Nine

The departure of Ange Postecoglou may not have come as a surprise to most after weeks of speculation indicated he was on borrowed time, but for Tottenham defender Micky van de Van, it was a reality he "never expected".

Just 16 days after he led Spurs to a drought-breaking Europa League trophy, then club chairman Daniel Levy decided to pull the pin and dismiss Postecoglou with immediate effect.

The timing of the decision had a blindsiding effect, given the recent success that Postecoglou had enjoyed, although the Australian has since admitted he knew his time as manger was up.

LIVE UPDATES: The Ashes third Test day one

A 17th place finish in the Premier League could not be overlooked at the time and prompted calls for his dismissal in the weeks leading up to the Europa League final. Yet Postecoglou did not back down, staying true to his beliefs and game plans to ensure his bold claim of always winning things in his second year would come true.

Van de Ven was one of the many players who got his start in the Premier League under Postecoglou. The star defender went from a $6m player in the Dutch League to one worth over $87m when he arrived at Spurs.

The 24-year-old has continued to rise under new manager Thomas Frank, but he conceded he still can not believe that Postecoglou was allowed to leave the club.

"He was a really good manager. I still really like him," Van de Ven said of Postecoglou on The Overlap podcast.

"I don't know how everything went backstage. I didn't expect it. Of course, you see a lot of rumours out there. There was not a a day that I didn't scroll on my phone and see nothing about our gaffer. There was always something.

"It was strange how everything went after - he's the manager that won silverware for Tottenham.

"Afterwards, when he got sacked, I sent a message to my dad and my friends and said, 'I never expected this'.

"I just messaged Ange and told him 'all the best in the future'. I didn't say it was a strange decision by the club, I just said I never expected this to happen. I thanked him for his two years that we had with him."

Football's new home, Stan Sport, is the only place to watch the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, WSL, European World Cup qualifiers, J.League, NSWL and K League

One of the biggest criticisms Postecoglou faced throughout the final months at Spurs was based on the perception that he was refusing to alter his strategy when the team was struggling.

That became more pointed when the club won just 11 of their 38 Premier League games, however, the manager often set the team up differently in their European campaign.

Van de Ven said he and teammate Cristian Romero had flagged concerns with Postecoglou about there being no 'Plan B' option in the latter stages of the Premier League season.

"I liked the offensive play [under Postecoglou] but I like what we have now with Thomas Frank," he said, when asked to compare the two managers styles.

"We are more secure at the back (now). I don't like getting exposed every game on the counter-attack.

"At the beginning [under Postecoglou], no team was used to playing against our system. We were playing unbelievable football. But managers analyse everything and people knew what we were doing.

"Sometimes we didn't really have a Plan B and we were getting exposed. We didn't have solutions to get out. At one point [me and Romero] walked up to the gaffer and said we need to change some things and play more defensive to make sure we win those games.

He was like 'I agree with you, but I expect you two guys to sort this on the pitch, make sure everybody knows'."

Those defensive changes became clear in the Europa League final, but it was one of the few times that style of play come into effect under Postecoglou.

Van de Ven conceded that was due to the Australian's desire to make sure they won.

"Before the final, everybody just knew we had to win the trophy, it didn't matter how we did it," van de Ven said.

"Today we just need to make sure we are going to stand with that silverware at the end of the whistle from the referee.

"At half time, Ange said that we just need to keep pressing, but when it doesn't work we need to drop back. Just make sure that we lock the back door and make sure they don't come through.

"He was never really (one to say) let's just sit back and make sure we win the game. But when we were 1-nil up, he was like ' we are f---ing going to win this game'.

"We suffered that season, a lot," he continued.

"From the media and the fans ... there are so many memes about Spurs, it is unbelievable. But when I joined Tottenham I knew that (criticism) was going to come.

"My best friend is a Liverpool fan and he was straight on me, 'you're going to join Tottenham and never win a trophy'. He was at the final and was happy that we won."

Sean Dyche is set to replace Ange Postecoglou as Nottingham Forest manager with multiple media outlets reporting that the 54-year-old Englishman had verbally agreed terms on a contract running until 2027.

