Paul Merson, the former Arsenal player and well-known pundit, has recently made some bold predictions regarding the future of Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou, especially in light of the upcoming North London derby against Arsenal. Merson’s comments come amid growing pressure on Postecoglou, who has faced intense scrutiny during his tenure at Tottenham, with the team’s poor league position and inconsistent form casting doubt on the Australian’s future at the club.
The current situation at Tottenham is far from ideal, with Spurs languishing in 12th place in the Premier League as of January 2025, which is a significant underachievement for a club with such ambitions. Ahead of Tottenham’s visit to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on January 15, 2025, Merson shared his thoughts on the club’s struggles and the pressure mounting on Postecoglou. Despite the challenges, Merson acknowledged that the manager still has opportunities to turn things around, particularly if he can secure silverware this season. However, Merson also pointed out that this could be a make-or-break moment for Postecoglou’s career at Tottenham.
Ange Postecoglou, at the age of 59, has come under fire due to Tottenham’s poor performance in the league, despite the team having some positive moments in other competitions. While Spurs have struggled domestically, they still hold a one-goal advantage over Liverpool in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final, giving them a potential route to a trophy this season. Moreover, Tottenham is still alive in both the FA Cup and the Europa League, which presents further opportunities to claim silverware. Nonetheless, Merson believes that Postecoglou’s future at the club largely depends on winning a trophy, as Spurs’ league form continues to be inconsistent.
In his column for Sportskeeda, published on January 14, 2025, Merson made a specific prediction for the North London derby, tipping Arsenal to win 3-1. He also discussed the need for Postecoglou to secure a piece of silverware in order to keep his job. Merson made it clear that although Spurs have been “too up and down” in their performances, Postecoglou’s survival at the club will likely hinge on his ability to win a trophy, regardless of their league standing. According to Merson, if Tottenham finishes in eighth place in the Premier League but clinches the Carabao Cup, that could still be seen as a successful season for the club, especially considering that Spurs have not won any major silverware since 2008. Merson suggested that winning the Carabao Cup, particularly if Tottenham were to overcome Liverpool in the semi-finals and then lift the trophy, would be a significant achievement for the club, despite their struggles in the league.
Despite Tottenham’s challenges this season, Merson highlighted that a trophy could act as a shield for Postecoglou, preventing calls for his dismissal. The pressure on Postecoglou to deliver results is undeniable, and while Merson’s comments suggest that winning a cup could secure his job for the time being, the lack of silverware at Spurs for over 15 years remains a source of frustration for both fans and management alike. Merson noted that even top teams that finish in the top four in the Premier League might fail to win a trophy, emphasizing that it is crucial for Tottenham to end their long wait for a major title.
The former Arsenal star’s remarks come amid a growing sense of discontent around Tottenham’s performances. Despite the squad being hit by injuries, particularly in the defensive department, Postecoglou’s inability to find a consistent formula for success has led to questions about his future. The team’s attacking play under Postecoglou has been lauded for being progressive and possession-based, but the failure to convert this philosophy into tangible results has been a major concern. Merson, however, cautioned that while sticking to his principles is admirable, Postecoglou must find a way to win matches in order to satisfy the expectations placed on him by the club and its supporters.
One of the more perplexing aspects of Tottenham’s season under Postecoglou is the fact that, despite their struggles, Spurs are in a better position to win a trophy than Arsenal, their fierce North London rivals. Merson alluded to the fact that, although Arsenal have been performing well in the league, they have fewer opportunities to claim silverware this season compared to Tottenham, who are still alive in three competitions. It is indeed a strange situation, considering that Arsenal are widely regarded as the stronger team in terms of league position and overall quality, yet Tottenham still have the chance to end their trophy drought this season.
Merson also pointed out that Spurs have been without silverware since winning the League Cup in 2008, and this long wait for a major trophy weighs heavily on the club’s ambitions and the fanbase’s expectations. Spurs fans have been desperate for success for many years, and the pressure on Postecoglou to deliver a cup this season is immense. Merson’s comments underscored the reality that, despite Tottenham’s relative success in other competitions, the lack of a major title remains a significant source of frustration for the club’s supporters.
The importance of winning a trophy this season cannot be overstated for Postecoglou. Spurs have been in a state of flux since their last piece of silverware, and while they have come close to winning major trophies in recent years, they have consistently fallen short. Under Postecoglou, there is hope that the club can return to competing for titles, but that hope will only be sustained if they are able to win something tangible in the near future. Merson’s prediction that a Carabao Cup victory could be enough to save Postecoglou’s job reflects the reality that, at Tottenham, success is often measured by the ability to win trophies, especially given the club’s recent lack of success.
As Tottenham prepares for the North London derby, the pressure on Postecoglou to deliver a result against Arsenal is mounting. The fixture is always a fierce and high-stakes encounter, but for Postecoglou, it represents an opportunity to show that he can get a result against their biggest rivals, even amid a challenging season. A win would provide a much-needed boost to both the manager’s and the team’s morale, but a defeat could further intensify the scrutiny surrounding Postecoglou’s future.
It is clear that Postecoglou’s time at Tottenham is on a knife-edge, and the outcome of the North London derby, as well as the club’s progress in the cup competitions, could determine whether he remains at the helm for the long term. If Spurs are to maintain faith in their manager, they will need to show improvement in their performances and secure some silverware, even if their league form remains inconsistent.
In other Tottenham news, the club has been linked with a blockbuster £83 million transfer deal, highlighting their desire to strengthen their squad for the future. However, regardless of any potential new signings, Postecoglou’s future will largely depend on his ability to deliver results this season, particularly in the cup competitions. While the pressure on the manager continues to mount, the opportunity to win a trophy remains his best chance of keeping his job and ensuring that his time at Tottenham is not marked by disappointment.
The coming weeks will be crucial for Postecoglou, as he looks to navigate Tottenham’s difficult season and achieve success in the cup competitions. Whether or not he can lead the team to silverware will ultimately decide if he remains in charge at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, or if the club will once again find themselves searching for a new manager to steer them toward a more successful future. With so much at stake, Postecoglou’s tenure at Tottenham could hinge on the outcome of a few key matches, starting with the North London derby against Arsenal.
