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Ange Postecoglou looks set to leave Tottenham at the end of the season even if they win the Europa League, according to reports.

Spurs are in the midst of a disastrous Premier League season and they currently sit a dismal 16th on the table, The Sun reports.

Monday night’s 2-1 “car crash” defeat to Nottingham Forest was their 18th loss — and they are now just one away from matching their record of 19 defeats suffered in the 2003-04 campaign.

But the season can still be saved by ending the club’s 17-year wait for silverware via the Europa League.

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Postecoglou’s men saw off Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals to set up a last-four tie with Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.

But lifting the Europa League on May 21 will reportedly not be enough to keep the Aussie in the job.

The Telegraph claim all roads appear to be leading to Postecoglou’s exit at season’s end.

“There is a growing sense that Postecoglou is likely to leave Tottenham at the end of the season, regardless of the outcome of the Europa League campaign, either through being dismissed or a mutual parting,” the report stated.

Speaking on SEN radio, former Australian goalkeeper Mark Bosnich called the decision “extremely harsh”.

“There’s a lot of strong rumours going around that maybe Ange doesn’t survive even if they go on to win the Europa League which I would find extremely harsh,” Bosnich said.

“Sometimes the rumours are actually put out by the clubs themselves to give the manager and team are kick up the pants, which you can’t rule out.

“It has been a poor season no doubt about that... 18 defeats for a team of Tottenham’s stature is not good enough.

“But I will say to all Spurs fans... forget about the (Premier) League right now. You’re not going to get relegated.”

He continued: “If he’s going to go down, he’s going to go down fighting.

“Which means go and win the trophy, put the ball in the club’s court... because regardless of what everyone is saying it will still be a huge call.

“I can understand the hurt and disappointment but they’ve just got to stick with it until the end of the season.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Michael Owen declared that the Europa League has become the “be-all and end-all for Postecoglou.“He is really backing himself into a corner now because the more games you lose (in the Premier League), the more Europa matters,” Owen told Optus Sport’s The Final Word.

“If they can win a couple of games in the Premier League it lightens the mood in the camp and there is not so many angry questions directed at him.

It’s all pointing towards the Europa League and that is the be-all and end-all, so now if they go out in the semi-finals it is a disaster all-round.

“He’s got to at least get to the final to salvage what’s been a poor season.”

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is highly-rated by Tottenham chiefs, but the Cherries are determined and “optimistic” of keeping him.

Fulham manager Marco Silva is also among the leading candidates to replace Postecoglou.

Mauricio Pochettino has expressed his interest in returning to Tottenham - although he is set to manage the US team at their home World Cup next summer.

Spurs technical director Johan Lange is understood to be a fan of Brentford’s Thomas Frank.

It comes amid reports that their chief football officer Scott Munn is set to be sacked.

Munn is said to be Postecoglou’s “key ally and biggest supporter”.

Before beating Eintracht Frankfurt, the under-fire boss opened up about his future and admitted he has “got no idea” whether he will be at Spurs next season.

He said: “You either think I’m capable of doing the job now or you don’t. That’s where I sit with these things.

“If people think that us winning tomorrow all of a sudden makes me a better manager than what I am today or us losing tomorrow somehow makes me a worse manager, I guess that’s their burden, not mine.

“I don’t think that way and I don’t think most people think that way. Or I’d like to think they don’t, in terms of their own sort of self esteem and who they are as people.

“I couldn’t care less. Really. I couldn’t care less.

“There’s no burden on me, there’s no anxiety on me. What I’m sitting here doing is thinking we’ve got a great opportunity to get to the final four of a major tournament.

“Mate, I’m not going to let that slip by without fighting tooth and nail for it irrespective of what may come the day after.”

Nottingham Forest beat struggling Tottenham 2-1 on Monday (Tuesday AEST), bouncing back from two defeats to strengthen their push for a Champions League spot and heaping the pressure on Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.

Forest came into the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in sixth spot in the table after losses to Aston Villa and Everton.

But early goals from Elliot Anderson and topscorer Chris Wood settled their nerves and they held on tenaciously despite a late goal from Richarlison to climb to third in the table.

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Leaders Liverpool have one hand on the Premier League title and Arsenal are likely to finish second. But behind them the competition is fierce for the top five places that will guarantee qualification for the Champions League next season.

