Ange Postecoglou should make good on his promise to ship Tottenham Hotspur silverware this season – or he runs the danger of being sacked.
That is the opinion of Arsenal legend Martin Keown, who believes the Australian’s future lies in attaining Europa League glory this time period.
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Spurs welcome German giants Eintracht Frankfurt to north London on Thursday night time for his or her quarter-final first leg tie, dwell on talkSPORT 2.
For Postecoglou, who took cost of his aspect in 2023, success in Europe’s second-tier competitors represents the one likelihood of ending the membership’s 17-year trophy drought.
In September 2024, the ex-Celtic supervisor vowed to ship a trophy this time period – insisting he ‘at all times’ wins issues in his second season at a membership.
And 7 months on, the 59-year-old is beneath large strain with Spurs languishing in 14th spot with seven Premier League video games remaining.
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With 16 top-flight defeats already, Spurs are simply three losses shy of equalling their all-time Premier League report of 19 – which they set through the 1993/94 and 2003/04 phrases.
And there’s a hazard that Postecoglou may information Tottenham to their lowest factors complete and lowest Premier League end.
A big part of the Spurs fan base have began to activate their supervisor, as proven by their travelling supporters chanting in unison, ‘You do not know what you are doing’ throughout their 1-0 away defeat at Chelsea final week.
It appeared as if Postecoglou cupped his ears to the Spurs followers following Pape Matar Sarr’s equaliser at Stamford Bridge – which was ultimately dominated out by VAR – although he has strenuously denied making the gesture.
For Keown, he’s of the view that ought to Postecoglou want to stay employed at Spurs, he should win the Europa League – which begins with overcoming Frankfurt.
Requested by talkSPORT.com about whether or not his job rests on the upcoming tie with Frankfurt, the Arsenal Invincible mentioned: “No doubt.
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“He is saying in his second season he at all times wins a trophy, he is been fairly defiant.”
Keown then acknowledged that success may rely on the provision of beginning centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, who’re lastly again to full health. Van de Ven and Romero have missed 28 and 27 matches respectively resulting from accidents this season.
The ex-England defender remarked: “He is [Postecoglou] now one after the other getting all these gamers again.
“Van de Ven was rested on the weekend [for 3-1 win over Southampton], so he is prepared, he performed 80-odd minutes the one earlier than.
“Romero is one other participant that’s actually vital, so I feel that is the place they’ve actually suffered is once they’ve misplaced their two central defenders.
“That platform for them to go and play their excessive press, however have gamers on the again to cope with it.
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“So let’s have a look at in the event that they go and do it now [win Europa League].”
With Spurs eight factors off the highest ten, it appears their solely likelihood of plying their commerce throughout the continent subsequent season lies in profitable the Europa League, which is able to ebook them a Champions League spot.
For Keown, he has claimed that ought to they win the trophy, it may result in a possible Premier League title cost, although has admitted European glory may paper over the cracks in what has been a disappointing marketing campaign to date.
He mentioned: “Remarkably, in the event that they win the Europa League, they will make it into the Champions League, which is simply unimaginable.
“We may have six Premier League groups enjoying within the Champions League subsequent 12 months, that may be one thing to behold.
“He is [Postecoglou] acquired that within the locker, it may actually occur for him. Would he nonetheless keep within the job?
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“Manchester United gained the FA Cup final 12 months and lots of people mentioned that tainted actually what was taking place, it papered over the cracks.
“However I feel if he wins that [Europa League], it offers him time, it offers him one other season.
“After which if he retains his gamers match, he can influence the Premier League.
“However proper now, they’re too low down within the visions for that, for a Spurs crew to be actually taken severely proper now.”
Whereas Spurs have struggled this season, Frankfurt have been vastly spectacular, with Dino Toppmolle’s males sitting third within the Bundesliga desk.
And as their 6-2 mixture win over Ajax within the last-16 confirmed, they’ve the firepower to bother any aspect left within the Europa League.