Tottenham's Ange Postecoglou, who lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy, ironically found himself at the center of controversy regarding his future.

Although he is the leader who brought the club its first victory in 17 years, opinions remain divided about his future both inside and outside the club.

The Boot Room reported on the 24th (Korean time) that the evaluation surrounding Postecoglou is internally divided, stating, "In fact, his dismissal was likely this summer, but the Europa League victory has put the brakes on that scenario."

Rumors of Postecoglou's dismissal have persisted throughout the season. Tottenham recorded the most losses and the lowest points since the Premier League's inception in 1992, leaving them with a disastrous league performance. With one game remaining, they sit in 17th place, just above the relegation zone. This situation has amplified skepticism about Postecoglou's leadership.

However, contrary to expectations, he lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy at the end of the season, giving the team its first victory since 2008. This win became a symbolic result that prompted reconsideration of his potential dismissal.

The issue lies in the lack of unity within the internal atmosphere. Tom Allnut of The Times recently appeared on the podcast The Tottenham Way, where he stated, "While there are 3 to 4 players who fully support the manager, there are also several players dissatisfied with his methods. Most players seem to be somewhere in between."

Within the team, there is a mix of trust and skepticism. This has created a burden as Tottenham decides whether to reaffirm their confidence in Postecoglou or to pivot towards a new leader.

Currently, Tottenham is said to have contacted Andoni Iraola, who leads Bournemouth, as a candidate for the next manager.

The Boot Room reported, "This could be the right timing for Tottenham to attempt a rebuild, and Iraola might be a better long-term choice."

Amidst these viewpoints, Postecoglou continues to express confidence in his plans. At a recent UEFA Europa League victory parade, he stood before fans and said, "The most interesting TV series is that Season 3 is more exciting than Season 2," hinting at greater success in his third year. This implicitly conveyed his desire to remain.

Postecoglou's contract with Tottenham still has 2 years remaining. As the three elements of performance, trophy, and internal atmosphere deliver different messages, Tottenham has reached a critical point for making an important decision.

[OSEN]