Just three points separate Forest from Aston Villa in seventh spot, with five games remaining for all the contenders.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s visitors took the lead in the fifth minute following a corner when Anderson’s deflected shot beat Guglielmo Vicario.

Wood had the ball in the net five minutes later but it was ruled out by VAR for off-side.

But the New Zealander doubled Forest’s lead in the 16th minute, nodding a cross from Anthony Elanga past Vicario.

Spurs dominated possession and had more shots on goal but provided little threat.

Forest had a chance to make it 3-0 10 minutes into the second half when Wood cushioned the ball into the path of Morgan Gibbs-White but the midfielder skewed his shot wide.

Forest defender Harry Toffolo produced a spectacular overhead goal line clearance to keep out Dejan Kulusevski’s header shortly after the hour mark.

Substitute Spurs defender Kevin Danso let fly from range but it did not trouble Matz Sels.

Postecoglou brought on former Forest winger Brennan Johnson and forward Dominic Solanke with a quarter of the match to go.

Sels produced a superb fingertip save low down to his right from a Richarlison header with about 10 minutes to go as Tottenham upped the pressure.

The Brazilian did get on the scoresheet in the 87th minute, powering a header home from a Pedro Porro cross but the visitors held on.

Forest are two-time European champions but have not played in the continent’s top club competition since the 1980/81 season.

Spurs’ 18th defeat of a miserable Premier League season leaves them just two places above the relegation zone.

But Postecoglou still has a chance to win silverware in his second season at the club.

Spurs face Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals of the Europa League next month, with the winner of the competition guaranteed a place in next season’s Champions League.

Fifth-placed Manchester City host Villa on Tuesday.

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.”

Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs have a 1-0 lead after striker Dominic Solanke stepped up and slotted a penalty in the 43rd minute.

The goal came after a big moment in the clash, with keeper Kauã Santos coming off his line and colliding with Tottenham midfielder James Maddison in ugly fashion.

The referee then checked the VAR screen and awarded the penalty, which was scored, while Maddison was forced to leave the field due to injury.

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“He steps up when Tottenham Hotspur needed him,” the commentator said.

Spurs now hold a 2-1 aggregate lead in this tie and as it stands they will progress through to the next round.

“This feels like a major moment in Tottenham Hotspur’s season... Ange’s side are ahead,” the commentator said.

Ange Postecoglou’s last-ditch effort to save his job at Tottenham involves winning a trophy, and that makes the first leg of Spurs’ Europa League quarter-final at home simply critical.

It started in disastrous fashion with visitors Eintracht Frankfurt scoring just six minutes into the tie after a sloppy Spurs turn over in midfield.

Hugo Ekitike was the goal scorer for the German outfit as he was left all alone and able to charge forward before firing past Tottenham goalkeeper Vicario.

Postecoglou breathed a sigh of relief 20 minutes later when Pedro Porro levelled the scores, and 1-1 is where it remained at half time.

Tottenham will take solace in the second half from the fact they have largely controlled the game, having more of the ball and creating more chances.

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It comes as he says even the “good stuff” Tottenham do is turned into a negative, acknowledging the “general sentiment” is that he will not be in charge next season.

Speculation over the Australian’s future has been rife for months following a tough, injury-hit season for Spurs, who are 14th in the Premier League.

The Europa League is the club’s only chance to salvage a difficult campaign, with Eintracht Frankfurt visiting this morning (5am AEST) for the first leg of their quarter-final.

Postecoglou said it was tough to change the narrative around Tottenham’s campaign.

“I just think we’re in that position now where even good stuff we may do is going to be turned into some sort of a glass half-(empty) rhetoric and from that perspective I don’t think that can be a driver in what we want to do,” he said.

The former Australia and Celtic boss referred to a newspaper opinion piece that suggested even European glory may be too little, too late to save him.

“(Someone) wrote that even if we win it (the Europa League), I’m gone anyway. That’s not having a go at you, that’s just saying the general sentiment of people. So if you’re trying to use that as a motivation, you’re not going to win that anyway.

“There’s got to be something more in it for us.... We’ve been through a really tough time but we’re still in a position where we can make an impact.” Postecoglou said he arrived at Spurs in 2023 with a clear vision of what he could offer.

