Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou returns to Glasgow on Thursday for a Europa League Battle of Britain against Rangers in desperate need of a victory to calm speculation over his future.
Ange Postecoglou, the manager of Tottenham, is in dire need of a win to quell rumors about his future when he goes to Glasgow on Thursday for a Europa League Battle of Britain matchup against Rangers. Spurs have dropped to 11th place in the Premier League and ninth place in the Europa League after winning just once in their last seven games across all competitions, including a thrilling 4-0 thumping of English champions Manchester City. The Australian team’s Jekyll and Hyde character was well captured in 90 minutes of Sunday’s 4-3 loss to London rivals Chelsea.
In an exciting match that went back and forth, Tottenham jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but gung-ho Postecoglou refused to let the lead stand and the unbeaten Blues responded.
After his team let up two penalties, both of which were coolly converted by Cole Palmer, Postecoglou lamented their lack of discipline, but eighteen months into his reign, there has been little indication that they are growing from their errors.
Two red cards cost Postecoglou’s team a 4-1 loss over Chelsea at home last season.
In addition to that outcome, they had only won 18 of their last 43 Premier League games, and there were indications that Spurs fans were losing patience when Postecoglou and supporters got into a heated altercation in the away end during last week’s
The former Celtic manager, who led Rangers to the Scottish Premiership championship in both of his seasons in command in Glasgow, has been hindered by injuries.
After Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven had to be substituted against Chelsea, Postecoglou may only have one healthy center-back available, while goalie Guglielmo Vicario is expected to miss months due to a fractured ankle.
However, there is a chance that injuries may worsen if you play with the kind of effort Postecoglou requires, especially when you play 12 games in 43 days.
“My role now is to focus on the things I can control and keep preparing the team the best we can to keep progressing as a football team and turn our season around,” Postecoglou stated.
“I believe they are quite upset with the way our season has gone and are determined to make it better. You kind of lose the necessary discipline and composure when you’re in that state.
A pivotal week that might define Postecoglou’s rule begins with the trip to Ibrox.
Before facing Manchester United in the League Cup quarterfinal, Spurs go to Southampton, who are at the bottom of the standings, on Sunday.
Earlier in the season, Postecoglou made a bold commitment to break the team’s 16-year trophy drought this season.
Man Utd face Plzen
This season, Rangers have been erratic as well; they have performed well in Europe but poorly in the Scottish Premiership.
With 10 points from their first five games, they are in eighth place in the Europa League, 11 points behind Celtic at home, and ahead of Tottenham.
A top-24 finish is sufficient to advance to the playoff round, and only the top eight advance straight to the round of 16.
When they travel to Viktoria Plzen, Manchester United, who are now in 12th place, must also persevere.
Following consecutive losses to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, the initial enthusiasm around Ruben Amorim’s hiring as manager has faded.
The team struggles off the field, and on Sunday, sporting director Dan Ashworth left after only five months in charge.
Leading teams Lazio, Athletic Bilbao, and Eintracht Frankfurt have 13 points apiece, but they all have difficult road games this week.
On Wednesday, Frankfurt will play Lyon, Lazio will go to sixth-place Ajax, and Athletic will visit Fenerbahce.
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