Tottenham Hotspur’s struggles this season continued with a disappointing 1-0 defeat against AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Europa League Round of 16 clash, adding more pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou.
With Spurs currently sitting in 13th place in the Premier League and already out of both domestic cup competitions, concerns over Postecoglou’s tenure have grown.
Tottenham hierarchy not happy with Ange Postecoglou
According to TBR Football, Tottenham’s hierarchy has expressed deep concerns over the defeat, making it clear to the manager that the performance and result were unacceptable.
The match itself was a frustrating one for Spurs, with an unfortunate own goal from Lucas Bergvall in the first half being the decisive factor. While Guglielmo Vicario made several crucial saves to prevent AZ from extending their lead, Tottenham struggled to create any significant attacking chances. Their lack of cutting edge in the final third was reflected in their xG of just 0.44 compared to AZ’s 1.57.
Despite the poor run of results, reports indicate that Postecoglou has not been given an ultimatum to win the Europa League to keep his job. However, discussions about a potential managerial change have reportedly taken place, with names such as Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, Brentford’s Thomas Frank, and Fulham’s Marco Silva emerging as possible replacements.
Winning the Europa League remains Spurs’ only realistic route to securing Champions League football next season and ending their 17-year wait for silverware. Failing to do so could not only result in a managerial change but also jeopardize their ability to retain key players and attract top talent in the summer transfer window.
Before they can focus on the crucial second leg against AZ, Tottenham will need to shift their attention to the Premier League, where they face Bournemouth.
Postecoglou’s side must produce an improved performance in both fixtures if they hope to salvage their season and restore confidence among the board and supporters.