Exclusive: What Ange Postecoglou has now been told by Tottenham’s board after Europa League loss

TBR Football understands that Tottenham Hotspur’s hierarchy were ‘deeply concerned’ by their result against AZ Alkmaar and have told Ange Postecoglou that the result was unacceptable

Postecoglou has been under a lot of external pressure this season as many have called for the Australian to be sacked amid Tottenham’s poor run of form.

However, Tottenham have stuck by Postecoglou so far, and the message out of Tottenham has largely been that of sympathy amid Spurs’ recent injury crisis.

Unfortunately for Postecoglou, that sympathy can only go so far, and after Tottenham’s defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League this week, the pressure is amping up on the Australian.

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What Tottenham have told Ange Postecoglou after AZ Alkmaar loss

According to TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey, Tottenham have told Ange Postecoglou that this week’s result was unacceptable and there is a deep concern around this defeat.

Spurs have nothing else to play for this season other than the Europa League. The competition is the primary focus given the winner will gain entry to the Champions League – something that Tottenham will be unable to accomplish via the Premier League.

Tottenham have provided constant backing for manager Ange Postecoglou – pointing out the injuries the squad has sustained this season as a primary reason for their relatively dismal campaign.

However, as TBR Football has previously revealed – some sections of Spurs’ hierarchy have felt that a change of head coach could be required and work has been done on possible alternatives.

As we confirmed Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, Brentford’s Thomas Frank and Fulham’s Marco Silva are all names that have been discussed within the corridors of power at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and all are admired for the work they have and are currently doing.

Iraola is stalling on a new Bournemouth contract as things stand.

We can also confirm that another name appreciated by the club is Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna and we are told the one-time Spurs youth player and former coach, should not be ruled out of contention.

Spurs have been insistent that they are not looking to make a change this season, no matter what, and that remains the message coming down from club boss Daniel Levy – but TBR Football can confirm that Spurs’ 1-0 loss to AZ on Thursday has rocked the club.

TBR Football understands that whilst the club have not told Postecoglou that he will be sacked if he does not win the Europa League, they have made it clear to the Australian that their latest defeat was deemed ‘unacceptable’ by the club and sources have told us they were ‘deeply concerned’ by the result and performance.

Tottenham play host to Bournemouth this weekend before welcoming AZ to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next Thursday in what is now seen as the biggest game of the Postecoglou era.

Ange Postecoglou compared to possible replacements

Postecoglou is under pressure at Tottenham, and there is a strong case to make that Spurs should look to replace the Australian.

Postecoglou should’ve been sacked months ago in the eyes of some, and when you compare his record to his potential replacements, it’s easy to see this logic.

Indeed, despite having hundreds of millions of pounds spent on his squad, Postecoglou isn’t massively outperforming managers such as Silva, Iraola and Frank, despite the fact they manage Fulham, Bournemouth and Brentford respectively.

Postecoglou has had plenty of backing from the board too, so that excuse doesn’t quite wash either.

Postecoglou has to improve things at Tottenham if he wants to save his job, and that game against AZ Alkmaar next week could well be make or break for the Australian.