“As long as I’m in this position, that’s always my focus, irrespective of whatever noise there is or what there may or not be in the future,” he said. “I don’t see that that should diminish my burning ambition, my desire and my determination to make that happen.”

Ange Postecoglou says even the “good stuff” Tottenham do is turned into a negative, acknowledging the “general sentiment” is that he will not be in charge next season.

Speculation over the Australian’s future has been rife for months following a tough, injury-hit season for Spurs, who are 14th in the Premier League.

The Europa League is the club’s only chance to salvage a difficult campaign, with Eintracht Frankfurt visiting on Thursday for the first leg of their quarter-final.

Postecoglou said it was tough to change the narrative around Tottenham’s campaign.

“I just think we’re in that position now where even good stuff we may do is going to be turned into some sort of a glass half-(empty) rhetoric and from that perspective I don’t think that can be a driver in what we want to do,” he said.

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The former Australia and Celtic boss referred to a newspaper opinion piece that suggested even European glory may be too little, too late to save him.

“(Someone) wrote that even if we win it (the Europa League), I’m gone anyway. That’s not having a go at you, that’s just saying the general sentiment of people. So if you’re trying to use that as a motivation, you’re not going to win that anyway.

“There’s got to be something more in it for us … We’ve been through a really tough time but we’re still in a position where we can make an impact.”

Postecoglou said he arrived at Spurs in 2023 with a clear vision of what he could offer.

“As long as I’m in this position, that’s always my focus, irrespective of whatever noise there is or what there may or not be in the future,” he said.

“I don’t see that that should diminish my burning ambition, my desire and my determination to make that happen.”

Postecoglou added: “I get that they (the fans) are frustrated and angry.

“At the same time, I understand the criticism towards me. But if anyone looked at the players and said they aren’t trying – then I am sorry they are not watching the right game.”

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has once again vented his frustration with the VAR technology following Spurs’ Premier League victory over Southampton in north London.

After Brennan Johnson struck twice in the first half, Mateus Fernandes’ late reply couldn’t prevent bottom-of-the-table Southampton, beaten for the 25th time in 31 games, from crashing back to the Championship.

Spurs midfielder Lucas Bergvall thought he had scored in the 33rd minute when he found the net from close-range, but VAR chalked off the goal for a marginal offside, with the check lasting four minutes and fifty seconds.

During the delay, Postecoglou was seen flipping an imaginary coin and playing rock-paper-scissors, seemingly implying the goal had been put down to chance.

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Speaking to reporters after the game, the Australian reiterated that offside decisions should not be “microscopically adjudged”, while he remained hopeful the impending semi-automated offside technology would speed up the process.

“If you told me a few years ago that we would be spending five minutes during a football game standing around I would never have believed you,” Postecoglou told reporters.

“They draw those lines (to check for offside) – is anyone convinced by those? This is not a slight on anyone as I don’t think it favours us or not favours us but the fact we’re waiting five minutes, I really don’t think that’s what technology was brought in for.

“I think it’s gone too far down the road for anyone to claw it back. We used to allow the assistants to make those decisions and we all accepted it.

“Offside was never meant to be microscopically adjudged but if they ever get to a place when that is done instantaneously then I accept it because offside is offside.

“I just can’t believe that this is what we brought it in for, to stand around for five minutes for something that in the end is still, in my view anyway, inconclusive.

“Like I said, the semi-automated will come in, says it’s going to hopefully improve and speed up the process but I didn’t think there was a crying need for the game of football to be disrupted like this.”

Tottenham will next host German team Eintracht Frankfurt for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.

“The first half, I thought was excellent. We were really disciplined, really well-organised. We always looked a threat going forward,” Postecoglou told SpursPlay.

“That’s probably as threatening as we’ve looked. We scored two goals, and had one disallowed.

“The second half, not so much. We became way too passive without the ball, and not aggressive enough with the ball – we didn’t keep possession as well as we should have.”

He continued: “The important thing is we got the win, scored three goals and everyone got through unscathed and ready for a big night on Thursday.”

Liverpool slumped to just their second Premier League defeat this season as Fulham clinched a shock 3-2 win over the runaway leaders, while Southampton were relegated in record-setting time after a 3-1 loss at Tottenham on Sunday.

The drama at Craven Cottage and Tottenham overshadowed a drab 0-0 draw between Manchester United and Manchester City.

Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Everton on Saturday left Liverpool needing just 11 points to secure a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.

Arne Slot’s men were unbeaten in 26 league games and looked set to take another step towards the title when Alexis Mac Allister’s stunning strike opened the scoring.

But poor defending allowed Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz to turn the game around for Fulham.

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The Reds appear to be running out of steam after challenging in four competitions for most of Slot’s largely impressive first season since replacing Jurgen Klopp.

But Liverpool are still almost certain to win their first title since 2020 with only seven games remaining for second-placed Arsenal to catch them.

After a Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain and League Cup final defeat to Newcastle, Liverpool edged Everton 1-0 in a feisty Merseyside derby on Wednesday to get back to winning ways.

However, their lethargic effort against Fulham might delay the title party for a little while longer.

“In general we are not making many of these errors, let alone three in one game,” Slot said.

“People want to make stories which is their job. Many teams find it difficult to play Fulham. The second half performance was outstanding. We had chances but in the end we lacked time.”

In north London, Brennan Johnson struck twice in the first half and Mateus Fernandes’ late reply was too late to stop bottom-of-the-table Southampton crashing back to the Championship.

Beaten for the 25th time in 31 games, Southampton are the first Premier League team to be relegated with seven matches still to play.

Ipswich and Derby were relegated with six games left in 1994-95 and 2007-08 respectively.

Ivan Juric’s side are also still one shy of matching Derby’s 2007-08 record low Premier League total points of 11.

Juric, whose team are without a win in their last seven league matches, admitted this week that avoiding the record low points tally is Southampton’s only target for the rest of their dismal season.

“We have to avoid that record. Do our best. It cannot happen,” Juric said.

Southampton were pushed to the brink of relegation when fourth-bottom Wolves came from behind to beat Ipswich 2-1 on Saturday, leaving Saints 22 points from safety.

Their slide down to the second tier was confirmed 315 days after they clinched promotion by beating Leeds in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

“It’s a difficult day, a tough day but I see the fans, how they love their players and their team. It’s something incredible. This experience has to serve to create something stronger than this,” Juric said.

Tottenham have been in turmoil themselves for much of the season, with fan protests against chairman Daniel Levy before and during the game underlining the depth of the problems in north London.

But under-fire boss Ange Postecoglou, who was jeered by Tottenham fans during Thursday’s defeat at Chelsea, earned a little breathing space thanks to a first win in five league games.

Manchester City missed a chance to climb into fourth place after a dour derby stalemate at Old Trafford.

Pep Guardiola’s side remain fifth, which is likely to be the final place that brings qualification for next season’s Champions League.

But City have only a one-point advantage over sixth-placed Aston Villa and are just two points ahead of seventh-placed Newcastle, who have two games in hand.

Cole Palmer was left on the bench for almost an hour as fourth-placed Chelsea’s winless run on the road continued with a 0-0 draw at Brentford.

Blues boss Enzo Maresca raised eyebrows by dropping England forward Palmer despite his side’s battle to qualify for the Champions League.

Chelsea have a UEFA Conference League quarter-final trip to Legia Warsaw on Thursday, but Maresca’s priorities were questioned following the Blues’ insipid display.

Premier League Results

Brentford 0 drew with Chelsea 0

Fulham 3 (Sessegnon 23, Iwobi 32, Muniz 37) def. Liverpool 2 (Mac Allister 14, Diaz 72)

Manchester United 0 drew with Manchester City 0

Tottenham 3 (Johnson 13, 42, Tel 90+6-pen) def. Southampton 1 (Fernandes 90)

Pressure is mounting on Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou after Spurs suffered a 1-0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday morning AEDT.

In a contest riddled with VAR drama, Enzo Fernandez’s second-half-goal proved the decisive moment as Chelsea climbed to fourth on the Premier League standings ahead of Manchester City.

Following the game, pundits speculated about a disconnect between Postecoglou and the fanbase. When the Spurs players went towards the away section to thank them for their support, the Australian kept his distance.

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“Normally, he’d be over there clapping them,” former Liverpool footballer Jamie Redknapp said on Sky Sports.

“There’s a disconnect between the two at the moment, it’s not ideal for the manager. He’s got some big games ahead. He’s got to keep his head up and keep going, keep working hard and believe in what he’s trying to do.

