Ange Postecoglou Spurs future, Europa League quarter-finals, opinion
Mark Bosnich can't see a light at the end of the tunnel for Ange Postecoglou, as Australia's leading football manager faces what could be an unwinnable battle to keep his job at Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs, one of England's most storied clubs, are languishing in 15th position in the Premier League, a completely unacceptable situation for owners and fans alike.
Injuries have bit Postecoglou badly but the wheels have fallen off in recent weeks, with the 59-year-old launching a witch hunt to find a rat in the dressing room.
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Reports have intensified that Postecoglou could be fired as soon as Friday (AEST), when Tottenham take on Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals.
The tie is on a knife edge at 1-1.
"I'd like to think that if he went on and won the Europa League, which I'd dearly love for him to do, that they would keep him," Australian goalkeeping great Bosnich said on Stan Sport.
"But I even think that might be a little bit too far. The air of resignation from the supporters, the players and the manager himself - and some of the things he said - just points to the fact that there's a lot of discord internally. Plus some of the things that have come out of Ange's mouth in the last week."
Bosnich was asked whether Postecoglou was out of his depth.
"No, I don't think he's out of his depth. He's an experienced manager, but what he is not, he's not experienced at the very highest level.
"And I think that has really shown in these last six months. And that really put the icing on the cake, that comment, in saying that we think we've got a leak in the dressing room and we've narrowed it down.
"We know the type of suspicion that will put in the dressing room. I can't really say it in words, how much it will be."
Frankfurt are sitting third in Germany's Bundesliga and have home advantage for the second leg.
"It's going to be very, very difficult," Bosnich warned.
"Eintracht Frankfurt are in good form. If he doesn't win this game, if they get knocked out, the calls that have become so loud will become absolutely deafening for his dismissal."
Ex-Socceroos captain Craig Foster - who famously buried the hatchet with Postecoglou in 2022 - said there was no logical reason to expect Spurs to win given their run of horrid form.
"We're all just living basically on prayers at the moment," Foster said.
"It's a huge, huge moment. I think it'd be difficult, for even Tottenham, to relieve a coach who wins a title... everything is riding on this and therefore this is a huge moment in Ange's career. Friday morning is a huge moment in Australian football history. He's our first coach at that level and therefore everyone's hopeful."
But many British pundits fear his time in north London is already up.
Spurs have managed to win just one of their last five games in all competitions, most recently beaten 4-2 by 16th placed Wolves
Even Postecoglou understands the "general sentiment" is that he will not be in charge next season.
"I think if they go out against Frankfurt it will be a shake hands and move on to something different in terms of the manager," Liverpool great Jamie Carragher said.
"There have been some mitigating circumstances at some games with injuries but even when they've had the full team they've not been good enough."
Spurs legend Gary Lineker, a Postecoglou fan, said winning the Europa League was now a long shot.
"It's almost like it's gotten too much for him with the way things are going. It's a shame, it's tough for Tottenham," he said.
"His body language at present almost suggests that he's downbeat and I think that's not what you need as a player. You need your manager to lift you up.
"I think it's the first time he's really had an awful patch as a manager.
"The Premier League is a sterner test than what he's had before but there is still a possibility that he could end up winning a trophy and qualifying for the Champions League.
"Hopefully they can do something in Europe because that will be possibly his salvation this season."
Former England star Micah Richards, however, called on Spurs players to take accountability for their poor results.
"These performances are just not good enough," Richards said.
"They need to do better because it is looking bleak for the future of Ange. I bought into what Ange was doing. He's a very good manager but I believe he's let the media get the better of him.
"I think he is so experienced - maybe not in the Premier League - but some of the things that he is saying now is almost doubting himself.
"He doesn't need to doubt himself because he is a good manager, he just needs to get it right. It's sad to see because I genuinely believe he is a good manager, he is just going through a really bad time at the moment."