Issues facing new Tottenham manager
Ange Postecoglou has given his first press conference since becoming Tottenham’s new manager on a four-year contract.
Postecoglou won five major trophies in two seasons at Celtic, including last season’s domestic treble, but faces a tough task to quickly turn Tottenham’s fortunes around.
Here, we take a look at the in-tray of the 57-year-old Greece-born Australian.
Resolve Harry Kane’s future
The most pressing issue awaiting Postecoglou in his first job as a Premier League head coach is the future of Harry Kane. The England captain has one year left on his contract and has been linked with a possible summer move to a host of Europe’s leading clubs, including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Postecoglou would like Kane to stay, but has not been given any assurances about his future.
He said: “What I know right now is that Harry is part of this squad and he’s looking forward to coming back to training and being amongst these players and starting to work together. I don’t think it’s my role to sit down and treat people in a manner because of their circumstances. I’m really big on treating everyone the same and Harry has already entrenched himself in the history of this football club.
“He’s a very important part. He’s one of the premier strikers in the world and I want him involved. My conversation with him will be about how we can make this club successful and I’ve got no doubts that’s what he wants as well.”
The 29-year-old striker is either all in and stays, or opts for a new challenge and generates funds to help Tottenham rebuild their squad. Whatever Kane decides, Postecoglou will need a speedy decision.
Unite the dressing room
None of Tottenham’s near 30-man first-team squad are out of contract this summer, but plenty of departures can be expected, although as things stand only Harry Winks and Lucas Moura have left the club. Postecoglou’s predecessor Antonio Conte publicly criticised his players’ team ethic and anyone lacking in that regard will have no place in the former Australia head coach’s squad.
He must quickly work out who he can trust to fully commit to his principles and methods and try to move on those he does not. Unity and spirit were the bedrock for Celtic’s success under Postecoglou and he will want to lay the same foundations at Tottenham.
Win over doubters
Postecoglou was not top choice for the majority of Tottenham’s supporters and there will be plenty of scepticism among those who had called for the return of Mauricio Pochettino, while the likes of Arne Slot, Roberto De Zerbi and Luis Enrique were also reported to be on the club’s list of targets.
The Aussie must win over the doubters and reconnect the players with a disgruntled fanbase. He did just that at Celtic where he first took charge in a toxic environment, but can his blueprint for success in the Scottish Premiership transfer to the English top flight?
Director of football key
Tottenham have been without a director of football since the resignation of Fabio Paratici in April and the club will now prioritise that key appointment in readiness for a busy summer ahead.
Feyenoord’s general manager Dennis te Kloese turned down the role and, while filling the vacancy falls under chairman Daniel Levy’s remit, Postecoglou could well be involved in the process and will definitely want to strike an instant rapport with whoever takes on the job.
The Australian has a clear philosophy for possession-based, high-energy football and the project will only work if the two parties are aligned.
Top-four challenge
European football has eluded Spurs for the first time since 2009-10 and they can ill afford to miss out for a second successive season in their bid to retain their status as a ‘big six’ club.
Postecoglou must overhaul the playing squad, galvanise a dispirited dressing room and bed in his backroom staff – what role, if any, for fans’ favourite Ryan Mason? – all in time to launch a Champions League challenge with the same brand of football that has thrilled Celtic fans for the past two years.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
