Zinedine Zidane question, Graham Potter chance – Tottenham given Ange Postecoglou sack verdict
Tottenham Hotspur will be determined to get back to winning ways when they return to action after the international break. The Lilywhites will lock horns with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium next week as the Premier League title race builds a head of steam.
Spurs, who defeated Pep Guardiola's side in the Carabao Cup last month, head into the clash off the back of a disappointing result against Ipswich Town. The north Londoners lost 2-1; had they won, they would've climbed to third in the English top flight.
Now suddenly, Ange Postecoglou faces a somewhat uncertain future at the club. So, with that being said, journalists at football.london have argued whether or not Tottenham should sack their head coach.
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Matty Hewitt
Though Tottenham's start to the season has been indifferent, Daniel Levy should give Ange Postecoglou more time at the helm. The wins over Manchester United and Aston Villa were an example of Spurs at their best, while defeats against Palace and Ipswich were them at their very worst.
The Australian boss has a unique style of play but one that delivered Spurs European football last season and he should be given an opportunity to continue to implement those ideas. Comments last season about changing the mentality of the club were telling and sacking him at the first sign of frustration would be more revealing.
Postecoglou has won trophies wherever he's gone and there's no reason he can't do that at Spurs. Of course, they'll need a little luck along the way and injuries haven't been kind in recent weeks.
Sacking him would lead to another period of overhaul and rebuilding and Spurs are nowhere near breaking point - unlike Manchester United and Erik ten Hag who were void of ideas. Spurs may be just a point clear of the Reds, but they're also just three points off the Champions League places.
Levy must give the head coach time.
Josh Holland
Tottenham are such a difficult team to get your head around for so many reasons. After battering Aston Villa and beating Manchester City, it looked as though Postecoglou had found the perfect rhythm.
However, defeats to Crystal Palace and Ipswich, subsequently handing both teams their first wins of the season, has left Spurs lurking in mid-table with frustrations among supporters.
But no, Postecoglou shouldn't be sacked yet. Big picture, the Australian has done incredibly well and his identity is clear. Whether or not it's the right one to implement, only he knows. But there are many managers who lose their jobs over the failure to create an identity within their team, Erik ten Hag being the most recent at Manchester United.
Postecoglou has enough credit in the bank to continue. It's down to him to turn Spurs' season around over the hectic festive period. Should they be nowhere near the top four by the end of January, Daniel Levy will have a decision to make.
Amie Wilson
The short answer is no. To expand on that, I understand why some fans may be frustrated with the inconsistency on show so far this season.
Following a 4-1 win over Aston Villa with a loss against winless Ipswich is bound to frustrate supporters, but the bigger picture needs to be looked at. Overall, since his arrival at the start of last season, Postecoglou has had a positive impact at Spurs.
While they are in 10th place, ultimately, the congestion towards the top of the table means that Spurs are still only three points off the top four positions. While the result and performance against Ipswich was disappointing, it’s no good making a knee-jerk reaction from that.
If Tottenham find themselves mid-table heading into the new year, and still churning out inconsistent performances, then I think it can be looked at again. But, for now, Postecoglou has enough credit in the bank to be given a chance to turn things around.
Jake Stokes
Absolutely not. While I can understand why some supporters may be frustrated with recent results or begin to question Postecoglou, there's not a better manager on the market to lead Tottenham forward.
Would Zinedine Zidane or Xavi take the Spurs job? No. Would fans be happy with a different more conservative play style under either Massimiliano Allegri or David Moyes? No, of course not. What about Edin Terzić or Graham Potter? Possibly, but then you're going back to square one.
Ultimately, it was no secret that the former Celtic boss was brought in to spearhead a project, so he should be given ample time to do so. Postecoglou got off to an excellent start, and now as soon as he's had his first hiccup there are question marks over his future?
The 59-year-old has more than enough credit in the bank to transform Spurs' fortunes. It's hardly as if Tottenham have been that bad either! They have an identity on the pitch, and the foundations for a successful future have been laid.
I'd like to see Postecoglou continue to be backed in the upcoming transfer windows. The north Londoners have forked out hundreds of millions to help build his perfect starting line-up, yet the general squad depth still needs improving.
James Quinlan
Sacking Postecoglou now would be jumping the gun, and then some.
Take Manchester United and Erik ten Hag as comparison. He had over two years at Old Trafford and in that time failed to implement a style of play and failed to bring back the feel-good factor any club hoping to get back on top desperately needs.
Postecogou has done both of those in little over a year at Tottenham and needs time to see his project through. Where the club sit in the Premier League and Europa League tables right now is not down to anything poor they are doing, it is just indicative of how competitive the competitions are. Everything will even out and Spurs will be locked in a clearer fight for the top four in just a few months' time.
I think it was certainly overconfidence from the 59-year-old to say that he was going to win silverware this term, and that certainly hasn't helped the situation, but he deserves the backing to take this relatively young team forward into a new era.
Jack Flintham
Now Erik ten Hag has been relieved of his duties at Manchester United, it is only natural to be looking at managers who find themselves in similar positions and wondering if they are next in line for the boot. Postecoglou is one of those in a difficult position at present especially following the defeat to Ipswich.
However, where he differs from Ten Hag is that you can see a pattern of play and philosophy which Postecoglou is trying to implement at Spurs. Let's be frank, the Australian is not the only person to struggle to make meaningful progress at Tottenham in terms of winning trophies.
But at least you can see what he is trying to do. Results matter and 10th is nowhere near good enough but they are only three points behind Arsenal who occupy the final Champions League spot at present.
That's certainly not insurmountable and as such, I don't think Postecoglou should be sacked.