OPINION: Spurs and Levy Need to Avoid the Management Pitfalls of Manchester United

In an unexpected turn of events, Tottenham Hotspur has finally clinched a trophy after a 17-year wait, all while navigating what may be their most dismal domestic campaign in recent memory. Club chairman Daniel Levy is left in a precarious position concerning the architect of this paradox, Ange Postecoglou.

There’s a particular irony in Spurs, the perennial underdogs of English football, securing European silverware during a season where their league performance plummeted faster than a soufflé collapsing in the oven.

And yet, here we are.

Postecoglou, known for his gravelly voice and possession-based philosophy, has led the London club to their first continental trophy since 1984, presenting Levy with both an opportunity and a conundrum.

Let’s get to the highlights – much to the delight of Spurs supporters – Tottenham has won the Europa League.

Yes, you read that correctly. In a season where their Premier League hopes fell apart quicker than a lead in a match against Chelsea, Postecoglou orchestrated a European campaign that culminated in a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the final at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao.

Tactically, the Australian’s high defensive line and complex attacking transitions finally found success against European teams.

Spurs averaged 1.87 goals per Europa League match, with Brennan Johnson netting the crucial goal in the final. The stats reveal a story of resilience and efficiency in Europe, starkly contrasting their struggles at home.

In the Premier League, Tottenham averaged 1.68 goals per game and managed just six clean sheets throughout the full 38 fixtures—their lowest tally since the 2003 and 2023 seasons, where they recorded only five.

They achieved six clean sheets across 15 European fixtures this season, including in an unremarkable final against a meek Manchester United side.

Too Little, Too Late?

Beneath the shiny trophy lies a season riddled with contradictions.

Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League—marking their lowest top-flight finish since the 1976/77 season and their lowest ever since the Premier League’s inception.

Worse than the difficult days under Christian Gross.

Even worse than the time when Ian Walker was the number one choice in goal.

Or the era when their primary attacking threat was Gary Doherty, a centre-half posing as a striker, affectionately labelled the ‘Ginger Pele’.

They conceded 65 goals, went winless in eight of their last 10 league fixtures, and failed to secure a single victory against a top-six side post-Christmas. It was an undeniable collapse by domestic standards, especially when looking back at their promising start last season.

Spurs faced significant injury troubles, particularly in defence: Postecoglou was able to present a first-choice backline—comprising Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, Micky Van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Pedro Porro—only eight times in the Premier League this season.

Yet, they lost three of those matches and won just half.

The harsh reality is that, in most other seasons in the English top-flight, Spurs would likely have faced relegation.

No Room for Sentiment

Now, Levy confronts a moment that requires unflinching clarity rather than sentimental indulgence.

Postecoglou has achieved European success, yet if Manchester United’s experience taught us anything after their surprising FA Cup final victory over City, it is that silverware can sometimes obscure deeper issues.

Erik ten Hag’s fleeting reprieve after claiming the cup merely delayed the inevitable; United’s situation worsened as structural problems remained unaddressed.

Blinded by their first meaningful success in ages, the Red Devils activated a one-year extension on the Dutchman’s contract shortly after, primarily due to fan pressure and a lack of available managerial options.

However, by October, just three months later, Ten Hag was ousted, and the club had slipped to 14th place in the Premier League with only three victories from their first nine matches.

At that point, it became nearly impossible to offload any dead weight, start a rebuild, or make genuine progress under new manager Ruben Amorim, who had reservations about joining mid-season after initially seeking to depart Sporting at the season’s conclusion.

Despite United stumbling their way to the Europa League final, Spurs would have felt confident facing them, having already bested them three times throughout the season.

A Form Anomaly

Much like Ten Hag’s FA Cup triumph, Postecoglou’s Europa League journey was thrilling but also a stark exception—an account of knockout brilliance set against a backdrop of domestic inconsistency.

His league strategies were soon figured out and routinely exploited by most sides, save for United; his defensive setup was vulnerable, and his failure to adapt against pressing teams raised alarms.

Certainly, injuries played a significant role, alongside a lack of decisive transfer activity that would address immediate needs from Levy. Nevertheless, a manager must work with the resources available, and Postecoglou should have known Levy’s tendencies before taking charge.

Awarding one fruitful month with an extended contract while risking potential disappointments down the line would be unwise.

Ange Has Won Hearts

This isn’t a call to disregard his accomplishments. Postecoglou has earned gratitude, accolades, and perhaps a statue outside the club’s museum, complete with a bronze-cast speech bubble saying “Mate.” However, extending his tenure seems too much of a gamble.

Both the club and its supporters might benefit from adopting a ruthless, rather than romantic, approach.

For if there’s one lesson football fans have absorbed from Erik ten Hag’s saga, it’s that the worst rebuilds are the ones that never commence.

Levy has the opportunity to learn from United’s miscalculation: do not allow a trophy to obscure your judgement.

Commence the next chapter now, with a manager who can build across all competitions (including the Champions League, astonishingly) rather than merely ride the highs of last season. The soufflé, regrettably, has already sunk.

‘Big Ange’ has earned his tributes. He has won the affection of Spurs fans permanently and now possesses the chance to deliver what could be the biggest mic drop in English football history, having consistently reiterated that “success comes in a second season.”

He can depart with dignity and a reputation bolstered, while Levy retains a trophy that may momentarily placate fan groups and protesters, allowing him to line his pockets with the prize money.

What Levy must do now is support the next manager during what promises to be a thrilling transfer window for the London side, as they seek to enhance a squad that, at first glance, boasts a good mix of exceptionally talented youth.

Just don’t go seeking advice from Sir Jim Ratcliffe about what steps to take next.