Ange Postecoglou Already Set to Join New Club after Spurs Sacking | OneFootball

Postecoglou Linked with Al-Ahli Role After Tottenham Exit

Al-Ahli Target Postecoglou Following Spurs Departure

After delivering Tottenham Hotspur’s first piece of silverware in 17 years, Ange Postecoglou may not be without a touchline for long. The Telegraph reports that “he’s been lined up for a managerial return, with Asian Champions League winners Al-Ahli interested in him, should Matthias Jaissle leave his post.”

It’s a curious twist in a career that has rarely followed convention. Postecoglou, dismissed just weeks after guiding Spurs to Europa League triumph over Manchester United, is now being considered by one of the Gulf region’s most ambitious clubs.

Given Al-Ahli’s star-studded squad, including Roberto Firmino, Ivan Toney, Riyad Mahrez, and Edouard Mendy, it’s clear the Saudi side is not short of ambition. For Postecoglou, who has long spoken about footballing projects and global challenges, this could be the next compelling chapter.

Photo: IMAGO

European Glory Overshadowed by Domestic Collapse

Despite the historic European success, Postecoglou’s time in north London ended amid a grim domestic backdrop. Tottenham, plagued by inconsistency and defensive fragility, stumbled to a 17th-place finish in the Premier League.

That imbalance ultimately cost the Australian his job, despite his significant achievement in Europe. His successor, Thomas Frank, now inherits a squad in flux, with morale questions still looming.

For many, the sacking was harsh. A trophy and a European final win are not to be dismissed lightly — especially for a club that had grown painfully used to near misses. Yet, in football, narrative often yields to numbers, and Spurs’ league position left little room for sentiment.

Mixed Player Reaction Raises Eyebrows

As with any high-profile dismissal, the reaction from the dressing room came swiftly, and with a tinge of irony. Some Tottenham players expressed their disappointment at Postecoglou’s exit, a gesture that drew sharp criticism from former manager Harry Redknapp.

He told Hayters TV: “That’s football, that’s what footballers do. ‘Oh, we love the previous manager’ — well, why didn’t you try a bit harder? You might not have finished fourth from the bottom.”

Redknapp added pointedly: “It’s the same old message… You mustn’t take any notice of what they say.” His comments cut to the core of a longstanding issue, loyalty in football is fleeting, and effort often seems to come too little, too late.

Photo: IMAGO

Next Step for a Manager Still in Demand

Postecoglou’s reputation, however, remains largely intact. The Telegraph notes that he is “expected to receive ‘plenty of offers’ this summer after engineering European glory with Tottenham.”

Whether he opts for the Saudi Pro League or awaits a more familiar challenge in Europe or Asia, one thing is clear: the appetite for his dynamic, high-pressing philosophy is strong.

With his track record of overachieving, from Brisbane to Yokohama, Celtic to Spurs, there is a sense that Postecoglou still has much more to offer the game at the highest level.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Tottenham supporters, this story stings. Not just for what was, but for what might have been. Yes, the league campaign was nothing short of disastrous, but it’s hard to ignore the euphoria of that Europa League win, a moment that felt like a turning point.

Postecoglou was far from flawless, but he had the fans. He had a plan. He delivered a trophy. For many, that should have been enough to warrant another season, especially given the squad’s fragility and the upheaval he inherited.

Now, to see him potentially heading to Al-Ahli, with a squad dripping in talent, feels like a missed opportunity. He’ll thrive there, you can sense it, and Spurs may well be left watching from afar as another ex-coach builds something special elsewhere.

Supporters will back Thomas Frank, of course. But there’s no escaping the nagging thought: Did we jump too soon? Only time will tell.