By Martin Graham
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has opened up about the emotional decision to dismiss manager Ange Postecoglou, just over two weeks after the club’s historic triumph in the Europa League. Spurs ended a 17-year wait for silverware with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the final held in Bilbao, but the joy of that success was not enough to outweigh a disappointing league campaign.
Postecoglou was removed from his position only 16 days after lifting the trophy, with Tottenham finishing 17th in the Premier League standings. Despite their European glory, Levy stated that the club needed to compete consistently across all competitions. Former Brentford coach Thomas Frank has since been appointed as his successor.
Reflecting on the Australian’s two-season spell, Levy said: “I’m thankful to Ange. He brought us a trophy and gave us hope. But the overall performance in the league fell short of our expectations, and that’s why we decided to move in a different direction.”
Thomas Frank, who had spent seven years in charge of Brentford, was identified as the ideal candidate to take over at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The 51-year-old from Denmark has signed a contract that runs until 2028, with both Levy and the club’s new chief executive, Vinai Venkatesham, leading the recruitment effort.
According to Venkatesham, the club carried out an in-depth review of potential candidates. “We looked at over 30 names, evaluated them using 10 key criteria, and had deep discussions with those on the shortlist,” he said. “Thomas was the clear standout.”
The club leadership highlighted Frank’s reputation for working with emerging talent and his strong communication skills. Venkatesham expressed enthusiasm about the manager’s potential to develop the current group of players, noting: “He is an exceptional mentor for younger footballers, and that’s something we’re excited about.”
Having been at the helm of Tottenham for over a quarter of a century, Levy remains committed to pushing the club forward. With Frank now in place, he views this moment as a chance to build on last season’s cup victory.
“A new head coach always brings a different perspective,” Levy said. “But we want to keep progressing and use the momentum of that recent success.”
Commenting on his own long tenure and the pressure that comes with it, Levy stated: “I’ve been here a long time and I understand the responsibility. I’m driven by the challenge and determined to see the club succeed.”
