Disaster that looms for Tottenham even if Ange Postecoglou breaks club's trophy drought

The fate of Ange Postecoglou has seemingly already been sealed but the problems that continue to dog Spurs' attempts to climb back into the top half of the Premier League will likely not leave with their manager.

Tottenham has slumped to their worst league result in the Premier League's history, sitting 16th, just above the drop zone, with 19 defeats for the season.

The pressure has been mounting on Postecoglou for months and reports now indicate the Aussie is set to be shown the door regardless of whether or not he wins a trophy, with Spurs to meet Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Europa League semi final on Friday morning (AEST).

READ MORE: 'That's what Kane is': Biggest issue with TV star's sheds ban

READ MORE: Astonishing $1.5m call that could send NRL market into frenzy

READ MORE: Great's claim about struggling halves clouded by numbers

Postecoglou will be hoping to win the second tier European competition in what could be the last potential saving grace for him at the club - even if it appears as though his time is up regardless.

A win in Europe will not only be beneficial for Postecoglou, but also assist in mending the club's financial stress, given the prize money that comes with a title.

But even if a victory in Europe plus Champions League qualification is to be granted, this season will still likely be defined by the club's nightmare run in the Premier League.

Watch every match of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, live & exclusive on Stan Sport

There is a collective sense among Spurs fans that sacking Postecoglou will not solve the club's lingering problems, given in the space of 24 years there has been 16 managers for and just one trophy won.

Several managers who have been dismissed from their duties like Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espiritio Santo and Antonio Conte have gone on to have success with other teams.

But while some blame is always going to be placed on Postecoglou as a manager, many have turned to chairman Daniel Levy's choice to invest in junior talent over experience.

A case can be made by Levy that he has invested in developing Spurs as an organisation as he was instrumental in building a world-class stadium in north London.

The chairman also provided Postecoglou roughly $450 million to spend in the market, however, $209 million of that came from the sale of Harry Kane in 2023.

A net transfer debt of over $583 million AUD leaves a tough battle in the upcoming trade window for Postecoglou or the person appointed as his successor. 

Spurs are now facing the prospect that they will have to 'sell-to-buy' in the upcoming transfer window - a major shift for the club, considering last season they were one of the highest spenders during the transfer window in the Premier League.

Vice-captain Cristian Romero, who recognised calls from fans for the club to invest in more talent, also pointed to the board as the root of Spurs' troubles.

"The last few years, it's always the same - first, the players, then the coaching staff changes, and it's always the same people responsible," he said back in December.

"Hopefully they realise who the true responsible ones are and we move forward because it's a beautiful club that, with the structure it has, could easily be competing for the title."

Despite this, Levy has admitted that the club's latest financial results indicate Tottenham is in no position to risk or "spend money that we do not have".

The ability to explore the market is one Postecoglou has appeared to be denied, much like those who stood in the role before him.

Mauricio Pochettino held the top job at Spurs between 2014 and 2019, where he witnessed the club become the first ever team in the competition not to sign a player during the summer transfer window.

The current system at Spurs has invested heavily in young playing talent.

Just last season, 19-year-old Archie Gray was among those signed in the transfer window on a deal worth around $62 million AUD.

But with 12 experienced stars this season in and out of the club's injury ward, Postecoglou has found himself with little choice but to field an inexperienced group.

Still, it seems Postecoglou may not be the only person departing Tottenham at the end of the season.

According to UK's The Daily Telegraph, Spurs will likely need to part ways with some of their highest earners in bid to fund any further rebuilds and development at the club.

The likes of Richarlison, Yves Bissouma and Romero are among those facing the axe due to the financial state of the team.

Romero, a two-time Copa America winner and 2022 FIFA World Cup winner, has been heavily linked to make the move to Atletico Madrid in the next transfer window.

The Argentine has admitted he "would love to" play in the La Liga in the future as "it's the league (he's) missing" in his career profile.

But if he is to depart White Hart Lane, a large transfer fee would likely be revealed between Atletico and Spurs.