John Cross: Postecoglu Sacking Could Cost the Club Over £10m | OneFootball

Spurs’ Costly Next Move: Chasing Frank After Ange Exit

Few managerial exits are as jarring as Ange Postecoglou’s departure from Tottenham Hotspur. Fresh off delivering the club its first European trophy in decades—the Europa League no less—the Australian has been dismissed in a move that feels both coldly strategic and curiously timed.

John Cross in the Mirror revealed the cost of this decision is not trivial. “Tottenham boss Daniel Levy reached a final decision on Postecoglou’s future with the choice to sack him and his staff costing around £5m plus there is also a £2m bonus for the Aussie after he won the Europa League.” It’s a £7m parting gift for a man who, in many eyes, revitalised Spurs after the Mourinho-Conté era.

Thomas Frank: Spurs’ New Vision or Expensive Gamble?

In Postecoglou’s place, Tottenham are eyeing Brentford’s Thomas Frank—one of the most admired tacticians in the Premier League, and by no means an easy acquisition. Cross reports: “Tottenham will face a staggering bill in excess of £10m to hire Thomas Frank.”

Frank’s contract, extended in December 2022, includes a hefty buy-out clause. It reflects Brentford’s determination to hold onto their man, and any negotiations will likely start at eight figures. There’s even talk of a gentleman’s agreement for Frank to stay another year—though such courtesies tend to dissolve under the weight of serious money and Champions League football.

Tottenham’s appeal is substantial: European nights at their world-class stadium, a significant summer war chest, and the chance to build upon a title-winning platform. It’s a tantalising step up. But is Frank truly available? When asked in May, the Dane was emphatic: “Right now, of course, I am committed. I just lost to Fulham, our local rivals, so [I am] fuming in every aspect. So yes, I am committed like I have always been.”

Behind the Curtain: Power Shifts and Political Undercurrents

John Cross also points to deeper movements within the club. The departure of long-time director Donna Cullen, Daniel Levy’s trusted ally, suggests broader shifts are afoot. New CEO Vinai Venkatesham—formerly of Arsenal—has already started work. And Fabio Paratici’s rumoured return after serving a ban for his part in Juventus’ financial scandal adds further intrigue to Tottenham’s upper ranks.

These developments hint at a club in flux, perhaps driven more by boardroom strategy than touchline results. Cross observes: “There is a feeling that Tottenham’s direction has been heavily influenced by his agent group Base.” It suggests Postecoglou’s reign was tangled in off-pitch politics as much as on-pitch performance.

The sudden departure of Cullen and the return of figures like Paratici could signify an aggressive new phase in Levy’s approach—one where European silverware isn’t the end goal, but merely the starting point for a broader commercial and strategic repositioning of the club.

Who Else Is in the Frame?

While Frank tops the wishlist, other names are being quietly sounded out. Fulham’s Marco Silva and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola have been flagged as viable alternatives. Both bring Premier League experience and tactical acumen, albeit without Frank’s aura or profile.

And yet, every name on the list comes with complications. Silva has built something sturdy at Fulham, while Iraola has only just begun to shape his Bournemouth project. To lure either away would require not only a persuasive project but, inevitably, more money.

As Cross rightly concludes, “The cost is mounting up for Tottenham amid a potentially big summer of change—and would grow even bigger if they decide to go for Frank.” In an era when even managers come with transfer fees, Levy must weigh ambition against arithmetic.

There’s a curious irony at play here: a club finally conquering Europe, only to press the reset button days later. Postecoglou was never universally adored by the Spurs hierarchy, but he won fans with his candour and philosophy. And now, he exits not as a failure, but a victor cut loose in pursuit of something shinier.

Tottenham’s next step could define the next decade. But with nearly £20m potentially spent before a ball is even kicked next season, one wonders if Daniel Levy is gambling on the right cards—or simply raising the stakes in a game with no guarantees.