Tottenham Hotspur have been struggling recently, losing two consecutive games in all competitions to Ipswich Town and Galatasaray, with their most recent defeat to Ipswich marking their third loss in five matches. These poor results have seen Spurs drop to 10th in the Premier League, and pressure is mounting on manager Ange Postecoglou. While Postecoglou remains confident in his position, concerns about his tactical approach, particularly in defense, have intensified. According to former Manchester United scout Mick Brown, Postecoglou’s inability to address defensive weaknesses could lead to his dismissal. The team’s vulnerability at the back, evidenced by cheap goals conceded to teams like Crystal Palace and Ipswich, has been a significant concern, especially as these losses handed their opponents their first league wins of the 2024/25 season.
The upcoming match against Manchester City looms large for Spurs, with a loss potentially pushing them further down the table. However, even in the face of such a setback, sacking Postecoglou would be a rash decision. Despite the poor results, it would be unreasonable to blame the manager entirely for Tottenham’s struggles. The club’s problems run much deeper and, in many ways, stem from a lack of squad depth and the managerial decisions made by club chairman Daniel Levy. Spurs are significantly short of quality in certain areas, particularly in central defense, with just three specialized defenders available to Postecoglou. Additionally, the team has been left vulnerable up front, with no reliable offensive options in case of injury to the main attacking trio.
Many believe that Levy’s ongoing obsession with signing younger players, without a solid backup plan or adequate reinforcement in key areas, has contributed to the team’s current plight. The club’s reliance on unproven youth talent, rather than established, experienced players, leaves the team exposed in critical moments. This is not the first time Levy’s approach has come under scrutiny. In the past, managers like Antonio Conte and José Mourinho were made to look like failures due to the chairman’s lack of foresight and inability to back them properly in the transfer market. If Levy were to sack Postecoglou, it would risk repeating these mistakes, making the manager a scapegoat for the club’s deeper issues. Spurs fans, who have already witnessed the downfall of top-tier managers in recent years, would likely turn their frustration towards Levy if he were to make another hasty decision.
Despite the challenges, Postecoglou deserves more time to build a cohesive team. The Australian coach has worked with a limited squad and has managed to keep Tottenham in contention for two trophies this season—the Europa League and the Carabao Cup. These cup competitions offer Spurs a real chance at silverware, and it would be unwise to dismiss Postecoglou while he still has the team fighting for meaningful honors. His tactical approach, while flawed in some areas, has shown potential, and given the right backing in the transfer market, there is every chance that he can turn things around.
Tottenham’s current struggles should not be laid at the feet of Postecoglou alone. The club’s lack of depth, particularly in defense and attack, is a result of long-term decisions made by Levy and the club’s recruitment team. Sacking the manager now would not solve these systemic issues and would only serve to further destabilize the team. Spurs need stability and a clear vision for the future, not another managerial change. The priority should be for the club to strengthen its squad, provide Postecoglou with the necessary tools to succeed, and give him the time to implement his vision. In the end, a premature dismissal would only serve to highlight the club’s mismanagement and set Tottenham back even further in their quest to return to the top of English football.
