Ange Postecoglou saved his job after Spurs’ huge win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday — but one Premier League legend believes the Tottenham board could face a familiar dilemma.
Had Spurs lost in Germany, the Australian manager’s two-year stint at the helm of the North London club would have almost certainly come to an end.
Tottenham have endured a horror run in the Premier League, sitting 15th and only two points ahead of West Ham in 17th place.
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However, there’s optimism on the horizon with a semi final clash against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt looming, a match-up Spurs will go in to as heavy favourites.
Should they progress, an all-English Europa League final could follow, with Manchester United facing Spanish outfit Athletic Club on the other side of the draw.
But even if Spurs break a 17-year trophy drought, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes Tottenham powerbrokers will have to make a similar decision to Manchester United’ bosses, who ultimately sacked Erik ten Hag.
The Dutch manager retained his job after winning the FA Cup, with the club’s new owners putting their faith in him during a time of instability.
Fast forward nine games into the current Premier League season and he was sacked.
“After saving Tottenham Hotspur’s season with a brilliant win in Germany, he should embrace it as the turning point of the season and, possibly, an entire reign,” Carragher wrote in a column for The Telegraph.
“Had he lost, Postecoglou would have done well to make it to the next Premier League game against Nottingham Forest on Monday night. Now he can see a path to keeping his job.
“Now Postecoglou has to make it count. It may yet become a ‘Champions League or bust’ shootout with Ruben Amorim if it is an all English Europa League final, but there is no doubt which manager’s position is most perilous.
“Amorim is sure to get a chance to rebuild United over the summer whatever happens. Postecoglou is still not safe.
“That will surely change if Spurs go on to win their first major trophy for 17 years. In that situation, Daniel Levy and his board will have the same massive dilemma as Manchester United when Erik ten Hag won the FA Cup a year ago.
“After Ten Hag’s United defeated Manchester City at Wembley, the United board made an emotional rather than logical decision. They were rightly criticised. All the evidence pointed to the downturn over the previous eight months continuing.”
Carragher went on to explain that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy may have to “choose between his head and heart” when making the final call on Postecoglou’s reign.
Instead of opting to stick with the man who potentially brought a title to North London, he will have to decide if Spurs will improve under their current manager.
Speaking following Spurs’ Europa League victory, Postecoglou responded to the criticisms of his tenure.
“I don’t care, it doesn’t bother me, it doesn’t affect what I do. For me, it’s always about the dressing room. Do the players believe? Do the staff believe? That’s much is more important than what others may make of me,” he said.
“So, unfortunately for a lot of you, you’re going to have to put up with me for a little bit longer, so let’s see how that goes.”
Postecoglou also highlighted his side’s injury issues, which have seen their squad ravaged at different stages throughout the season.
Carragher was of the belief that sentiment is being directed at the Tottenham hierarchy.
“That is sure to be his message between now and the end of this season, most likely directed towards those who will decide his fate,” he wrote.
“Postecoglou’s claim that he always wins a trophy in his second season is yet to be proven incorrect, too.”