Wild scenes as Tottenham, Postecoglou survive Europa League drama
Ange Postecoglou’s neck is on the chopping block, but one image from his team’s massive win on Friday shows there is a long way to go.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Ange Postecoglou was 90 minutes away from unemployment when his team walked onto Deutsche Bank Park to face Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday morning.
He walked off the pitch having sent the strongest message possible to his club’s top-brass that he is the right man to lead the club — after a 1-0 win in Germany.
Tottenham is through to the semi-finals of the Europa League after the huge result on enemy soil — following on from the 1-1 first-leg draw in London.
A first-half Dominic Solanke penalty was the difference, but the scenes of Spurs players celebrating wildly show the win means much more to the players.
Under fire amid a terrible Premier League campaign and with former the former Socceroos coach’s job hanging by a thread, Spurs put in the type of controlled performance they have lacked this campaign.
After Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike and Spurs’ Mathys Tel traded first-half chances, home goalkeeper Kaua Santos’ nasty collision in the box with James Maddison brought Solanke to the spot.
Without a goal since January, Solanke made no mistake, giving Spurs the lead in front of Frankfurt’s raucous fans.
The win will prove a stay of execution for Postecoglou, keeping alive Spurs’ chance of reaching the final in Bilbao along with the coach’s oft-maligned guarantee of winning a title in his second season at a club.
His post-match comments suggest he will not give up his job without a fight.
Postecoglou was asked if the win will silence his critics and responded: “Doubt it. My pleasure comes from seeing this group of players rewarded. They have never lost belief. Super proud of them.
“I will leave that. People like to mock and ridicule. They diminish my achievements, I will keep doing what I do.”
“We are in the final four. Semi-final of a Europe competition. We are not often there.”
The most telling sight was after the final whistle when members of the coaching staff and players were seen racing to celebrate with Postecoglou.
The former Brisbane Roar coach was in the thick of some early drama when a member of the Frankfurt coaching staff angrily entered the pitch complaining about a challenge made.
That prompted some heated scenes with Postecoglou wandering over to sort it out.
The Frankfurt assistant coach was flashed a red card.
There was also drama when Tottenham were awarded the first half penalty after the play was reviewed through the VAR.
The players’ public show of support for Postecoglou may just save his bacon.
With the club on track for their worst league finish in three decades, the Europa League was the final remaining chance for Postecoglou to make good on his promise of “always” winning trophies in his second season.
— with AFP
Originally published as Wild scenes as Tottenham, Postecoglou survive Europa League drama
Disgraced radio star’s replacement revealed
Marty Sheargold lost his job at Triple M in February after making vile remarks about the Matildas and he’s now been replaced.
Slater: Ange is no quitter, but this should be the end
Regardless of whether Tottenham can bully their way to Champions League riches, writes Robbie Slater, and even if the project isn’t finished, Ange Postecoglou’s time at Spurs should be.