Why 'the game is about glory' has a hollow ring at Spurs

The phrase "the game is about glory" resonates at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It serves as a rallying cry and mission statement for the club.

These words came from Danny Blanchflower, a legendary captain. He led Spurs to the league and FA Cup Double in 1961. His charisma embodied the stylish image the club wanted.

Ange Postecoglou, the Australian manager, brought Spurs their first trophy in 17 years. They won the Europa League under his leadership. However, he learned that this message means little to chairman Daniel Levy.

Postecoglou fulfilled his promise to win a trophy in his second season. Yet, he was sacked shortly after achieving this glory. The club's statement noted they couldn't base decisions on emotions tied to triumphs.

In other words, head over heart prevails at Tottenham these days. Glory and emotion are not enough for Spurs anymore. Levy's only previous success as chairman was winning the League Cup in 2008.

Postecoglou expressed pride in his work with Spurs. He stated it was an honor to lead such a historic club and bring back its glory.

History will remember Postecoglou’s time for defeating Manchester United in Bilbao. Critics doubted his ability to achieve such organized and disciplined victories.

However, it will also recall a poor Premier League season with a 17th-place finish. The team suffered 22 defeats and managed only 11 wins. Still, Postecoglou became only the third Spurs manager to win a European trophy.

This achievement supports arguments for keeping him as manager. Even after his dismissal, the club acknowledged he built "a great platform."

Postecoglou had flaws, including stubbornness about his high-risk strategy. But he showed adaptability during injuries while winning the Europa League.

Some fans support sacking Postecoglou; others believe he deserved another season. They want him to build on emotional moments from Bilbao and around Tottenham.

The Premier League placing is crucial evidence against him but reflects modern football's cold reality. Winning silverware after 17 years should not lead to dismissal.

Comparisons arise with Manchester United’s decision regarding Erik ten Hag last summer. They won an FA Cup but fired him months later despite prior successes under other managers.

Spurs lacked trophies until Postecoglou arrived after a successful stint at Celtic. He achieved what illustrious names like Pochettino and Mourinho could not: restoring Spurs' glory.

Alan Shearer expressed frustration on X about football's absurdity following Postecoglou's firing. Chris Sutton questioned the rationale behind letting him go, suggesting financial priorities overshadowed glory.

Sutton remarked that this decision mirrors Arsenal’s decline under Wenger if money becomes paramount over success on the pitch.

He added that hiring someone who brings silverware only to fire them highlights modern football's madness.

Levy celebrated with players after their victory in Bilbao by declaring them champions of Europe since 1984. He thanked Postecoglou for making history with this achievement.

Despite basking in this glory, Levy made an unemotional decision regarding Postecoglou’s future as manager.

Now scrutiny returns to Levy, who has consistently sacked managers without trophies—this time firing one who delivered success.

Postecoglou brought glory but learned it wasn't enough for Daniel Levy.