When Son Heung-min netted a neat volley in the 25th minute of the North London derby on Wednesday, Tottenham fans believed that perhaps this would kickstart their journey out of the slump that has left them languishing in the middle of the Premier League table for much of the season. But the story was the same as it had been all season. Spurs gave up their lead and allowed Arsenal to score twice before the half-time whistle blew.
Ange Postecoglou looked tired after game ended. Arsenal had won 2-1, continuing their push for the title. Meanwhile, his men had just crumbled again—this time to their bitter rivals—leaving them 13th in the Premier League standings with 24 points.
Full-time. pic.twitter.com/7aoQM1Kizo
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 15, 2025
“Way too passive, allowed Arsenal to take control of the game,” said Postecoglou in the post-match presser. “Really disappointed with the way we, both with and without the ball, allowed them to dictate the tempo and paid a price for it.”
The Australian manager noticed improvements in the second half, as did the 3000-odd Tottenham fans present at the Emirates Stadium. But it simply wasn’t enough, and their attack just couldn’t penetrate an Arsenal defense that was adamant about not conceding.
“It’s not who we are, it’s not the way I set the team up. It’s not the way we want to play, to sit in there and allowing Arsenal to play to their tempo.”
Is Postecoglou’s job under threat?
Tottenham’s board has been incredibly patient with Postecoglou, perhaps because of his approach. Postecoglou wants to win. At all costs. And although his vision has not materialized into results yet, there was always hope within the club and its fans that he would turn things around.
But is the patience starting to wear off? Earlier this year, we saw Spurs fans collectively booing the 59-year-old, which left even him—someone who knows thankless the job of a football manager can be—surprised.
#TottenhamHotspur supporters boo Ange Postecoglou. pic.twitter.com/KLE4MuQGaH
— THFCReport (@THFCReports) December 5, 2024
2024/25 has arguably been a step down for Tottenham compared to their previous season, where they finished just two points shy of the top four and a Champions League place. He needs a turnaround, and he needs it fast or else the primary objective of continuing with their European adventure next season, will fail.
There are rumors of Postecoglou facing the sack, as there had been previously this season when Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was reported to replace him. But the Tottenham board continue to back him, at-least publicly.
After all, Postecoglou has one foot in the final of the Carabao Cup, having beaten Liverpool 1-0 in the first-leg of the semi-finals. How the second leg pans out could very well determine his future in North London.