“It was a tough night for them, they never really played, never really got going, but these are the pressures of being a Premier League manager.”

The hosts controlled the opening 30 minutes of the contest, comfortably penetrating Tottenham’s defence but failing to convert chances into goals.

Chelsea almost got off to a dream start when Nicolas Jackson hit the post in the opening minute of the match. Later, Destiny Udogie prevented a potential goal with a sliding challenge, while goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario produced a miraculous reaction save in the 45th minute, tipping over Jadon Sancho’s deflected effort.

Tensions boiled over towards the end of the first half when Cristian Romero shoved Levi Colwill to the ground, sparking a brief brawl. Romero and Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah were shown a yellow card following the altercation.

Chelsea broke the deadlock in the 50th minute when Cole Palmer nailed a perfect cross to Fernandez, who slotted a header from six yards.

Soon after, it appeared as though Chelsea had taken a 2-0 lead when Moises Caicedo launched a volley from 15 yards into the back of the net, but the goal was overturned following a four-minute VAR intervention, which showed Colwill was narrowly off-side before heading the ball.

The Spurs’ away fans began directing chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” towards Postecoglou when the Australian brought on Pape Matar Sarr for Lucas Bergvall, but the substitution appeared to be a masterstroke when the Senegalese star launched a glorious strike past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was overturned after VAR showed a clear foul from Sarr, who was booked for a challenge on Caicedo.

“It’s (VAR) killing the game, mate. It’s not the same game as it used to be,” Postecoglou said after the match.

“Everyone loves the drama and about it. It’s killing the spectacle of the game.”

Son Heung-min was denied an equaliser in the 90th minute courtesy of a clutch save from Sanchez, with 12 minutes of added time giving Spurs a glimmer of hope, but the visitors couldn’t find a late goal.

It was the club’s 16th Premier League defeat of the season.

“If I was a Spurs fans I’d be disappointed with that performance,” former Chelsea defender Gary Cahill told Sky Sports.

“I thought they were really poor in the game.”

Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp continued: “Tottenham were awful tonight.

“Not good enough in any department.

“Chelsea were so much better.”

Tottenham will next host Southampton on Sunday.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has declared that Spurs “can compete with anyone” when at full strength following Thursday’s crucial Europa League victory over AZ Alkmaar.

The Spurs booked their place in the Europa League quarter-finals by beating the Dutch team 3-1 in North London, winning the tie 3-2 on aggregate.

Reeling at 13th on the Premier League standings, Europa League success looms as the last chance this season for Postecoglou to help the club win its first trophy since 2008.

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“We’ve progressed which is the main thing, played pretty well as well,” Postecoglou said during the post-match press conference.

“I thought we were really in control of the game, we’re our own worst enemy at times.

“When we were in control, we let them back in the game and it was nervy at the end but we thoroughly deserved to win.”

Ahead of the match, first-choice centre-back pairing Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven were declared fit to start together for the first time since December in a massive boost, while Wilson Odoberthas been hampered by injury since joining from Burnley for £25 million (AU$51 million) in August, who slotted two goals in a clutch performance.

“People are getting a real glimpse now of what Wilson is all about,” Postecoglou said.

“Such a shame how his season has gone with the time he’s missed, but he’s getting sharper now.”

He continued: “I was excited when we signed him. He’s just one of these players who has the ability to take people on, find space, great technician.

“He’s worked ard silently to get back into the team.

“He came to a new club this year, big club, a big move for him, and it just hasn’t worked out through no fault of his own because of his injury. It’s been frustrating for me not to be able to showcase him. I know how much he can develop and that’s just a starting point for him.

“He’s still working his way to full fitness.”

Asked whether the team felt more like themselves, Postecoglou responded: “It’s no coincidence. We’re getting some of our key players back and of course we are.”

Tottenham will face Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League quarter-finals, with the first match scheduled for April 10.

“We’ve still got levels to go, because I still think players like Romero, Micky and Wilson and (Dominic Solanke) and all these guys are still building their way up to match fitness and match sharpness,” Postecoglou said.

“With the quarterfinal being three-and-a-half weeks away, there’s an opportunity for us to get these guys up to speed for that game.”

He continued: “I’ve said consistently that when we’re at our best, we can compete with anyone.”