As Tottenham Hotspur embarks on a new chapter post-Ange Postecoglou, they face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup in Udine on Thursday (AEST). The club’s owner, Daniel Levy, controversially dismissed Postecoglou after he led Spurs to their first European trophy in years, largely due to an alarming 17th place finish in the Premier League, leaving them just above the relegation zone.
Taking charge now is Thomas Frank, a well-respected Danish manager who becomes the eighth coach for Spurs in a decade. His appointment follows a tumultuous period for the club, in which they invested over $253 million in new players during the off-season, including a hefty $113.7 million on midfielder Mohammed Kudus from West Ham. However, the team faces challenges, with key player James Maddison sidelined by a serious injury and Dejan Kulusevski out for several weeks. There are hopes for new signing Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich to make a significant impact.
Mark Bosnich, a Stan Sport football expert, emphasised the importance of the Super Cup in assessing the team’s direction. He noted that while Tottenham performed well in pre-season, they were severely beaten by Bayern Munich, highlighting inconsistencies that could affect morale. Frank’s previous success with Brentford, leading them to a commendable 10th in the Premier League, reflects his capability, but fans will expect him to restore Spurs to a competitive top-eight finish after their disappointing last season.
Bosnich anticipates a shift in Tottenham’s gameplay under Frank, predicting a more pragmatic approach compared to Postecoglou’s high-intensity style. He stated that this could lead to improved league performances, with expectations for the team to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.
With Tottenham being heavy underdogs against a strong PSG side that recently triumphed 5-0 over Inter Milan in the Champions League final, fans are eager to see how the new management will navigate this pivotal match. Stan Sport will provide exclusive coverage of the match, set to kick off at 5am AEST. Overall, the club and its supporters are looking for signs of resurgence as they aim to move past last season’s struggles.