Australian coach Postecoglou was sacked after Forest's 3-0 loss to Chelsea at the weekend, ending a miserable, and ruthlessly short, run of eight winless games in charge.

Dyche's appointment is yet to be officially announced by the club.

Football's new home, Stan Sport, is the only place to watch the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, WSL, European World Cup qualifiers, J.League, NSWL and K League

It is being viewed as a safe, if not sexy, appointment.

Dyche is a former Forest player and an experienced Premier League manager who spent a decade with Burnley before most recently leading Everton between 2023-25.

Postecoglou, meanwhile, will lick his wounds before going again.

"Wrong place. Wrong time," Premier League Hall of Famer Martin Tyler told Stan Sport.

"Maybe such a brief encounter will turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Ange is made of stern stuff - I have no doubt that he will come again."

Stan Sport expert Mark Pougatch said it was highly unlikely Postecoglou would get another Premier League gig in his career.

"He was on a hiding to nothing from the beginning, replacing a very popular manager in Nuno who was Forest's most successful for decades," Pougatch said.

"As soon as Ange made a slow start the Forest fans were making that point out loud and very forcibly."

British football pundit Andy Brassell told Stan Sport that Postecoglou "never stood a chance" in Nottingham.

"Parachuted into an already-started season and a squad for a coach with principles diametrically opposed to his," Brassell said.

"It wasn't a success but most will understand what a no-win situation it was, and such a short spell shouldn't significantly damage his reputation."

Fellow analyst Katie Shanahan told Stan Sport that the 60-year-old's axing was "very harsh."

"No time to get across your philosophy or even get to know the players! These Nottingham Forest players were used to Nuno's counter-attacking style that took them into Europe for the first time in 30 years," Shanahan said.

"Ange's attacking style is the complete opposite and needed time.

"Football is a brutal, results-based business with Postecoglou failing to win any of his eight matches in charge. So where does he go from here?"

Speaking on The Weekend Wrap on Stan Sport, Liverpool legend Michael Owen said Dyche would be a solid choice for Forest.

"Absolutely. And when you look a little bit further back from that, Steve Stone, Ian Woan, players that are always on his staff, big heroes at Nottingham from back in the day," Owen said.

"So there's a lot there that links Sean Dyche to Nottingham and I'm sure Sean Dyche would jump at that opportunity.

"With those links of backroom staff with him, with him living in the area, with the team struggling and probably needing somebody just to get hold of it and to make sure they're safe, then that looks like a sensible appointment to me."

Tottenham Hotspur moved into second place on the Premier League ladder with a 2-1 away win against Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday.

Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus scored for Spurs either side of halftime while Noah Okafor got on the scoresheet for Leeds.

Kudus also contributed the assist for Tel's goal to consign the home side to a first league defeat at Elland Road in over a year.

Football's new home, Stan Sport, is the only place to watch the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, WSL, European World Cup qualifiers, J.League, NSWL and K League

Tel led the line for Spurs and he gave them the lead in the 23rd minute with a deflected strike before Okafor quickly equalised when Guglielmo Vicario parried a shot into his path for a simple tap-in.

Okafor's goal looked confusing at first with two balls appearing in the box.

The match ball was the one that ended up in the back of the net while an inflatable dribbled towards goal after the strike.

GRAND FINAL TIPS: Joey reveals huge Broncos fear as experts left divided

Vicario viscously hit the inflatable ball away and was "fuming with the referee" according to former Leeds and Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson on Stan's coverage.

However, any objection wasn't going to change the referee's mind.

As the rain came pelting down in the second half, Kudus pounced on a defensive error to surge towards goal and another deflected shot beat Leeds keeper Karl Darlow to give Spurs a 2-1 lead and the Ghanaian his first goal for the club.

Leeds's unbeaten home run ended at 23 league games as Spurs moved provisionally up to second in the table on 14 points, a point behind Liverpool who visit Chelsea later on.

Leeds are 12th with eight points.

Kudus has been a huge hit after signing from West Ham.

"The main man," former Spurs star Jermain Defoe said on Stan Sport's coverage.

"Every time his teammates got it, he was the one that you looked to, to try and create something.

