Tottenham Hotspur

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Ange Postecoglou has gone and although sorry, I am not even slightly surprised - it has been an awful domestic season for Spurs.

I do not however think Ange's time at the top is finished, though he might have to look for a progressive continental club to reignite his career.

His CV is very good and that Europa League triumph for Spurs can never be taken away. He could also argue that his methods and style were hampered by a lack of backing in the transfer market.

You cannot play high tempo 'Ange Ball' unless you have a very deep squad with real quality, youth and energy in reserve. The players he wanted and needed could not be acquired by the club. Had he got Conor Gallagher as he wanted, it could have made a huge difference. Gallagher was born for 'Ange Ball' and would have helped everyone else around lift their game.

There is also the fact that Postecoglou wanted to buy Eberechi Eze and got Timo Werner on loan instead. I was going to explain this disparity further but if you know football at all, you have got the point already.

I think Ange's ideals mirror the way the game is evolving. His coaching ethos is closer to Paris St-Germain than those languishing in the past overplaying post-Pep landscape.

Of course, this idea will be laughed at right now, but I recall being one of very few that thought Manchester United were mad to get rid of David Moyes. Spurs have lost a good coach, a far better one than most people think he is just now.

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We asked for your views on whether Tottenham need to act urgently in the transfer market, as the first of the two deadline days this summer comes to a close on Tuesday.

Here are some of your comments:

Tristen: We don't have a manger to make any decisions with signing players so probably not, however, Daniel Levy loves a cheap club signing regardless what any manager says so he will probably sign someone who will be another sub-par player.

Hardcastle: Would rather we waited until our new manager is appointed before we delve into the transfer market.

David: I hope there will be no moves in or out until a new manager is in place. This needs to happen before the window re-opens.

Brian: We won't be making any additions in this brief window. No-one is going to join Spurs without a manager in place. The only news I could imagine would be a double deal for a player and manager from the same club, with one from our current squad going in the other direction. But really, I think the corporate leadership would desperately like to see the end of this mini-window, which has only dispirited the fan base.

Mike: No business will be done because, thanks to the chairman, we have no manager! He wastes yet another opportunity to really build a winning team!

Clare: Thanks to Levy and his board we don't even have a manager to make any decisions. We're already now so far behind others completing early transfers. In order to compete in the Premier League and Champions league this season, the incoming manager (whoever he is and whenever he comes) has a lot of work to do. We have quite a young squad and so Levy has to dig deep into his pocket and at least spend the Europa League money on experienced and proven players.

Today is the first of two transfer deadline days this summer as the window shuts for seven days before reopening on 16 June.

In a change to the summer transfer window norm, it opened early to allow clubs involved in the Fifa Club World Cup 10 days to sign players for inclusion in the competition.

Whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

Follow our live text coverage throughout the day here

And keep up to date with all the latest news, views and transfers for your club

Tottenham have stepped up their interest in Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo, while Manchester United also remain admirers of the 25-year-old Ghana forward. (Sky Sports), external

Finally, Spurs are one of the latest clubs to show an interest in 22-year-old Red Bull Salzburg and Mali winger Dorgeles Nene. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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"If people want me to change my approach, it's not going to change," Ange Postecoglou said, external after his Tottenham lost 6-3 at home to Liverpool in December.

In the Premier League, his style rarely changed and - despite a more conservative set-up in the latter stages of the Europa League - this sometimes stubborn commitment and lack of a Plan B or C contributed to his dismissal last week.

Now Tottenham are closing in on Brentford boss Thomas Frank as Postecoglou's replacement - a man who midway through the Bees' second season in the top flight in January 2023 said: "Adaptability or tactical flexibility is something I believe a lot in."

"It is really important and something we train a lot on," he added in a long interview with Sky Sports. "First and foremost, I want to win and that's why we are a little bit pragmatic."

Later that year, when appearing as a guest on Sky's Monday Night Football, external, Frank broke down his tactical approach for facing the Premier League's best teams.

It included switching from a 4-3-3 to a 3‑5‑2 defensively, creating overloads with three or four players in wide areas and compacting the central part of the pitch.

"It's a little bit different between a four and five but the defensive principles are the same," he said.

Brentford's approach under Frank has been to adapt to the opponent. Non-negotiable foundations, such as a compact mid or low block when defending and highly-planned set-piece organisation, are in place but he prepares his team to switch systems fluently.

He explains how he meets with his coaching and analysis teams at the beginning of the week to set his tactical plan for the specific opponent before introducing it to the players in training in the days before the match.

Like Postecoglou, Frank is principled in his approach, but has shown greater flexibility in the Premier League than the Australian and less of an ideological approach.

Whether this more opponent-specific style will endear him to Spurs fans after Postecoglou's rollercoaster two years remains uncertain, but appointing Frank would signify a switch to a more calculated way of playing in the Premier League.

It is not just at the top of the Premier League where American ownership has a foothold in English football.

Twenty years on from the Glazer takeover of Manchester United, one third of the 72 EFL clubs now have either majority or minority US backers.

