Ange Postecoglou sack latest: ‘Big decision being made’ after Daniel Levy vow
Ange Postecoglou is under pressure to deliver a significant upturn in results at Tottenham in the coming weeks, according to the club’s former scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn, and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that results must improve before the end of the season.
However, he warned that the returning injured players may take weeks before they are back up to full fitness as we approach the season’s latter stages.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider in January that Daniel Levy was prepared to stick with Postecoglou until their significant injury issues were eased.
Now, though, he has explained that there are concerns that results may not improve before the end of the season given the time taken for players to return.
Tottenham fell to a 1-0 defeat against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League and followed up with a draw against Bournemouth, once again raising pressure on the boss.
Meanwhile, Cristian Romero made his return to the starting XI during the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, but looked shaky and lacking in fitness in the early stages.
Ange Postecoglou under pressure amid star players’ fitness updates
Brown previously warned that pressure from fans could force Levy to sack Postecoglou amid calls for the chairman to step down in recent weeks.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience working with top-level managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Ron Atkinson during Man United’s most successful period, insisted that results must improve in the coming weeks.
“It’s alright hanging your hat on getting your injured players back,” he told Football Insider.
“But there isn’t much time left in the season, we’re getting to the closing stages of it.
“These players need to play games to get back to match fitness and to top form.
“In the meantime, you saw Romero against Bournemouth, he started the game like he’d never played before, it was like he was trying to give a goal away.
“That can happen when you’re out for a long time, it’s normal, but it’s a problem.
“Just assuming that these players will come back into the side and everything will get better is a risk.
“By the time the likes of Van de Ven come back and get up to speed might be another four or five games.
“If results continue as they have been and there isn’t an improvement when these players return, the manager is going to asked serious questions.
“He’s got no other option than to put these players back in, but it’s very difficult when they’re not up to speed to get going straight away.
“They need time, but the manager doesn’t necessarily have that.
“Over the next few weeks, things are going to need to improve and they’re going to have to start winning more games.
“If not, he’ll continue to be under pressure and they’ll have a big decision to make.”
Tottenham plan summer transfers to back Postecoglou
Amid growing pressure on the future of Postecoglou at Tottenham, the club have also been making plans to strengthen their squad in the summer transfer window.
Football Insider revealed on 5 March that Tottenham want to sign a new midfielder and are planning for the arrival of a marquee signing come the end of the season.
Concerns have emerged about the consistency of Postecoglou’s current options, while Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall remain options for the future.
Meanwhile, Football Insider exclusively revealed that Spurs will hold crunch talks with Yves Bissouma, with a potential exit more likely for the Mali international.
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