"Deserved a goal, you know, he works hard for the team, he's done his work back, but every time he lands on it, it just feels like something's gonna happen.

"So strong, technically he's so good and took his goal really well.

"He's a unique footballer, he's strong, he never loses the ball, always retains the ball.

"You can trust him when he lands on it and does his work back, which is so important, especially away from home.

"But then in the final third, when he gets it, you always fancy him to create or score a goal."

Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou has no time to think about his job security, saying on Friday he knew months before that he would lose his job at Tottenham Hotspur but still kept his eyes on the prize as they won the Europa League.

Forest remain winless in any competition after Postecoglou replaced Nuno Espirito Santo as head coach a month ago, with the team losing four of their six games since he took charge.

Fan frustration came to a head on Thursday when Forest suffered a 3-2 Europa League home loss to Midtjylland, prompting the home supporters to chant, "You're getting sacked in the morning," which Postecoglou said he was not surprised by.

"It's a valid assumption in modern football that there is always a manager that is under pressure. That's just part and parcel of what we do, but I don't think that way," the Australian told reporters.

"Put it this way: I knew I was getting sacked at Tottenham about three or four months before I did, but that didn't stop me from winning something. It doesn't enter my head," he added following his dismissal at the end of last season.

"My responsibility lies in making sure this football club progresses and gets to a position where it can challenge for things.

Football's new home, Stan Sport, is the only place to watch the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, WSL, European World Cup qualifiers, J.League, NSWL and K League

"If I start putting timelines to that or worry about what is going to happen next week then I am not performing the role I have been given. I just don't think it is helpful to anyone."

While Postecoglou's explanation may seem valid from a broader view, inside the pressure cooker that is the Premier League anything is possible.

Many outlets in the UK are reporting the Australian could be on borrowed time.

"Alex McLeish lasted seven matches as Nottingham Forest manager. Ange Postecoglou will not break that record, but make no mistake: this is situation critical," the iPaper's Daniel Storey wrote, saying the Aussie would be "lucky to get a second month."

"Postecoglou promises to win in his second season. He should be more concerned about his second month in Nottingham.

"This appointment had to go well quickly; everybody knew that following Nuno was a hospital pass. There should be some sympathy with Postecoglou that he is attempting all this weeks into a new season. Playing twice a week gives you little time on the training ground and early injuries haven't helped.

"But there are two caveats to mention. Firstly, we are already seeing the hallmarks of the Tottenham decline: poor set-piece defending, central defenders breaking down after coming back from injury, a team that plays on the edge and yet the benefits of doing so never quite become apparent.

"But also, and this is crucial: Forest supporters watched Spurs last season. They are not fools and they expressed doubts about whether this could work. To be told by their manager after the game that it was "desire and determination" that caused issues rather than any organisational flaw is such a stretch that it makes you wince.

"The anger on Thursday was partly about the individual on the touchline, but also at an avoidable risk that now threatens Forest's Premier League future (and anyone who thinks this team is too good to go down is surely wrong)."

The Guardian's Will Unwin wrote: "Everyone at Forest expected a period of transition but to be winless in six matches and losing at home to Sunderland and Midtjylland were not part of the thoughts when he arrived last month.

"The Australian was always going to change the style but he has his way of playing, which is very different to his predecessor, so there is an acceptance that these things take time. Patience, however, is not a trait often seen at Forest."

Postecoglou said he needed time to change things but also underlined the fact that a lack of focus in decisive moments often left them playing catch-up after the damage was done.

"We are having to chase games a fair bit and while we are creating opportunities we are not being as ruthless as we can be to see out games. It's a combination of things that we need to fix," he said.

"It seems to be the mindset of the players that first we need to get punished (before we get going). We are letting ourselves down in key areas in football that change football matches.

"You have got to be honest with your feedback. There is no point in masking over the opportunities we have let slip in the last few games."

His side visit Newcastle United on Monday (AEDT) and Postecoglou, the first permanent Forest manager in 100 years to fail to win any of his opening six matches, said he expected a tough game as he seeks his first victory.

"If we can go there and get a result then it would certainly lift everybody and get the belief we can turn our current situation around," he said.

"It's a cracking atmosphere, an exciting fixture too, so I am looking forward to it."

