Ange Postecoglou must make good on his promise to deliver Tottenham Hotspur silverware this season – or he runs the risk of being sacked.
That’s the opinion of Arsenal legend Martin Keown, who believes the Australian’s future lies in achieving Europa League glory this term.
Postecoglou is under pressure with Tottenham in danger of failing to qualify for Europe next seasonGettySpurs welcome German giants Eintracht Frankfurt to north London on Thursday night for their quarter-final first leg tie, live on talkSPORT 2.
For Postecoglou, who took charge of his side in 2023, success in Europe’s second-tier competition represents the only chance of ending the club’s 17-year trophy drought.
In September 2024, the ex-Celtic manager vowed to deliver a trophy this term – insisting he ‘always’ wins things in his second season at a club.
And seven months on, the 59-year-old is under huge pressure with Spurs languishing in 14th spot with seven Premier League games remaining.
With 16 top-flight defeats already, Spurs are just three losses shy of equalling their all-time Premier League record of 19 – which they set during the 1993/94 and 2003/04 terms.
And there is a danger that Postecoglou could guide Tottenham to their lowest points total and lowest Premier League finish.
A large section of the Spurs fan base have started to turn on their manager, as shown by their travelling supporters chanting in unison, ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ during their 1-0 away defeat at Chelsea last week.
It appeared as though Postecoglou cupped his ears to the Spurs fans following Pape Matar Sarr’s equaliser at Stamford Bridge – which was eventually ruled out by VAR – though he has strenuously denied making the gesture.
For Keown, he is of the view that should Postecoglou wish to remain employed at Spurs, he must win the Europa League – which starts with overcoming Frankfurt.
Asked by talkSPORT.com about whether his job rests on the upcoming tie with Frankfurt, the Arsenal Invincible said: “Without doubt.
Postecoglou knows defeat to Frankfurt in Spurs Europa League quarter-final tie could lead to his axingGetty Spurs are currently languishing in 14th spot – eight points off the top ten“He’s saying in his second season he always wins a trophy, he’s been quite defiant.”
Keown then stated that success could depend on the availability of starting centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, who are finally back to full fitness. Van de Ven and Romero have missed 28 and 27 matches respectively due to injuries this season.
The ex-England defender remarked: “He’s [Postecoglou] now one by one getting all these players back.
“Van de Ven was rested at the weekend [for 3-1 win over Southampton], so he’s ready, he played 80-odd minutes the one before.
“Romero is another player that is really important, so I think that’s where they’ve really suffered is when they’ve lost their two central defenders.
“That platform for them to go and play their high press, but have players at the back to deal with it.
James Maddison will be looking to put on a show for his adoring fans against FrankfurtGetty Keown believes the writing could be on the wall for Postecoglou if silverware isn’t achievedtalkSPORT“So let’s see if they go and do it now [win Europa League].”
With Spurs eight points off the top ten, it seems their only chance of plying their trade across the continent next season lies in winning the Europa League, which will book them a Champions League spot.
For Keown, he has claimed that should they win the trophy, it could lead to a potential Premier League title charge, though has admitted European glory could paper over the cracks in what has been a disappointing campaign so far.
He said: “Remarkably, if they win the Europa League, they can make it into the Champions League, which is just incredible.
“We could have six Premier League teams playing in the Champions League next year, that would be something to behold.
“He’s [Postecoglou] got that in the locker, it could certainly happen for him. Would he still stay in the job?
Spurs are in danger of breaking their unwanted record of most Premier League defeats in a single season“Manchester United won the FA Cup last year and a lot of people said that tainted really what was happening, it papered over the cracks.
“But I think if he wins that [Europa League], it gives him time, it gives him another season.
“And then if he keeps his players fit, he can impact the Premier League.
“But right now, they’re too low down in the visions for that, for a Spurs team to be really taken seriously right now.”
While Spurs have struggled this season, Frankfurt have been hugely impressive, with Dino Toppmolle’s men sitting third in the Bundesliga table.
And as their 6-2 aggregate win over Ajax in the last-16 showed, they have the firepower to trouble any side left in the Europa League.
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