Tottenham Hotspur players have been lining up to praise Ange Postecoglou following the Australian's sacking as manager on Friday.
Just over two weeks after leading Spurs to their first trophy in 17 years, the North London club announced that Postecoglou 's two-year reign was over after a disastrous Premier League campaign that saw them finish just one place outside the relegation zone.
The 1-0 win Europa League final over Manchester United in Bilbao failed to save Postecoglou following a domestic season that saw them lose 22 of their 38 matches in what was their lowest top-flight finish since being relegated in 1977.
Spurs lost 26 matches across all competitions in 2024-25, the most in a single campaign in the club's history.
Spurs said in a statement that while they were “extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution” but felt it was “in the best interests of the club for a change to take place.”
Since the news was announced, a number of Spurs players have took to social media praising the 59-year-old former Celtic and Australia national team coach, including captain Son Heung-min.
“Gaffer. You've changed the trajectory of this club,” the South Korean wrote on Instagram. “You believed in yourself, and us, since day one and never wavered for a second. Even when others did.
“You knew what we were capable of all along. You did it your way. And your way brought this club the best night it's had in decades. We will have those memories for life.
“You trusted me with the captaincy. One of the highest honours of my career. It's been an incredible privilege to learn from your leadership up close, I am a better player and a better person because of you.
“Ange Postecoglou, you are a Tottenham Hotspur legend forever. Thank you, mate.”
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, Postecoglou's first signing at the club, said: “You are not only a top manager, you are an incredible person to work for, a real leader, a mentor, and someone I'll always look up to.
“What we achieved together will stay in the history books. Wishing you nothing but success as I know you will go on to achieve more and more. Thank you, Boss.”
Dutch defender Micky van de Ven added: “Gaffer, thank you for everything! Believed in me from the first day I arrived at the club.
“Many ups and downs in the last two years but you kept believing in us and kept pushing us. Big part of the success from the club this year, and forever grateful that u made me part of it. All the best.”
Striker Dominic Solanke, signed last summer in a £65 million move from Bournemouth, said: “Thank you for bringing me to this wonderful club, thank you for bringing us a wonderful trophy.
“[I] won't ever forget the convo we had before I signed and we achieved a dream! All the best in your next adventure.
Postecoglou made a flying start to his reign by winning eight of his first 10 league game, propelling Spurs to the top of the table, although they could not maintain that momentum, eventually finishing fifth.
The following season was ravaged by injuries which meant Postecoglou was regularly without 10 players throughout a packed December and January schedule where Tottenham lost eight of their 11 league fixtures.
The Greek-born coach decided to focus all efforts on winning the Europa League which they managed, albeit in a match where Spurs managed a single shot on target, fulfilling his promise to deliver silverware in his second season.
Brennan Johnson's scruffy first-half goal was enough to beat United (who finished 15th in the Premier League) in a match devoid of quality and excitement between the two lowest-placed teams ever to contest a European final.
Postecoglou had insisted during a euphoric open-top bus parade in front of an estimated 220,000 people when he declared “season three is better than season two”, but chairman Daniel Levy had other ideas and has dismissed the man to deliver him a much-craved trophy.
“When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur my overriding emotion is one of pride,” Postecoglou said, via a statement from his agency CAA Base.
“The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime.”
He added: “And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special.
“We are forever connected. Audere est Facere. Ange.”
Brentford manager Thomas Frank is reportedly leading the way as Postecoglou's potential replacement having led the Bees to promotion in 2021 and top-flight security since.
Fellow Premier League coaches Andoni Iraola, at Bournemouth, Crystal Palace's FA Cup-winning manager Oliver Glasner and Marco Silva at Fulham are also thought to be in the running.
FIXTURES
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Brackets denote aggregate score
Tuesday:
Roma (1) v Shakhtar Donetsk (2), 11.45pm
Manchester United (0) v Sevilla (0), 11.45pm
Wednesday:
Besiktas (0) v Bayern Munich (5), 9pm
Barcelona (1) v Chelsea (1), 11.45pm
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
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- 600-seat auditorium
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
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What it means to be a conservationist
Who is Enric Sala?
Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.
What is biodiversity?
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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The specs: 2018 Audi Q5/SQ5
Price, base: Dh183,900 / Dh249,000
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder / 3.0L, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic / Eight-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,000rpm / 354hp @ 5,400rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,600rpm / 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
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- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Fight Night
FIGHT NIGHT
Four title fights:
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A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