Ange Postecoglou's parting gift to Tottenham Hotspur will start to be unwrapped on Wednesday (5am kickoff AEST) as the club returns to the Champions League stage against Villarreal.

Postecoglou's Europa League triumph in May ended Spurs' 17 year trophy drought - more than enough reason in itself to throw an open top bus parade through London.

The 1-0 victory over Manchester United also earned Tottenham $10 million in prize money, as well as a fixed payment of $33m for reaching the Champions League league phase.

Football's new home, Stan Sport, is the only place to watch the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, WSL, European World Cup qualifiers, J.League, NSWL and K League

Teams will earn $3.7m for each win in the league phase and $1.23 for each draw.

Postecoglou, meanwhile, will try to go back-to-back in the Europa League, now with Nottingham Forest after getting the sack from Spurs in June.

"I think Ange has done something special. He'll forever be a legend in Tottenham," Frank said after replacing him in north London.

"It's important to understand we all stand on the shoulders of others. I'm going in on the foundation Ange built, and his coaching staff, and I'm very humble about that. I'll do my very best to continue the great work he put in.

"The feeling, the excitement, the joy and the happiness in the fans' faces, the pictures were 'wow' (after winning the Europa League). Hopefully, we can create more of those moments. That will be the ultimate dream: to do that and build on that."

It was always a matter of when, not if, Frank landed one of Europe's top jobs, according to Pep Guardiola, and his upward trajectory continues with his Champions League debut.

The Dane made his name turning humble London club Brentford into an established Premier League outfit.

Frank, 51, has built a reputation as a forensic tactical mastermind, and has hit the ground running at Spurs, who have won three of their opening four Premier League games including a 2-0 win at Guardiola's Manchester City.

Frank has some prior experience of European club football, having taken Brondby into the Europa League qualifiers, but the home clash against Villarreal represents a sizeable step up for the man who spent seven years at Brentford.

"Obviously it is a big thing. I am hugely looking forward to it. I am sure it will be special when we hear that Champions League anthem playing," Frank told reporters.

"It's a new experience tomorrow in many ways. We played in the Championship (second tier) with Brentford at Griffin Park in a small stadium.

"Tomorrow we will be in one of the best stadiums in the world playing in the Champions League."

VILLARREAL PUNCHING ABOVE THEIR WEIGHT

Far from being one of Spain's big clubs, Villarreal are a club made in Frank's image in many ways, maximising a small budget to punch above their weight with astute business in the transfer market.

Frank declared Tottenham are in the tournament to win the trophy, but is mindful of the opening task.

"We want to try and win it. But the most important thing is to take one game at a time. That begins with Villarreal, a very good team. Huge respect for (manager) Marcelino. His team is well structured, well organised and they like to dominate as much as they can on the ball."

Spurs have never won the Champions League and lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the 2019 final.

While Frank is a relative novice in European competition, Cristian Romero, made skipper by the Dane, has a wealth of experience in the Champions League and is a World Cup winner with Argentina.

His future at the club looked uncertain last season but he is thriving under Frank.

"There were one or two things in the past, but now I see a club with great organisation, with clear ideas, with a manager who is putting things right," Romero said.

"I'm really happy since Thomas arrived. He took his decision to lengthen my contract, extend my contract. I like the managers that arrived. I like the way that we're working, the way that we train," he said.

"Everyone is taking the right decisions here at the club, at all levels, to make sure that we're going in the right direction to achieve success."

Tottenham will be without striker Dominic Solanke against Villarreal because of an ankle injury.

"I don't expect it to be too long but he won't be available for this game," Frank said.

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants to use the lessons learned from last year's semi-final exit to change the club's history in the Champions League.

Arteta's side lost to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain, ending their hopes of winning Europe's biggest prize for the first time.

"You take a lot of learnings from it," Arteta told reporters ahead of their away game at Athletic Club in Spain on Wednesday (2.45am kickoff AEST).

"It's painful also because of the expectation that we created and the real conviction that we had within the club, the team, that we could go all the way. We showed a very high level of consistency and quality throughout the competition and learned from it and tried to be better."

