Ange Postecoglou has described Thomas Frank’s dismissal from Tottenham Hotspur as a “justifiable decision,” expressing sympathy for Frank’s challenges while navigating an “environment of uncertainty” at the club.
Frank departed from Spurs on Wednesday following a troubling streak of performances in the Premier League, leaving the side precariously positioned just five points above the relegation zone, with only two victories in their last 17 matches.
Postecoglou, who has had his own experience with being let go by Spurs last summer before he parted ways with Nottingham Forest after a challenging 39-day winless run earlier this season, understands Frank’s predicament well.
“Having been sacked twice in the last six months, it’s a tough situation,” Postecoglou remarked during an appearance on The Overlap podcast.
“It’s clear that Frank couldn’t be the sole problem at the club, though that’s what we get evaluated on.”
“Tottenham is a peculiar club. It made a significant shift at the end of last year, not only with my appointment but also with Daniel [Levy] stepping down. This has created a climate of uncertainty.”
“There’s no assurance regarding the manager you’ll recruit or the caliber of manager that will lead to success.”
While Postecoglou acknowledged the fairness of the dismissal based on results, he also pointed out that Frank’s circumstances were challenging and questioned the rationale behind yet another managerial change at Spurs.
“What prompted such a drastic shift? What was Thomas’s mandate? What goal did the club set for him?” he queried.
“Initially, they aimed to compete on all fronts. However, the club has struggled to achieve that for a long time, especially with the most influential figure in the organization [Daniel Levy] also departing.”
“Did Thomas understand he was stepping into that situation? I can’t say. To me, it is a fair exit.”
Postecoglou elaborated on why he finds Tottenham’s situation “curious,” highlighting the lack of clear identity in the club’s objectives in recent years, particularly given the departure of star striker Harry Kane.
Following Mauricio Pochettino’s exit, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte were appointed as the next two permanent managers (prior to Postecoglou and Frank), both of whom employed styles of play quite different from Pochettino’s successful approach.
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“Looking at that list of past managers, there’s a lack of consistency in their approach and vision,” added Postecoglou.
“Moreover, I believe people have undervalued Harry Kane’s vital role during that timeframe. He’s an exceptional player. If I had Harry during the last two years, I firmly believe we would have secured Champions League qualification.”
“His absence is irreplaceable. It’s an impossible gap to fill. Considering those managers, they transitioned from Pochettino’s successful style that resonated with the club’s identity.”
“That’s why I find it perplexing to ascertain what they are attempting to construct. What exactly does Tottenham stand for?”
“Every club has its own unique character, but at Tottenham, you consistently encounter the mantra ‘To dare is to do.’ It’s omnipresent. Yet, their actions often contradict that principle.”
“What they seem to overlook is that achieving success requires taking risks, which is inherent to the identity of the club.”