Gary Neville has weighed in on the future of Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, as the Australian’s tenure at the club faces increasing scrutiny amidst a dire Premier League season.
Tottenham have been struggling under Postecoglou’s guidance, with the team languishing in 15th place, having lost eight of their last 10 league games. Despite a few bright moments in cup competitions, the pressure is mounting for the 59-year-old, particularly after a disheartening 2-1 home defeat to Leicester, who themselves were on a seven-match losing streak before the game.
While Postecoglou has maintained some optimism, citing his tendency to find success in his second season, Tottenham’s league form has been nothing short of disastrous. Their current position leaves them 17 points adrift of the top four, and fans are beginning to question whether Postecoglou can turn things around. However, Spurs have had better fortunes in cup competitions, sitting sixth in the Europa League and with a 1-0 advantage over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final. Tottenham are also still alive in the FA Cup, with a fourth-round tie against Aston Villa coming up.
Neville, speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, discussed how Postecoglou’s future could hinge on the upcoming cup matches. “I think if he loses the second leg of the Carabao Cup to Liverpool, and goes out of the FA Cup to Villa away, I think it will become so toxic that Daniel Levy will act,” Neville stated. He continued, suggesting that while Postecoglou’s fate depends on these critical fixtures, the pressure would be too much for Tottenham’s chairman, Daniel Levy, to ignore if the team fails to progress.
Advertisement
Latest Press Conference
We’re on Social Media
The Spurs manager has been under considerable strain, with many fans directing their frustration towards Levy rather than Postecoglou. Former Manchester United manager Wayne Rooney has come to the defense of the Australian, praising his honesty despite the team’s struggles. “With Ange, injuries have absolutely killed him,” said Rooney. He added that Postecoglou’s openness with the media has not always worked in his favor, echoing the sentiment that the fall-off in form this season has been unexpected.
Despite the club’s current plight, Postecoglou remains focused on his players and staff. “I don’t feel isolated,” he explained after the Leicester defeat. “I feel like this group of players are giving everything for the club.” While admitting that Tottenham are at their lowest point since his arrival, Postecoglou insisted he still believes in his ability to turn the season around, citing the potential boost from returning players. However, with the club’s future uncertain, the manager acknowledged that nothing he can say will change the immediate challenges ahead.
As Tottenham prepare for a busy week with a fixture against Brentford in the Premier League, the pressure is on Postecoglou to deliver results. His next few matches, particularly in the cup, could determine how much longer he remains in charge. With Tottenham fans growing impatient and Neville suggesting that Levy might be forced into a decision, it’s clear that Postecoglou’s future is now tied to these crucial upcoming games.