Arsenal's best Champions League finish was runners-up to Barcelona in 2006.

"That tells you with our long history how difficult it is because we haven't won it yet. And that's the opportunity. That's how I see it, " Arteta said.

"The big clubs, I mean, they try seven, eight, nine times, they win two. So in this competition, it's going to be one, and you fail much more than you succeed.

"That's the history of our club. And that's what we want to change."

Martin Odegaard did not make the trip to Bilbao after the midfielder went off early with a shoulder injury in Saturday's 3-0 win over Forest, joining defender Ben White, winger Bukayo Saka and forwards Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz on the sidelines.

With a much deeper squad available this season, however, after signing the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, Arteta is confident.

"Excited to start again from scratch in a beautiful place in a stadium that is going to generate something special," Arteta said.

"The margins in this competition are super small and you have to be at your very best from day one to give yourself the best possible chance."

Arsenal are listed as the fourth favourite with the bookmakers to claim the title behind Barcelona, Liverpool and PSG.

"They are one of the favourites to win the Champions League thanks to their technical and tactical ability, and the winning spirit that Arteta has instilled in them," Athletic manager Ernesto Valverde said.

"We have to be very careful and take advantage of opportunities. Arsenal won't be forgiving."

The final league phase match day is January 28 (AEST).

The top eight teams in the final standings advance to the round of 16 in March.

Joining them will be winners of eight knockout playoffs, featuring teams ranked ninth to 24th, scheduled in February.

The bottom 12 teams are eliminated.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said sacking Ange Postecoglou was "emotionally difficult" and a "collective decision", telling the club's media team it wasn't his call alone to axe the Australian manager.

It's been nearly two weeks since the former Socceroos manager was ousted at Spurs, with the London-based club wasting little time in naming former Brentford coach Thomas Frank as his replacement.

Levy spoke to the media for the first time since Postecglou was dumped from the role just 16 days after winning the Europa League, declaring European glory wasn't enough for the Australian to keep his job.

LIVE UPDATES: State of Origin Game II

Levy told Spurs media the board came to a "unanimous decision" to sack the 59-year-old after finishing 17th in the English Premier League.

"You saw the outpouring of emotion with the parade. It was just incredible. We've won a European trophy," Levy said.

"But it's not enough. It's what we haven't done that is more important. We need to win the league.

"We want to win the Premier League. We want to win the Champions League. We want to win."

Levy admitted Postecoglou's axing divided supporters, but noted it was the club's worst finish since they were relegated in the 1976-77 campaign.

"I'm very grateful to Ange. I don't regret appointing Ange. In his first season we finished fifth and in our second season we were over the moon to win the trophy," he said.

"But we need to compete in all competitions and we felt that we needed a change. I've got an excellent relationship with him. I've told him he's always going to be part of our history.

"Himself and his family are always welcome back. It was a collective decision. It wasn't my decision. We do everything together. Emotionally it was difficult but we believe we've made the right decision for the club."

The naming of Thomas Frank as their fifth full-time manager in six years and the 13th since Levy became chairman over 25 years ago, is a chance for fresh start for Spurs.

"Whenever you have a new coach it's always a fresh start. You always have different ideas. But we want to build on the success of winning a trophy last season.

"One of the things that stood out to me with Thomas is that he's clearly highly intelligent. Great communicator. Super human being. Plus all the other technical aspects that are obviously important."

Spurs chief executive Vinai Venkatesham explained why Frank is the man for the job.

"We ran a really thorough process at speed. We defined 10 characteristics that we think are important to be a successful manager at Tottenham Hotspur," Venkatesham said.

"We analysed in real detail, through our technical staff led by Johan (Lange, technical director), more than 30 candidates. We had a shortlist. We spent a lot of time at the shortlist.

"And Thomas was absolutely the number one candidate. And could not be more excited to have him join the club. I agree with everything that Daniel said around his characteristics.

"Personally one of the things I'm really excited about is that he is an outstanding developer of young players. I really look forward to seeing what he can do with the squad that we have here. I think the club have got wonderful foundations."

Tottenham fired manager Ange Postecoglou on Friday, two weeks after the Australian led the club to the Europa League title to end its 17-year wait for a trophy.

