The Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Nick Reece—a proud Hellenophile, also married to a Greek- Australian, and self-declared soccer tragic—was “beside himself” following the shock sacking of Ange Postecoglou as Tottenham manager last Friday. The dismissal came just 16 days after the Greek Australian coach ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought with a UEFA Europa League victory.
Tottenham claimed their first trophy since 2008 with a scrappy 1–0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao.
In a message to Neos Kosmos, Reece called on Tottenham Hotspur F.C. “to reconsider its decision to sack coach Ange Postecoglou”—a plea unlikely to be heeded, with the club already close to appointing a new manager.
The abrupt decision has sparked outrage among Spurs fans and former players alike.
Postecoglou, the only Australian—and the only Greek—to have ever managed a Premier League team, began his football journey in Melbourne during the 1980s, both playing for and later coaching South Melbourne F.C.
“Never underestimate Ange’s determination to win, and his ability to carry teams to greatness. We have seen this time again over his career,” said Reece.
“This year Tottenham made history by winning the Europa League trophy—its first such win in 17 years.”
The Lord Mayor, echoing the sentiments of many who see the move as rash and short-sighted, added, “Don’t let Tottenham be known as the team that is allergic to silverware.”
Well, it seems that Tottenham’s allergy is in full flight.
