Ange Postecoglou’s job as Tottenham manager is safe for now – but his fate could depend on the upcoming Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool.
Postecoglou’s position has been questioned after Nottingham Forest claimed a 1-0 win to condemn Spurs to a fourth defeat from the last five Premier League matches. Spurs are 12th in the table, 11 points adrift of the top four, despite having the best attack in the division.
Injuries have taken their toll of late, but Postecoglou’s insistence on playing an open style with a depleted squad has drawn heavy criticism. Tottenham were thrashed 6-3 by Liverpool before Christmas, and although the Spurs boss retains the support of chairman Daniel Levy, a similar defeat in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on January 8 could see that change.
The Daily Mail reports that Postecoglou is safe for now, although the desire of the club to end their trophyless spell weighs heavily. Spurs haven’t lifted a trophy since winning the League Cup in 2008 and the same competition holds huge significance for Postecoglou, who is the bookies’ favourite to be the next Premier League manager sacked.
The club hierarchy dream of consistency and the Australian has so far failed to deliver, with their reputation as the great entertainers not enough to satisfy. The man himself is not worried about his position as he looks forward to Sunday’s league game against Wolves, who climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win over Manchester United on Boxing Day.
“I get where people kind of look at my situation and think: ‘Jeez, he needs to do something or else he is in trouble’ but I don’t think that way. It’s not how I am wired,” Postecoglou said after the 1-0 defeat by Forest.
“I’m not concerned about that aspect of this role. Like I said, what excites me about this role and what I love about doing what I do is the possibilities you can create something special and that’s what I am going to try and do.
“I will keep doing what I am doing. It doesn’t add any pressure or I don’t feel any extra anxiety about anything. I firmly believe we will get through this and come out stronger and create the team we want to be."
Postecoglou has a history of winning trophies and will therefore be confident of delivering a first piece of silverware in 17 years for Spurs. He won league titles with South Melbourne and Brisbane Roar and the Japanese championship with Yokohama F Marinos and the Scottish title in both seasons with Celtic.