Spurs Blow Victory Away by Sacking Ange Postecoglou, Writes Oliver Holt: Bilbao's Magic Night Joy Fades

• Ange Postecoglou was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur on Friday afternoon
• His departure was announced just 16 days after Spurs won the Europa League
• LISTEN: Was 'Fergie Time' real? Veteran Premier League referee reveals all on the first episode of the Mail's brand-new football podcast Whistleblowers

Thus, we can never find out now if Ange Postecoglou was correct regarding his hypothesis for his third season at Tottenham Hotspur, much like the third season of an excellent TV show, would have turned out superior to his second appearance.

We may never discover if Big Ange could have produced a late-series gem similar to "Ozymandias." Breaking Bad . It turned out that an episode titled 'Bilbao' was Postecoglou's masterpiece. Since on Friday evening, Season 3 was abruptly canceled.

For just a brief period, Postecoglou reigned supreme in a small part of north London, guiding Tottenham Hotspur to their first title in 17 years as they defeated their opponents. Manchester United in the Europa League final that night in late May in the Basque Country.

What a night that was, a night when it felt as if Spurs had finally shed their cursed identity as a team of nearly men, a team that always found a way to ruin things, a team expert in self-sabotage and under-achievement.

It was a personal triumph for Postecoglou, too. As Spurs' Premier League The season swung between consecutive lows—losing 22 out of their 38 matches—he faced ridicule for being an Australian outsider struggling in a higher division. However, triumph in Spain placed him alongside Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw as the sole Tottenham managers to secure a European title.

Attending that night at San Mamés was like being part of the incredible and jubilant astonishment among fans who had endured for so long. They had finally quieted the mockery associated with 'Spursy,' stepping through a portal into a new era.

Postecoglou stated that same evening following the game, "The only way this football club would change is if we started winning titles." At that instant, it seemed possible that he could be vindicated after enduring a disastrous season where Tottenham ended up in 17th place in the league standings.

But 16 days have elapsed since then. Days of silence and doubt and rumour and counter-rumour before the statement on Friday from Daniel Levy and theSpurs board that shattered Postecoglou's hopes of being able to build on what he achieved in Bilbao. 'Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the club's greatest moments,' the statement announcing Postecoglou's departure read, 'we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph.

It's essential that we can contend across various arenas, and we think altering our strategy will provide us with the best opportunity for the upcoming season and further into the future. This has been among the most challenging choices we've had to face, and it’s neither a decision made hastily nor one reached without careful consideration.

We believe we've made the correct choice to enhance our prospects for future success, rather than an easier one. Our team consists of gifted, youthful players, and Ange has provided us with an excellent foundation to expand upon.

Discussions about the managerial transition are already widespread. Thomas Frank, known for his outstanding performance at Brentford and recognized as one of the top coaches when it comes to managing players, leads the race to succeed. There’s also talk about Andoni Iraola, currently leading Bournemouth. Some supporters hope for a comeback from ex-manager Mauricio Pochettino, who now helms the USA men's national soccer team.

It was a logical, cogent statement that took all the emotionof Bilbao out of the equation and in some ways it is easy to sympathise with the decision. After all, when Manchester United abandoned their plan to fire Erik ten Hag after he had led the club to an FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, it backfired on them spectacularly and they were lambasted for the naivety of their decision.

This seems distinct, however. Firstly, Manchester United is a club accustomed to success. Despite the challenging period they've experienced following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, the FA Cup is relatively insignificant compared to the major titles they previously contested for.

However, for Tottenham Hotspur, lifting the UEFA Europa League trophy in Bilbao was truly transformative. The atmosphere within the stadium was unlike anything I had experienced previously; it pulsed with an electric mix of redemption, rejuvenation, and optimism. This victory ought to have marked the beginning of a new era rather than serving as a conclusion.

With Postecoglou having been let go, it seems like both the momentum and the special feeling he brought have vanished. The team now find themselves open to mockery once more: they appointed a coach who secured their first European trophy in 41 years only to dismiss him later. Frankly, this situation almost gives off a bit of a Tottenham vibe.

Once more, it seems like snatching defeat from the brink of triumph. Since Postecoglou had accomplished the challenging task at hand. The win in Bilbao demonstrated that he wasn’t the fraud certain individuals portrayed him to be. If Tottenham had maintained their trust in him, securing the Europa League title would have bestowed additional clout upon Postecoglou for the upcoming campaign, along with extra finances.

United are hardly a model that one should aspire to but they did, at least, keep faith with Ruben Amorim after a league season almost as dire as Tottenham's. They believe in his plan and they are sticking with him. Spurs should have done the same with Big Ange.

Postecoglou had a plan, too. In the early months of his tenure, his team played football that was breathtaking to watch. That was derailed by injuries and it was not until last season's European adventure that Postecoglou proved he could adapt and play more pragmatically.

But he did prove that. He won a trophy to prove it. And next season he would have felt the benefits of all the hardships his side endured last season. He would have reaped the rewards of the experience he gave fine young players such as Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. He had a system, a plan. He should have been given a dividend from Spurs' participation in the Champions League to develop his ideas.

Instead, however good the manager is that Spurs appoint — and Frank, in particular, is a man who has earned a shot at managing in the Champions League — Spurs are heading back to that place they know so well called Square One with a new boss who has the unenviable task of trying to follow that success in Bilbao.

No one can predict what the future has in store for Postecoglou. Currently, much like the statue of Ozymandias mentioned by Percy Shelley, he remains a 'monumental ruin' amidst the desolation of his aspirations to build upon that single glorious evening in northern Spain.

THE STATISTICS THAT LED TO SPURS DUMPING ANGE POSTECOGLOU

17. Last season, Spurs concluded in 17th place, marking their poorest performance during the Premier League era and their lowest position in a top-tier season since the 1976-77 campaign, which was also the year of their most recent relegation.

63. Only the three teams that were relegated and Wolves let in more goals than Tottenham Hotspur did last season (63).

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