The joy of winning the Europa League did not completely erase the uncertainty surrounding the future. Within the Tottenham Hotspur squad, there is still no confidence that "Ange Postecoglou will lead the team next season."
The British 'Daily Mail' reported on the 23rd (Korean time) that "Tottenham players do not expect Postecoglou to lead the team next season." Although there is one year left on the contract, it is said that Chairman Daniel Levy is already searching for potential successors. Among the candidates is Marco Silva (Fulham).
Postecoglou's Tottenham defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final held on the 22nd for the 2024-2025 season. Postecoglou led Tottenham to its first trophy in 17 years and the club's first European competition title in history. With this victory, Tottenham also secured a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup.
Tottenham is planning its first official trophy parade since winning the FA Cup in 1991. This parade will take place on the 24th local time on Tottenham High Road. Following that, the 2024-2025 season will conclude with the final Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion this coming weekend.
Despite the win, the poor league performance is changing the coach's fate. Tottenham recorded 21 losses in this season's Premier League, staying in the lower ranks, and voices questioning the coach's tactical philosophy and results have been heard throughout the season. Within the club, there are already discussions about the possibility of changing the coach.
Postecoglou has continued his career of 'winning a trophy in the second year' since his time at Celtic, and with this Europa League victory, he has extended that record once again. As a result, the trophy on the European stage has created an opportunity for him to be reassessed, and it has also increased the likelihood of offers from other clubs in the future.
In a press conference the day before the final, Postecoglou said regarding his future, "What I want is to finish the project I just started," while in a post-match interview, he left a lingering thought with the words, "Que sera sera."
Captain Son Heung-min, immediately after the final held in Bilbao, Spain, avoided direct mention of the coach's future, stating, "The coach lifted the trophy. No one has been able to do this," adding, "Tottenham, which had been trophyless for 17 years, has lifted a trophy today, and this is a result achieved by the coach." He emphasized, "It's not my decision to make, but the fact that we won does not change."
Most players expressed their support for Postecoglou, but did not make definitive statements about his future. The dominant reaction was that now is the time to celebrate, not to worry about the future.
If this season was his last, Postecoglou can leave the team with his head held high. He opened a trophy cabinet that had been firmly locked for 17 years and provided fans with an unforgettable night.
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