Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is supposedly under no immediate threat of the sack, but the Spurs board could rethink their decision if the team lose a crucial knockout tie next year.
After taking the most points of any manager in their first 10 Premier League games in charge last season, the former Celtic treble winner has overseen a miserable 2024-25 domestic campaign to date.
Spurs' 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day was their fourth defeat from their last five Premier League matches, a dampening run that has left them 12th in the top-flight standings approaching the halfway point.
Tottenham came agonisingly close to qualifying for the Champions League last season, but they are already 11 points off the top four and six back from Newcastle United in the Europa League position.
However, the Lilywhites are in a respectable ninth place in the Europa League table and are just 180 minutes away from the EFL Cup final, as they prepare to face Liverpool in a two-legged semi-final in 2025.
Could Postecoglou be sacked if Spurs lose EFL Cup semi-final?
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Spurs chairman Daniel Levy committed to a long-term project when he hired Postecoglou, who is under contract until 2027, and the Daily Mail reports that there are no immediate plans to sack the Australian despite Tottenham's dismal Premier League run.
The powers-that-be have apparently stressed that performances and results must improve in the near future, though, and the EFL Cup semi-final with Liverpool could be make or break for Postecoglou.
Should Tottenham lose to Arne Slot's men over two legs, and they show no signs of a revival in the Premier League, Postecoglou's job could come under serious threat as the season hits its business end.
The 59-year-old has won 50% of his games in charge of the Lilywhites, who have been victorious in 34 of their 68 competitive matches under his wing, while drawing a further 10 and losing 24.
Spurs close out 2024 with a home Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon, where Postecoglou's team could set two unwanted firsts with defeat.
Would sacking Postecoglou be the right decision?
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Spurs fans pleading for attacking football to return to North London saw their prayers answered when Postecoglou took the reins, as the Lilywhites faithful were forced to witness their side stagnate during the latter stages of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte's ill-fated reigns.
However, as scintillating and merciless as Tottenham can be on the attacking front, their gung-ho approach under the Australian leaves room for defensive calamities - see their recent home matches against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.
If Spurs' 4-1 loss to Chelsea in 2023 - where they persisted with an aggressive approach with nine men - taught us anything, it is that Postecoglou will not compromise on his principles, but such an approach has already seen one managerial casualty this season.
Ex-Southampton boss Russell Martin was accused of failing to adapt his methods when the situation called for it and paid for it with his job, but Postecoglou has had to deal with a raft of injury problems this season; he may not even have one fit senior centre-back available against Wolves.
Sacking the 59-year-old would also have negative financial consequences for Tottenham given the length of his contract, so unless Spurs are sliding towards the relegation zone and Postecoglou still refuses to change his ways, Levy ought to stick rather than twist.
Ben Knapton
