoglou's dismissal increases, attention is also focused on the future of key players.
The Boot Room noted on the 24th that if Postecoglou leaves the team, James Maddison is expected to stay.
Maddison has been left out of the starting lineup several times since the middle of the season. In particular, he has frequently remained on the bench during matches where the attack has struggled, leading to rumors of discord with Postecoglou.
Kurt Offside revealed that "a strange atmosphere has been detected between the two," and during the Europa League match against AZ Alkmaar, Maddison was caught on camera expressing dissatisfaction with the manager's tactics while on the bench.
The friction between the manager and the squad is not limited to Maddison. Cristian Romero, Guglielmo Vicario, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Destiny Udogie are also reported to have strained relationships with the manager. The Boot Room reported that "Richarlison could also consider staying if Postecoglou leaves the team."
Maddison's decision to stay or leave will significantly influence Tottenham's future plans. Pitch Access reported that "Manchester City is looking to replace Kevin De Bruyne's absence with Maddison." Thus, the fate of Postecoglou is closely tied to the future of key players beyond just a managerial change.
Postecoglou, who has been leading Tottenham since 2023, is currently facing serious dismissal threats. The main reason is the poor performance in the Premier League. As the season nears its end, Tottenham has recorded 11 wins, 4 draws, and 18 losses through the 33rd round, placing them 16th in the league. This marks the most losses (18) since the 1996-97 season, and if they suffer two or more defeats in the remaining fixtures, they will break the club's record for most losses in a single season (19), set in the 1993-1994 and 2003-2004 seasons.
Despite this, the reason Postecoglou has not stepped down yet is due to the Europa League results. Tottenham has reached the semifinals of the tournament and is aiming for their first trophy in 17 years since the 2007-2008 League Cup. In the semifinals, they will face FK Bodo/Glimt of Norway.
Postecoglou is trying to redeem the poor performance in the Premier League through winning the Europa League. If they win, Tottenham will also obtain a spot in the Champions League.
However, local media outlooks are cold. BBC analyzed that "success in the Europa League may be one factor in evaluating the manager's future, but it will not be the only determining factor," adding that "poor league performance and deteriorating relations with fans are also important factors to consider." They further stated that "the conflict between fans and the manager is so serious that it is difficult to articulate in words."
Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano also revealed via social media that "Postecoglou is likely to leave the team after the season, regardless of the Europa League results."
This trend could provide an opportunity for Son Heung-min. The tactics of Postecoglou are said to demand high work rates and pressing, which do not suit Son's style. If a managerial change takes place, the chances of Son's resurgence are expected to increase.
However, it is reported that the club's leadership, centered around Chairman Daniel Levy, still retains some trust in Postecoglou. This has led to deep concerns within the club about whether to change the manager.
"Football London" reported that "Postecoglou has been subjected to intense criticism and pressure for a long time, and regardless of the Europa League results, the possibility of his dismissal is increasing." However, it added that "the concerns Levy has to handle are not limited to the dismissal of the manager. Determining the right person to replace him is also a complex issue."
It continued, "Mauricio Pochettino is the most likely candidate. He has expressed his desire to return to Tottenham several times in the past and mentioned that there are unfinished matters from his time with the team. However, as he is currently in charge of the U.S. national team ahead of the 2026 North American World Cup, acquiring him will not be easy."
The hesitance in replacing the manager also reflects the significant influence of fan opinion. "Football London" cited a recent survey indicating that when fans were asked, "Who is the most suitable next manager?" Postecoglou received 36% support, ranking first, while Pochettino followed with 27%.
Furthermore, it noted, "Other candidates lagged significantly compared to these two. Brentford's Thomas Frank received 13%, Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola 6%, Oliver Glasner 4%, and both Marco Silva and Kieran McKenna received 3%, showing that there are insufficient suitable replacement candidates if Postecoglou leaves."
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