Ange Postecoglou’s tenure at Tottenham Hotspur was cut short after just two years, but Mark Schwarzer, a legend of the Socceroos, is optimistic that Postecoglou will return to the Premier League soon. Despite leading Tottenham to win a European trophy—making him only the third manager in the club’s history to achieve such a feat—Postecoglou was dismissed following a disappointing 17th place finish in the league.
Two months after his departure, Postecoglou has not yet secured a new managerial position, though speculation links him to clubs in Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer, including a potential reunion with former player Son Heung-Min at Los Angeles FC. Schwarzer believes Postecoglou deserves another opportunity in the Premier League, highlighting that he met the club’s expectations by bringing in European competition and silverware. “Finishing 17th wasn’t the goal, but winning Tottenham’s first trophy in over 40 years is a significant achievement,” Schwarzer noted.
Since Postecoglou, Tottenham has appointed Thomas Frank, who has begun a spending spree on new signings—contrasting with Postecoglou’s previous budget constraints. Schwarzer remarked, “What Ange achieved last season was incredible, especially with limited resources. Now, with Champions League football secured, the club is able to invest more.” Despite the new signings, Schwarzer believes the Spurs still face challenges ahead, particularly with competing for the title amidst strong teams like Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea, who are outspending them.
Looking ahead, Schwarzer contends that while Tottenham is in a better position due to last season’s success, the club will need to perform consistently to improve upon that. He doesn’t see them as serious title contenders this season, noting, “It’s going to take time” for them to reach the upper echelons of the league.
In assessing the competition, Schwarzer identified four clubs that he believes will be in contention for the Premier League title: Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal, whose performance might hinge on their actions in the transfer window. He expressed concern over Tottenham’s capacity to secure a Champions League spot against increasingly competitive teams, emphasising the significant challenge ahead for Frank and his squad.