UK media reacts to Ange Postecoglou’s sacking as some newspapers label it ‘brutal’

Ange Postecoglou’s sacking has been scolded by many across the world, with some UK newspapers calling it “brutal”.

Ange Postecoglou’s sacking has been scolded by many in the British media and some newspapers labelled it “brutal”.

Despite the Australian delivering Tottenham its first trophy in 17 years it wasn’t enough to rescue his career and UK scribes were divided over whether axing him was the right decision.

On the back page of the The Times of London on Saturday the headline read, “It used to be about glory” and said, “Tottenham brutally sack Postecoglou despite ending 17-year drought”.

The Sun’s backpage headline read: “Mate! Spurs’ trophy winner sacked”, while The Mirror’s Sport section led with the headline, “G’Bye mate, Spurs axe Aussie Ange”.

Tottenham Hotspur's Greek-Australian Head Coach Ange Postecoglou. Picture: AFP

The Sun’s chief sports writer Dave Kidd penned a column titled, “Ah, that is unfair dinkum” and said dumping Postecoglou was the wrong.

“Mate, oh mate, we’ll miss you,” he said.

“You were loyal and you were proud and yet, ultimately, that loyalty was never repaid.

“We will miss you, mate.

“And if you ever wind up on our shores again, we will welcome you with open arms”.

Former Premier League star Chris Sutton wrote in the UK’s Daily Mail that Postecoglou should not have been sacked.

Back pages of British newspaper's following Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou's sacking. Picture: Sophie Elsworth.

He told readers that Tottenham’s manager Daniel Levy, “Came to the ridiculous conclusion that Tottenham are better off without Ange Postecoglou”.

“It’s their loss. Postecoglou can leave with his head held high”.

It’s no secret Postecoglou had a combative relationship with some in the British press, just a few weeks ago a reporter called him a “clown” in a newspaper column which enraged the Aussie coach.

Back pages of British newspaper's following Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou's sacking. Picture: Sophie Elsworth.

He hit back at a press conference and told the journalist face-to-face: “I’m not a clown. I never will be, mate”.

But the Times’ sports journalist Tom Allnutt in a weekend comment piece titled, “Ange lived on the edge – failure to listen pushed him over it”, said Postecoglou’s time at Tottenham was tumultuous.

Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, celebrates with the UEFA Europa League trophy after his team's victory the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. Picture: Getty

He wrote: “History is likely to be kind to Postecoglou” but a lot of his time at the club can be, “interpreted in extremes: genius or impostor, champions or flips, historic success or resounding failure”.

In The UK Telegraph chief sports writer Oliver Brown’s column titled, “Ange Postecoglou deserved the sack – he was all hype”, was less glowing about his tenure at Tottenham and said it’s, “better to make a clean break now”.

“The bitter truth is that no Tottenham manager, even one as high-intensity in his football and compellingly grumpy in his press conference as the obstinate Ange, can expect to finish 17th in the league and survive,” Brown wrote.

Originally published as UK media reacts to Ange Postecoglou’s sacking as some newspapers label it ‘brutal’