I asked X AI, Grok. To take the role as Sporting Director and evaluate Ange. Here is the answer:
"
Assessment of Ange Postecoglou’s Performance as Tottenham Head Coach
As Tottenham’s sporting director, I would evaluate Ange Postecoglou’s tenure based on results, playing style, player development (with specific attention to youth integration), and alignment with the club’s ambitions. The user’s point about limited youth involvement, particularly the benching of Archie Gray and Mikey Moore after senior players’ return, is factored into this analysis.
1. Results
2023/24 Season: Postecoglou’s first season was a success, achieving fifth place in the Premier League and Europa League qualification, a significant step up from the previous eighth-place finish. His early run—unbeaten in the first 10 games with 26 points—earned him three consecutive Premier League Manager of the Month awards.
2024/25 Season: The current season has been dire. Tottenham sit 14th in the Premier League (as of April 2025), with 18 losses and just one point from their last seven league games. The points percentage has plummeted to 42.7% over the last 60 matches, compared to 86.6% early in his tenure. This collapse, including four straight league losses to Chelsea, is unacceptable for a club with top-four aspirations.
2. Playing Style
Postecoglou’s high-pressing, attacking philosophy initially transformed Tottenham into an exciting team. However, it’s now criticized as overly rigid and defensively frail, especially during the injury crisis. His reluctance to adapt tactically has left the team vulnerable, with critics on X calling the style “naive” and the team’s performances “barely watchable.”
3. Youth Development and Integration
Initial Perception: Postecoglou was hired partly for his ability to develop young players, and he’s been credited with giving opportunities to talents like Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, and Brennan Johnson. His work with Johnson, who scored and won a penalty in a 3–1 win over Southampton, has been a bright spot.
User’s Critique: The user correctly notes that youth players like Gray and Moore only received significant minutes due to injuries, not as a deliberate strategy. Once senior players (e.g., defenders) returned, Gray and Moore were relegated to the bench, often without even substitute appearances. This suggests Postecoglou prioritizes established players over youth when options are available, undermining claims of a strong youth focus. For example, Moore, a highly rated academy prospect, has seen minimal action despite earlier promise, and Gray’s minutes have dried up post-injury recovery.
Analysis: This pattern raises doubts about Postecoglou’s commitment to integrating academy players consistently. While he’s given some youngsters chances, it appears opportunistic rather than strategic, which clashes with Tottenham’s long-term vision of building a squad around homegrown talent. This is a significant mark against his alignment with the club’s identity.
4. Injuries and Squad Management
Injuries to key players have been a major factor in 2024/25, with Postecoglou describing them as a challenge rather than an excuse. However, results haven’t improved significantly as players return, pointing to deeper tactical or motivational issues.
Reports of information leaks about injuries and potential sales of players like Cristian Romero and Dejan Kulusevski suggest internal discord. This indicates Postecoglou may be struggling to maintain unity and authority in the dressing room.
5. Fan and Media Pressure
Fan sentiment is increasingly negative, with posts on X demanding his sacking and accusing him of “ruining the club.” Media speculation about replacements like Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, or Edin Terzic adds pressure. Postecoglou’s frustration with media narratives and fans’ tendency to “turn gold into shit” shows he’s struggling to manage the external environment.
The toxic atmosphere risks further destabilizing the team, making a change more appealing to restore confidence.
6. Context and Expectations
Postecoglou inherited a club in turmoil after Conte’s exit and delivered a strong first season. However, his stated goal of “winning something in my second year” has not materialized, with early exits in the FA Cup and League Cup and a mid-table position. Tottenham’s expectations—top-four finishes and trophies—are far from being met, and his contract until 2027 doesn’t shield him from accountability given the current collapse.
Pros and Cons of Retaining Postecoglou
Pros
First-Season Success: His fifth-place finish showed he can deliver with the right conditions, suggesting potential for recovery.
Injury Context: The extensive injury list has limited his options, and a full squad could improve results.
Some Player Development: While youth integration is questionable, he’s had success with players like Brennan Johnson, aligning partly with Tottenham’s vision.
Stability: Sacking him risks perpetuating Tottenham’s cycle of short-term managerial changes, which has hindered long-term progress.
Cons
Dire Results: 14th place, 18 losses, and one point in seven games are indefensible for a club of Tottenham’s stature.
Limited Youth Focus: The user’s observation that young players like Gray and Moore are sidelined when seniors return undermines his reputation as a youth developer, a key reason for his hiring.
Tactical Rigidity: His inflexible, attack-heavy style has exposed defensive weaknesses, with no clear plan to address them.
Internal Issues: Leaks and potential player unrest suggest he’s losing the dressing room, a critical failure.
Fan/Media Pressure: Growing discontent creates an unsustainable environment, risking further decline.
Decision: Another Season or Replace in the Summer?
I would replace Postecoglou in the summer. The catastrophic 2024/25 season—14th place, record losses, and a collapse in form—cannot be ignored, even accounting for injuries. His tactical inflexibility and failure to adapt have exacerbated the team’s struggles. Critically, the user’s point about his limited commitment to youth integration, with players like Archie Gray and Mikey Moore benched once senior options return, undermines a core pillar of his appointment and Tottenham’s long-term vision. This, combined with signs of internal discord (leaks, player sale rumors) and mounting fan/media pressure, makes his position untenable.
Retaining him risks further stagnation, especially as the gap to top-four rivals widens. Instead, I would pursue a replacement like Andoni Iraola or Marco Silva, who have demonstrated adaptability and results in the Premier League, and back them with targeted signings in defense and midfield (e.g., players like Ansu Fati or Facundo Buonanotte, previously linked). This would provide a fresh start for 2025/26, aligning with Tottenham’s ambitions of competing for trophies and nurturing homegrown talent. To ensure a smooth transition, I’d begin discreetly exploring options now while allowing Postecoglou to finish the season, avoiding mid-season disruption.
This revised decision reflects the user’s valid critique that Postecoglou’s youth focus is overstated, strengthening the case for his replacement due to misalignment with Tottenham’s academy-driven ethos.
Spaniel
Errr Are these not the same "owners" linked with potential take over at us...which is even more intresting.
