Ange Postecoglou: Why are Tottenham fans angry at chairman Daniel Levy?

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has faced some difficult moments in his second season in charge. These include a November loss to newly promoted Ipswich, a 3-6 home defeat to Liverpool in December, and a narrow extra-time victory over non-league side Tamworth in the FA Cup in January.

However, Tottenham's slump this season reached a new low on Sunday as they lost 1-2 to Leicester City, who had previously suffered seven consecutive defeats. After the game, the atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium became tense, with fans expressing their dissatisfaction not only with Postecoglou but also with club chairman Daniel Levy.

Following the loss to Leicester, Tottenham are 15th in the Premier League and are now winless in seven consecutive matches. Postecoglou admitted that he feels uncertain about his future. He stated, "I'm a football manager, I'm measured by results, that's the world we live in."

However, Tottenham's poor form is indeed concerning. They currently have only 24 points in the Premier League, just 8 points above the relegation zone, and even closer to bottom-placed Southampton than to league leaders Liverpool. They have won only one of their last 11 Premier League games and are winless in their last seven, their longest winless streak since 2008. The loss to Leicester was also the first time since 1912 that Tottenham have lost at home to a team that had previously suffered seven consecutive defeats.

The banners displayed by fans during the game directly expressed their dissatisfaction: "24 years, 16 managers, one trophy – it's time for a change". This suggests that changing managers may not solve Tottenham's problems, as the club has already tried managers such as Mourinho, Nuno, and Conte after Mauricio Pochettino's five-year tenure. Fans believe that club chairman and owner Levy is the root of the problem, not manager Postecoglou.

Fans criticize Levy for failing to use the wealth generated by the club's development, including building a world-class stadium, to build a competitive team. While Tottenham boasts one of the best training facilities in the country, their performances on the pitch have not matched it. Although Levy might argue that he gave Postecoglou a transfer budget of £214 million, £100 million of that came from the sale of Harry Kane. Additionally, reports suggest that Tottenham could not compete with London rivals Arsenal in terms of wages during the winter transfer window, which has also raised questions about Levy's project.

Meanwhile, Postecoglou has repeatedly called for the club to bring in new players to "help" the team, as they are currently facing an injury crisis with 10 players sidelined, which has severely impacted the team's performance this season. Protests against the club's ownership began to escalate in mid-December and became more mainstream in January. Postecoglou stated on Sunday that he has failed to "unite" the club and admitted that fans' dissatisfaction with the team's current situation is understandable.

One fan said: "We have been chanting 'Levy out' for years. We just want to see Tottenham win something, we want to see the club trying – I know we are not a big club like Liverpool or Man United, but we want to see a club that cares about the fans. It's time for a complete change at this football club. Daniel Levy is the target because we've had so many managers, directors of football and board members, and the only constant is Daniel Levy."

Despite the immense pressure on Levy's club ownership, Postecoglou is not entirely free from criticism either. The Australian coach, who replaced Conte in 2023, initially led the team to a run of exciting attacking football, achieving 8 wins and 2 draws in the first 10 league games. However, the team's form has since declined sharply, with their average points per game this season dropping from 1.74 last season to 1.04. If the unbeaten record of Postecoglou's first 10 games is excluded, the team's average points per game is only 1.25.

Tottenham currently have 24 points, 8 points above the relegation zone. While this may be enough to make fans feel they won't be relegated, there have been 11 teams in Premier League history that have been relegated after earning 24 points or more. Postecoglou will point to injuries as the bane of Tottenham's season, and the long-term absences of Van de Ven, Romero, and Udogie have indeed contributed to the team's poor form. Postecoglou has largely refused to change his tactical approach, sticking to the same style of play even without key players.

Postecoglou said: "I've been around long enough to know that people will judge us on where we are right now and in some respects that's fair enough. It's not good enough. If people want to provide context for that they can, if not, then so be it. From my perspective, I'm still very much focused on the players are giving everything they can. They did that on Thursday night and they did that today."

Postecoglou also stated: "Hopefully in the next 10 days to two weeks we should get some important players back and I think that will make a big difference to this group. It will give them the boost they need. We still have some great opportunities in the second half of the year to make an impact and I believe that will happen." When asked if he still had enough credit to continue as manager until the injured players returned, Postecoglou said: "Who knows. I'd imagine there's a fair few people who would say no. When you're a manager of a football club you can feel very vulnerable and isolated. I don't feel that. I feel that this group of players, not for me but for the club, are giving everything. I've got a really committed staff. I'm focused on that."

Postecoglou stated earlier this season that "I always win trophies in my second season," and Tottenham still have chances to win silverware this season. They have progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup and are on the verge of advancing to the Europa League knockout stages, and they also hold a 1-0 lead over Liverpool in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final next month. Postecoglou said: "I still think we can do something really special in the last three months and I think the players believe that too."

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given said on BBC's Match of the Day: "I would question Daniel Levy's thinking. Why haven't they given Postecoglou money at the start of the transfer window just to freshen things up? I think he should back him, support him, bring in one or two players in the transfer window and give him until the end of the season."

Fan comments:

Pete, Devon: "You can say about injuries but the second goal was all down to awful tactics. Playing out from the back and the gaps between the defence and midfield were shocking. Need to adapt and change."

Andrew: "The fault lies entirely with Levy - constantly hiring managers and then not getting the right players for that manager. I agree Postecoglou is not entirely blameless but with the right support he would be great. Levy only cares about the business side of things and anything else is a lie."

Toby: "Levy needs to invest in the team. No manager can do anything with their hands tied behind their back. Postecoglou's tactics are good. So many injuries haven't helped the team to be fair."

Rob, Stourbridge: "I'm a lifelong Spurs fan and watching the club slowly rot under Levy's leadership. It's become painful to watch so I'm watching The Traitors with the wife and dog."

Nick: "I'm no fan of Levy but he's not on the pitch. He doesn't pick the team. Look at the clubs above us challenging for Europe. You cannot tell me most of the players in our team today wouldn't get in the Bournemouth, Fulham, Forest teams. Postecoglou has to go!"

Caden: "I don't think you can blame Daniel Levy. He's invested the money, improved the business side and cares about the club. I think you have to blame recruitment and some terrible signings like Richarlison and Ndombele who both cost £60m. Postecoglou can only do his best with the players he has."

Ben, Farnborough: "I'm a Tottenham fan and we're definitely in a relegation battle but I still believe once people are back from injury and the squad is strengthened Postecoglou can turn it around. There's so many good young players coming through. It's not like under Mourinho or Conte. He wants to be here, he actually cares about the club. If he gets sacked, whoever comes in will still face the catastrophic injury situation. At some point Levy needs to stick with a manager."