In a special episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, Kelly Cates is joined by a group of experts to investigate whether this trend is likely to continue.

Listen on BBC Sounds

On Tuesday, the first of two summer transfer windows will come to a close.

So, do you expect business to be done at Tottenham Hotspur before the deadline? Do you want players to come in or exit? If so, what or who do you think is needed?

Let us know

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Mauricio Pochettino has ruled himself out of the running to succeed Ange Postecoglou, saying a return to Tottenham at this point is "not realistic".

Postecoglou was sacked on Friday, despite leading the club to their first piece of silverware in 17 years.

Pochettino, whose five-year stay at Spurs came to an end in November 2019, has been linked with a return to north London.

But the Argentine, who was appointed as United States manager in October 2024, says he is happy in his new role.

"Today it's not realistic," said Pochettino. "Look where I am. Look where we [his backroom staff] are. The answer is so clear.

"Since I left in 2019, my name has always been on the list [of rumours]. I've seen the rumours.

"If something happens [in the future], you for sure will see, but I am so happy in this moment and we cannot talk about this type of thing."

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Tottenham have exercised the option to extend defender Ben Davies' contract by a year to the summer of 2026.

The 32-year-old is Spurs' longest-serving player, having joined from Swansea City in 2014.

Davies' deal was due to expire this summer and Tottenham say they are "delighted" he will be staying for the 2025-26 season.

Capable of playing at left-back or centre-back, Davies has made 358 appearances in for Spurs, scoring nine goals and captaining the team 13 times.

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We asked for your thoughts on who you want to see succeed the sacked Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Josh: I am not enthused by Thomas Frank as a potential manager, but who knows? Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho didn't get us anywhere and there is a dearth of top-class managers anyway. I would try for Oliver Glasner but I'm not at all confident that Mr Levy and co will make the right decision.

Ben: Frank because he has managed to find a system that suits his players at Brentford and if the system doesn't work he switches it up. As much as I love him, Ange almost never did that.

Jeffrey: Glasner, plus at least three of his players at Crystal Palace, would be my choice. The decision to sack Ange leaves me bewildered, however. What exactly is the game about?

Stan: It's Poch all day, for me, but he's not available until after World Cup, so I would plump for Frank. He's steady, has a track record of bringing through and improving young talent, has extensive Premier League experience (which Ange lacked), and is a tough cookie.

Sidney: I have two names in mind to replace Postecoglou that I would love - Glasner and Pottechino. Glasner is the dream. After his season at Palace, think about what he could do at Spurs. Although Pochettino is less likely, it would be amazing for him to come back and get what he deserved in his last season here - but this is very unlikely as the 2026 World Cup is coming up and he is the USA manager!

Anff: Andoni Iraola would be my first choice, then Frank a close second. However, I can't see either joining because they are both mid-project at their current clubs.

Russell: Davide Ancelloti, for me. Even though he's not got experience as the main man, a lot of noise coming out of Real Madrid was that he was very influential in their success.

Andrew: Edin Terzic. Experience in Europe and plays good football.

Graham: Pochettino - unfinished business at Spurs...

Choose who you would want next from our list of candidates here

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

On the one hand, sacking the first manager to win your club a trophy in 17 years feels, well, a bit Spursy.

However, that league form was unforgivable and so, on balance, I think it is the right decision to part ways with Ange Postecoglou now.

I certainly would not have wanted us to end up sacking Postecoglou at Christmas and then be scrabbling around for an interim coach partway through the campaign.

Much better to give the new manager a full pre-season with a group of players who will need to bond with another coach all over again.

Whoever that person may be, it is imperative they understand the assignment.

There is no endless pot of money to sign whoever they want. They will need to develop young talent and build upon what is still a squad that struggles with strength in depth.

Their reward is Champions League football. Part of me feels a little uneasy at the prospect of a manager who has never coached at that level before guiding us through.

Then I remember that Mauricio Pochettino navigated us all the way to a final, that Ange won a trophy after our worst Premier League campaign, and that to dare is to do.

The so-called 'big' names do not tend to work out for us, so I am not against our next manager being someone with a point to prove.

As we look forward to what is next, let's not forget to thank Ange for the good memories. For all the problems - and there were a few - he brought exciting, attacking football back to our club.

In turn, Ange gets to leave with one of the best sporting quotes of all time, and as a trophy winner - not many ex-Spurs managers can say the same.

Find more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on Instagram, external

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Tottenham's players have been paying tribute on social media to Ange Postecoglou after the Australian's sacking on Friday.

Captain Son Heung-min said: "You believed in yourself, and us, since day one and never wavered for a second. Even when others did.

"You knew what we were capable of all along. You did it your way. And your way brought this club the best night it's had in decades. We will have those memories for life.

"Ange Postecoglou, you are a Tottenham Hotspur legend forever. Thank you, mate."

Pedro Porro wrote: "Thank you for everything, boss. I'll always be grateful for the way you led us, defended us, and kept us going through all the highs and lows.

"Above everything, you gave us one of the greatest moments in the club's history and for that, you'll always be celebrated."

