Tottenham in Turmoil Once Again as Postecoglou Sacked Weeks After Historic Triumph, Pochettino Back in the Frame
Tottenham Hotspur’s reputation as one of the most erratic and mismanaged clubs in European football has once again been reinforced, with widespread criticism falling on chairman Daniel Levy after the club’s shocking decision to part ways with Ange Postecoglou. The Australian manager was dismissed just weeks after guiding Spurs to their first major European trophy in over four decades — the UEFA Europa League title — ending a 41-year drought.
This move has drawn ire not only from the club’s fanbase, but also from across the footballing world. Supporters are left scratching their heads, wondering how a manager who had finally delivered silverware was so quickly shown the door. Many believe this is just the latest in a long line of missteps by Levy, whose leadership continues to draw comparisons to the Premier League’s most inconsistent and directionless regimes.
Who Comes Next?
With Postecoglou gone, attention has quickly shifted to who might replace him. Brentford’s highly regarded boss Thomas Frank has emerged as the frontrunner. Long admired for his tactical prowess and ability to get the best out of limited resources, Frank is seen as a natural fit and a potential upgrade — albeit a marginal one — over Postecoglou.
Should Spurs fail to land Frank, it would be viewed as a significant setback. He’s reportedly open to a new challenge and is viewed by many as ready to take the next step. However, Tottenham may be casting their net wider than just mid-table managers. A surprising name has resurfaced: former manager Mauricio Pochettino.
A Familiar Face
According to BBC Sport journalist Sami Mokbel, Spurs are seriously considering a sensational return for Pochettino, the man who brought them closest to glory during his five-year spell between 2014 and 2019. Under his leadership, Tottenham reached a Champions League final, consistently finished in the top four, and played an attractive brand of football that earned respect across Europe.
Although Pochettino’s recent stints with Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea were underwhelming, they didn’t severely tarnish his reputation. At PSG, he managed egos in a star-studded squad and won domestic trophies, while his time at Chelsea was marred more by the club’s internal chaos than his coaching. In both roles, he lacked the synergy he once had at Tottenham — further reinforcing the idea that the North London club might still be his ideal match.
When he was dismissed in 2019, Pochettino was adamant that the club needed a full rebuild. He urged Levy and the board to invest in long-term planning and overhaul a stagnating squad. His warnings fell on deaf ears, and he was instead sacked ironically for having too much vision.
Now, half a decade later, Spurs appear to be in the exact position Pochettino predicted they’d be if they refused to evolve. And while he’s not currently the leading candidate, the fact that Tottenham are even considering a reunion speaks volumes.
Other names in the frame include Fulham’s Marco Silva and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, but neither has the history with the club or the support of the fans that Pochettino still commands.
For Daniel Levy, bringing back Pochettino would be a public admission of past mistakes. The optics of crawling back to a manager he once cast aside would be awkward at best, humiliating at worst. But in football, irony and redemption often go hand in hand. Spurs fans may yet see the return of the manager who brought them closest to real success if Levy can swallow his pride.
Ultimately, Tottenham finds itself once more at a crossroads, needing not just a new coach, but a clear and honest direction. Whether it’s Frank, Pochettino, or someone else entirely, the next decision could determine whether Spurs continue to drift or finally commit to the rebuild they’ve postponed for years.