Tottenham beat Manchester United in the Europa League final but otherwise had a dismal season as it finished 17th in the Premier League standings.

"Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties," Tottenham said in a statement.

Postecoglou spent two seasons at Tottenham after joining from Celtic in June 2023.

Spurs made a bright start in the Australian's first season in charge, playing an attack-minded and entertaining style of football led to both high-scoring wins and losses.

It narrowly missed out on a Champions League place by finishing fifth in 2023-24, but then saw a major dip in results this past season.

It's 17th-place finish was its lowest since the Premier League was founded in 1992. Tottenham lost 22 of its 38 games and ended the campaign just one position above the relegation places.

It meant that securing the club's first piece of silverware since 2008, while also qualifying for next season's Champions League, didn't save Postecoglou from losing his job.

Re-watch the 2025 UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, streaming on demand on Stan Sport

"It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond," the club said in a statement.

"This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision."

The cost of the compensation package that Tottenham would have to pay Ange Postecoglou if they decide to sack him has been revealed.

Two weeks after leading Spurs to the Europa League title, which ended a 17-year drought for the club, uncertainty around Postecoglou's future remains.

With the 1-0 victory over United last month, Tottenham secured Champions League qualification for next season.

After a disappointing domestic campaign, without the Europa League win, Spurs would not be featuring in any European competition next season.

Tottenham finished the 2024-25 Premier League season in 17th place with 22 defeats — the most by any side to avoid relegation to the Championship.

This was the club's lowest top-flight finish in 48 years.

Re-watch the 2025 UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, streaming on demand on Stan Sport

For months, rumours have been circulating that the Aussie could be sacked regardless of whether his side triumphed in the Europa League.

An announcement regarding Postecoglou's future is yet to be made by the club. This is said to be because Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has been out of the country, and Postecoglou has been on holiday with his family in southern Greece.

But several prominent outlets in the UK have claimed that a decision has been made, with the prevailing sentiment being that Postecoglou will depart.

Football Insider reports that Tottenham is holding off on an announcement to allow the high emotion from the Europa League triumph to subside.

Levy is also expected to return from his holiday in the coming week, with a final decision anticipated soon after.

But while axing Postecoglou could cause major backlash from fans still celebrating the silverware, there is another complication for Levy's decision — the compensation figure.

According to The Telegraph, sacking Postecoglou would cost Tottenham around $8.3 million in compensation, as he still has two years left on his contract.

This is in addition to the $4.2 million bonus that the club has already forked out to Postecoglou for the Europa League win and Champions League qualification.

The terms of a potential exit were decided when he signed the deal with Tottenham that brought him to North London from Celtic in 2023.

While sacking Postecoglou would cost an absorbent amount, there is also the cost of then appointing a replacement as well.

Already carrying a significant debt burden, qualifying for the Champions League will allow Spurs to retain more of their stars and be more active in the transfer market.

However, the prolonged uncertainty with Postecoglou is already having an impact on the club's transfer dealings, with reports suggesting they are losing ground on targets.

The report from Football Insider also states that Brentford boss Thomas Frank, Fulham manager Marco Silva and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola are the frontrunners to replace Postecoglou as Spurs' new manager.

But to secure a top candidate, Tottenham would then also have to pay compensation to one of their Premier League rivals for release clauses.

As a result, parting ways with Postecoglou could cause the club a substantial financial outlay.

The Telegraph also reports that a wider restructuring might be underway at Tottenham, regardless of Postecoglou's situation, with key personnel confirming their departures, including executive director Donna Cullen.

Ange Postecoglou remains in the dark about his future at Tottenham after another bizarre day's work at the north London club.

The Australian manager was serenaded before, during and after Spurs' Premier League finale, another dispiriting 4-1 loss to Brighton on Monday (AEST).

Tottenham finished the season in 17th place - just one spot above the relegated trio of Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton.

Watch the 2025 UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, live & exclusive on Stan Sport

Yet the sentiment among most fans is for Postecoglou to stay after he piloted Tottenham to a drought breaking Europa League win just four days before.

During the team's victory parade on Saturday (AEST), Postecoglou told fans that "season three is better than season two" in all the best TV series.

