Image source, Getty Images

Earlier this week, Tottenham defender Pedro Porro said boss Ange Postecoglou should keep his job.

"Him [Postecoglou] continuing would be good for the dressing room," Porro told the Guardian, external.

"He has built a very good group and coaches also need time. In the league, things didn't go well but he makes you win a trophy. That's important too.

"The people in the dressing room with weight have to understand that."

Jared Evitts
BBC Newsbeat

We’ve just broken the news over the phone to Spurs fan Jack. The word “shocked” is a fair way to sum up the call.

“It just doesn’t make sense to me. We wait 17 years for a trophy, we finally win a trophy in Bilbao and then we sack him and we’re back to square one again,” he says.

“It’s a shambles to be honest.”

He was there to see Tottenham win the Europa League in Bilbao in May, and says next season would have given Postecoglu an opportunity to re-build, and had a message for the outgoing manager.

“Just thanks for the memories, a lot of the fans loved you. You brought us great memories in Bilbao and we wouldn’t change that.

“Thank you for bringing us a trophy, and it’s just a shame it had to end this way really.”

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

BBC Newsbeat went to air at 17:45 BST and reporter Jared Evitts was quick to call a Tottenham-supporting contact to get his response prior to broadcast.

He ended up breaking the news to Spurs fan Jack Teasdale, who was not pleased, to say the least...

If you're just joining, we're reacting to the news that Tottenham have sacked manager Ange Postecoglou, just two weeks after the club won the Europa League.

In a statement, Spurs said the decision was made after "significant reflection" and he "will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy".

However, the statement also pointed to the poor league form during Postecoglou's reign, saying "we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games".

Postecoglou has also released a statement telling the Spurs fans that "we are forever connected" and that his "overriding emotion is one of pride".

Chris Sutton
Former England striker

Look at the teams who have won trophies this season - Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Spurs, the sides who have won trophies - their supporters have had some of the best times of their whole lives this season.

Tottenham are a club which has been ridiculed - they have had the whole 'Spursy' thing thrown at them for years, and Postecoglou has gone in and changed all that in many ways, and now they treat him like this.

In the Premier League the balance ended up being one good season - well, one excellent one - and then one not so good one. There were reasons for that, though.

Image source, Opta

Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham reign got off to a blistering start with them collecting 26 poitns from his first 10 games.

After a 2-2 draw at Brentford on the opening day of the 2023-24 season, Postecoglou's side went on to register wins against Manchester United and Liverpool as well as a draw at Arsenal to help the Australian win the Premier League manager of the month for August.

But that 10-game run came to an end with a 4-1 home defeat to Chelsea on 6 November, 2023.

Since then, Spurs have collected only 78 points from 66 league games under the former Celtic and Yokohama F.Marinos boss.

Excluding the promoted and relegated sides from the two seasons, and barring any points deductions, only Wolves have collected fewer points (76 points from 65 matches) during that period.

In comparison, 2024-25 champions Liverpool have amassed 142 points during that period while Manchester City have 135 points, despite an enduring an underwhelming 2024-25 campaign.

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham's statement announcing the departure of Ange Postecoglou made it clear that the main reason the board "unanimously" decided to part ways with the manager despite the Europa League triumph was because of their dismal league form.

"Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games," Spurs said in the statement.

"This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season."

With Postecoglou only managing 76 Premier League games, the club seem to suggest it has been all downhill for the Australian tactician after his first 10 games in charge during which they collected an impressive 26 points.

With the help of our friends at Opta, we have now looked at the numbers and here's what we've discovered.

Image source, Getty Images

Despite the goals and a first trophy in 17 years, for many the writing was on the wall for Ange Postecoglou following his side's dismal league showing this season.

An answer from Postecoglou in his final pre-match news conference as Spurs manager forebode today's news.

Q. "What can fans expect from season three?"

Ange: "Not sure, I should have thought about it a bit more because, as someone rightly pointed out, sometimes they kill off the main character."

A bit on the nose for the 59-year-old.

Image source, Getty Images

3.47 - There were 3.47 goals per game in Ange Postecoglou's Premier League matches in charge of Tottenham (264 in 76 games).

The highest goals per game ratio of any manager to take charge of 50+ games in Premier League history. (OPTA)

Here's more from Ange Postecoglou's statement, released via his CAA Base agency after his sacking as Tottenham manager was confirmed this evening:

"There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible.

"We have also laid foundations that mean this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success.

"I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them.

"I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters. I know there were some difficult times but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on.

"It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis.

"And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special."

Ange Postecoglou made another bold claim to Tottenham fans when giving a speech following their victory parade to celebrate winning the Europa League.

He said: "I will leave you with this - all the best television series, season three is better than season two."

Sadly for the Australian, he will never get the opportunity to make good on that claim.

Former England captain Alan Shearer summed up his feelings about Ange Postecoglou's sacking very succinctly on X.

He posted: "What a stupid game football is!!!!"

Chris Sutton
Former England striker

Image source, Getty Images

I would love to know the thought process behind the decision to get rid of him. Basically it is saying the finance of the Premier League is the be all and end all, is it? So finishing fourth or fifth in the Premier League and not winning a trophy is what matters - it is like they are morphing into Arsenal under Arsene Wenger at the end, if that's what is important.

But money over glory sums up the owner, Daniel Levy, doesn't it?

Nothing surprises me in football anymore, so Ange Postecoglou is better off out of it really - and maybe they can go back to being mediocre old Tottenham again now.

Ange Postecoglou has just released a statement saying that his time with Tottenham will "live with me for a lifetime".

"When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham, my overriding emotion is one of pride," said Postecoglou, via his agency CAA Base.

"The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget.

"That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream."

He also added that foundations laid at the club means they "should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success".

The Australian went on to close his statement, saying: "We are forever connected. Audere est Facere (translated: To dare is to do)."

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Sutton
Former England striker

Image source, Getty Images

You only have to look at the other side of north London, where Mikel Arteta has won one trophy in five years - the FA Cup in 2020 - and he is still in a job, and they are still building.

Ange has had to sell Harry Kane in the process too. In many ways, when something like this happens to a manager then I just always think he is better off out of it.

He was largely ridiculed when he came out and said he always wins a trophy in his second season, but if you looked at his track record he was right. He showed a bit of belief, then he went and did what he said he would - and Tottenham fans will remember that night for a long time.

Lee makes reference there to the most famous Ange Postecoglou quote of his two-year spell at Tottenham, which came in September 2024.

The former Celtic boss had mentioned during the 2024-25 preseason that he usually won things during his second year in charge.

But after a poor start to the season, he was quizzed on his statement further following a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in September.

He said: "I'll correct myself – I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year. Nothing's changed. I've said it now. I don't say things unless I believe them."

Though injuries to key personnel marred their league campaign, Postecoglou's side did manage to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup before he delivered on his promise of a second-season silverware by winning the Europa League in Bilbao on 21 May.