Ange Postecoglou’s job hangs in the balance as Tottenham draw in Europa League quarter-final

Australia’s Ange Postecoglou will be hoping the pressure on his coaching career will ease after Tottenham’s game in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final ended in a draw.

The relentless pressure on Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou has not let up this season and the high-tension clash with Frankfurt was no exception.

In front of a packed house at the Spurs’ stadium on Thursday night (Friday morning AEST) in London’s north, the Australian coach watched on in angst on the warm British night as his team battled it out against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League’s quarter-finals.

The night ended with a draw (1-1) in the first leg and the 59-year-old coach will be hoping it will help ease the intense pressure on his highly scrutinised coaching career.

Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 quarter-final First Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt. Picture: Getty Images

In the sixth minute Frankfurt scored the first goal, with French-born 22-year-old forward Hugo Ekitike delivering the goods.

For Tottenham fans the feeling was one of disenchantment, as the Spurs home crowd fell silent and Postecoglou watched on with his arms firmly folded across his chest with the growing pressumre on him not subsiding.

But almost 20 minutes later and finally Postecoglou and his fans had something to crow about – Tottenham star and Spaniard fullback Pedro Porro scored and tens of thousands of Spurs’ supporters rose to their feet in jubilation.

In front of a packed house the German visitors might have been small in number compared to Tottenham fans but they barely drew breath in their loud chants and salutes for their beloved club, as Spurs’ fans nervously watched on.

Ange Postecoglou applauds the fans after drawing with Eintracht Frankfurt during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 quarter-final first leg match. Picture: Getty Images

And as soon as it was half time Postecoglou wasted no time scooting down the Spurs’ tunnel to address the players and give them a rev up.

For months Postecoglou – who joined Tottenham in 2023 – has copped heat in the British press, with many reporters writing scathing comment pieces about his brash manner and poor record at the club which sits 14th on the Premier League ladder and has been plagued by injuries.

Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker #07 Son Heung-Min (L) and Tottenham Hotspur's Italian defender #13 Destiny Udogie (R) close down Eintracht Frankfurt's French midfielder #19 Jean-Matteo Bahoya. Picture: AFP

With 16 defeats to their name there’s no disputing it’s been a horror season for Postecoglou and Tottenham.

Earlier in the week Postecoglou voiced his annoyance at the British press and said he had grown weary of constantly fighting a “negative” agenda against the club, and claimed that even in better moments during the season the Spurs were viewed from a “glass half-empty” perspective.

Tottenham's head coach Ange Postecoglou speaks to the players during the Europa League quarterfinals first leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt. Picture: AP

But it was 10 minutes into the second half the Spurs’ repeated close misses at goal that rose the heart rate of many anxious fans.

Postecoglou watched on with his hands firmly tucked inside his jacket pocket as he watched on from the sidelines.

And his claim that his ability of “always winning” trophies when he’s coaching his second season could come back to haunt him.

The Spurs will come up against Frankfurt again next Thursday, this time in the German city where they will be hoping they can deliver fans a much-needed victory.

Originally published as Ange Postecoglou’s job hangs in the balance as Tottenham draw in Europa League quarter-final