Fellow defender Micky van de Ven added: "Gaffer, thank you for everything.

"Believed in me from the first day I arrived at the club. Many ups and downs in the past two years but you kept believing in us and kept pushing us.

"Forever grateful that you made me part of it."

Striker Dominic Solanke said: "Thank you for bringing me to this wonderful club, thank you for bringing us a wonderful trophy.

"Won't ever forget the convo we had before I signed and we achieved a dream. All the best in your next adventure."

Forward Richarlison added: "Everyone who loves Spurs will remember that Big Ange always bags trophies in his second season. We've made history! Cheers and good luck on your journey! I'll always be rooting for you."

And goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario wrote: "From that very first call, right from the beginning, you always showed so much belief in me.

"Giving me the opportunity to be part of the leadership group... those moments, and many others, will stay with me forever.

"You are not only a top manager, you are an incredible person to work for - a real leader, a mentor, and someone I'll always look up to.

"What we achieved TOGETHER will stay in the history books."

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Speak to those behind the scenes at Tottenham and they will explain how injuries have been the most pertinent factor behind their recent issues.

Cristian Romero, Son Heung-min, Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski, Micky van de Ven, Richarlison and Guglielmo Vicario are among the players to have spent extended spells on the sidelines this season - many with muscular issues.

James Maddison, Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall were all unavailable in Bilbao, while Son started on the bench because he was deemed unfit having only recently returned from injury.

Multiple sources have told BBC Sport the club's injury record has been at the centre of some friction between members of the coaching team and medical and strength and conditioning staff over the course of the season.

"It's been the blame game," one well-placed source said.

Richarlison's injury-disrupted campaign has been a real bone of contention, according to sources, particularly in the aftermath of the 4-0 Carabao Cup defeat by Liverpool in February when, having only recently returned from hamstring and groin problems, the Brazil international injured a calf.

And there have been other examples this season when Ange Postecoglou's team and the medical and fitness department have not seen eye to eye.

Read more from Mokbel on the reasons behind Postecoglou's sacking

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

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Many Tottenham fans will feel it was right to sack Ange Postecoglou, but others will believe his success earned him the right to a third season, an opportunity to build on the emotional scenes witnessed in Bilbao, then on the streets at the Europa League homecoming.

The Premier League placing will be 'Exhibit A' in the case against Postecoglou, but it is a reflection of the cold state of the game these days when securing a club's first silverware in 17 years sees you out of a job.

Comparisons will be made with Manchester United's ill-fated and expensive decision to keep Erik ten Hag last summer after they won the FA Cup, only to sack him in October, but they had also won silverware under his predecessors Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal.

Spurs, by contrast, were starved of trophies until Postecoglou changed all that. They had no recent history of winning until the Australian arrived following a brilliant spell at Celtic.

Postecoglou achieved something that was beyond those who went before him, illustrious names like Mauricio Pochettino, Mourinho and Antonio Conte, by providing Spurs with the glory they once regarded as their hallmark - and he clearly wanted to carry on in charge.

Daniel Levy was basking in the glory Postecoglou brought him, but this did not stop him taking a decision which he insisted could not be shaped by emotion.

The pressure and scrutiny will now switch back to the chairman, who has followed his long track record of sacking managers who did not win trophies by sacking the one who did.

Postecoglou brought glory - only to learn the harsh lesson that it is not enough for Levy.

Read more from McNulty on Postecoglou's sacking here

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

The story of Tottenham's campaign started with the visit of one of European football's emerging 'Golden Boys'.

It is a little-known fact that Spurs' preparations for the 2024-25 campaign started with a visit from Desire Doue.

The talented attacker, then playing for Rennes, was so intrigued by Ange Postecoglou's project he made an undercover visit to the club's training ground in Enfield amid optimism a deal could be done.

Fast forward nine months and 20-year-old Doue, who in the interim had signed for Paris St-Germain, was the star of the Champions League final.

In retrospect, Spurs' failure to lure him was a sign of what was to come - a series of blows during a truly forgettable domestic season.

It's important to stress their inability to land Doue was not for the want of trying - but while his reputation has soared, Tottenham and Postecoglou were left in despair all too often.

Read more insight from Mokbel on the reasons behind Postecoglou's sacking

James Gregg is joined by BBC Sport's senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel, BBC Radio 5 Live's senior football reporter Ian Dennis, former Spurs midfielder Michael Brown and Flav from the Fighting Cock Podcast to bring you all the reaction from Ange Postecoglou's rollercoaster tenure.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

Tottenham will have to pay in excess of £10m if they want to bring in Brentford boss Thomas Frank to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Saturday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Ange Postecoglou may have only just departed, but attention will quickly turn to who replaces the outgoing boss at Tottenham Hotspur.

Some early names in the frame include Brentford manager Thomas Frank, former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola.

Fulham's Marco Silva, Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner and ex-Brighton head coach Roberto de Zerbi have also been suggested among others.

But who would you prefer? Or maybe it is someone else entirely?

Make your choice in this article and send us your thoughts about who should be the next Spurs boss