Ange Postecoglou’s former assistant says sacking from Spurs was ‘very harsh’ | OneFootball

Former Liverpool and Leeds forward Harry Kewell says Tottenham sacking Ange Postecoglou was “very harsh” despite leading the club to a trophy.

Tottenham ended their 17-year wait for silverware when they beat Manchester United to win the Europa League, whilst securing qualification for the Champions League in the process.

However after a dismal Premier League campaign which saw a 17th place finish with 22 defeats, Postecoglou was dismissed by Spurs, just 16 days after the Europa League triumph.

Postecoglou’s fellow countryman Harry Kewell, who worked with the Australian on two instances, playing under the 59-year-old whilst he was Melbourne Victory manager before becoming one of his assistants during his time as Celtic manager, says his dismissal by the north Londoners was brutal despite achieving one of club’s main goals.

“It’s very harsh,” Kewell said ahead of this weekend’s Soccer Aid. “I mean the way that Spurs have demanded trophies, and it takes time for a manager to be able to implement his ideas. He delivers.

“Everyone was laughing at him when he said he delivers in his second year. Well he delivered, and sometimes that’s just not enough. I’m not going to shy away from the form that he had in the league, it wasn’t great.

“But unfortunately through the season that he had, through the injuries, he had to kind of make a decision on where was he going to go. Was it the Premier League or was it to win a trophy, and Spurs wanted the trophy, so that’s what he delivered. I think it’s a bit harsh but that’s football.

“Anyone that wants to win a trophy in their second year I’m sure they will take him!”

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank was confirmed as Postecoglou’s replacement on Thursday evening, signing on at the Lilywhites until the end of the 2027/28 season.