Spurs captain Son Heung-Min has joined more than half a dozen Tottenham players who have paid tribute to outgoing Australian manager Ange Postecoglou following his shock sacking.
Tottenham shocked the football world on Friday when they confirmed the club were terminating Postecoglou’s contract, just two weeks after the club won the Europa Cup.
In announcing its decision, Tottenham said that while they were “extremely grateful” their 59-year-old Greek-Australian manager secured the North London club its first trophy in 17 years, but that they could not base their decision on “emotions aligned to this triumph”, citing the team’s poor performance in the league.
The decision has angered many Spurs fans, and over the past two days, multiple players have come out with strong statements of support and appreciation for the outgoing manager.
Writing on Instagram, Captain Son Heung-min said it had been an “incredible honour” to play for Postecoglou, who he said would forever be considered a “legend” of the club.
“Gaffer. You’ve changed the trajectory of this club. You believed in yourself, and us, since day one and never wavered for a second. Even when others did,” Son said. “You knew what we were capable of all along. You did it your way. And your way brought this club the best night it’s had in decades. We will have those memories for life.”
“You trusted me with the captaincy. One of the highest honours of my career. It’s been an incredible privilege to learn from your leadership up close, I am a better player and a better person because of you.”
England International James Maddison also heaped praise on Postecoglou, crediting his “winning mentality” as the reason for the club’s Europa Cup triumph.
“Your unwavering self-belief and strong mindset is infectious and a massive reason in why you were the man to end this club’s 17-year drought for a trophy,” Maddison wrote on Instagram.
“A family man with great morals and I have honestly learnt so much from you. More than you will probably ever know.”
Other players to write messages of support to the Australian manager included fullback Pedro Porro, who thanked him for “mentoring” him and for the support he showed to the playing group.
“Thank you for everything, boss. I’ll always be grateful for the way you led us, defended us, and kept us going through all the highs and lows,” Porro said.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario described Postecoglou as a “real leader” who he knew would go on to achieve more and more success.
“You are not only a top manager, you are an incredible person to work for, a real leader, a mentor, and someone I’ll always look up to,” Vicario said.
Spurs’ Brazilian forward Richarlison thanked Postecoglou for believing in him and helping him through “one of the trickiest periods” of both his career and his life.
Netherlands international and Spurs centre-back Micky van de Ven also praised Postecoglou for always believing in the team throughout the club’s many ups and downs, while Spurs striker Dominic Solanke spoke about how they had “achieved a dream”.
Postecoglou had raised the ire of commentators late last year when he confidently declared, “I always win things in my second year”. But he delivered the goods on May 22 when Tottenham defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final.
Tottenham acknowledged the scale of the Triumph but said they had made the decision to terminate Postecoglou’s contract “following a review of performances and after significant reflection”.
“We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the Club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy… However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place,” the club said.
The club pointed to the team’s poor performance in the league, where they finished in 17th place, the club’s “worst-ever” finish since the Premier League was formed in 1992
“Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the Club’s greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph,” the club said.
“This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision.”
Postecoglou said in a statement that he would feel “forever connected” to the North London club.
“When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur my overriding emotion is one of pride,” he said in a statement after the sacking.
“The opportunity to lead one of England’s historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget.”
The Greek-born manager also paid tribute to the club’s fans and said the hardest part of exiting the franchise was leaving its supporters, admitting there are “difficult times” ahead for the team.
“And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years,” Postecoglou said.
“A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special”.