"I should have thought about it a bit more because sometimes they kill off the main character. I could be in strife there," he quipped before the Brighton game.

"I assume at some point somebody will tell me something, or if not I'm just going to roll up next year and it would be a bit like (George) Costanza from Seinfeld' - I'll just sit at the desk and just get on with my job."

Tottenham's 1-0 victory over Manchester United provided Spurs their first major trophy in 17 years - along with Champions League qualification for next season.

But the team's dismal Premier League campaign has led to speculation about Postecoglou's future.

Spurs led 1-0 at halftime through Dominic Solanke's penalty before a Jack Hinshelwood double put Brighton in front.

Matt O'Riley's penalty and a brilliant Diego Gomez strike wrapped up a convincing comeback.

"How do I assess our season? Outstanding! Won a trophy which we haven't for 17 years and we're in the Champions League," Postecoglou said.

"Ask any supporter at the start of the season if they'd take that and there wouldn't be a person in the house that wouldn't. It doesn't bother me asking me about my future. I can't answer. I'm pretty relaxed about it. it's been an unbelievable season. I couldn't be any prouder.

"You're asking the wrong person. Everyone in the media is intelligent enough to know I'm not the person to know to ask those questions.

"I'll have a break and then hopefully we'll be back first day next season to start things.

"My gut feeling is I feel right now that I've done something that no one believed I could, and I shouldn't be sitting here talking about it. That's my feeling, but it is what it is."

Spurs owner and chairman Daniel Levy issued a letter to fans on the club's website before the final Premier League match.

Levy at no point confirmed that Postecoglou would continue in his role next season.

"I'd like to thank Ange and the players for making this incredible achievement possible, and thanks to all of our amazing staff – there is so much hard work that goes on behind the scenes, and this moment is for everyone to enjoy," Levy wrote.

"This is one trophy – our clear ambition as a club has always been long-term, sustained success, competing for top honours every year. We have now tasted success, and we are determined to use this as a springboard for more."

Meanwhile, Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle secured the remaining Champions League places on a dramatic final day of the Premier League season.

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest were the big losers - missing out in the race for the top five.

Villa was left with a sense of injustice after having a goal ruled out against Manchester United just moments before going behind and eventually losing 2-0 at Old Trafford.

A draw would have been enough for Unai Emery's team on a day when Newcastle lost 1-0 at home to Everton.

"The TV is clear... but of course we have to accept it," Emery said.

"It was a mistake. A big mistake."

Chelsea beat Forest 1-0 to secure a return to the Champions League after a two-year absence.

City ended the season in third place with a 2-0 win against Fulham.

Arsenal was second behind champion Liverpool.

Ange Postecoglou sent a not-so subtle message to Tottenham's chairman and the club's fans as the Europa League winners were saluted by around 150,000 ecstatic supporters during an open-top bus parade through north London.

The Australian manager and his team rode atop a white double-decker bus with "Europa League winners" emblazoned on it, which eventually took Tottenham's players to their stadium.

Fans packed the streets to celebrate the players, with chants of "glory, glory Tottenham Hotspur" as captain Son Heung-min held the trophy up while teammates and Postecoglou waved to fans with medals around their neck.

Having already delivered an iconic quote in his post-match press conference, telling reporters "this victory is for the true believers", Postecglou backed it up with what many on social media called a "mic drop moment".

"I told them and they laughed. I told them and they didn't believe," he began.

"And we're here because of this unbelievable group of people, the players, the staff, absolute heroes, led by the legend, Son Heung-Min, Cuti Romero, James Maddison, and Guglielmo Vicario.

"All of them, heroes, and they did it all for you. Because you deserve it. This club deserves it."

He then finished with: "And I'll tell you something, I'll leave you with this.

"All the best television series, season three is better than season two."

As soon as the Aussie manager finished speaking fans cheers loudly, no doubt a message to chairman Daniel Levy, who was standing close by.

It was Tottenham's first trophy parade since winning their last FA Cup in 1991, while their last scame in the 2008 League Cup.

Postecoglou's side are currently 17th in the Premier League, one place above the relegation zone, as they face up to their worst finish since 1976-77.