Why ‘the game is about glory’ has a hollow ring at Spurs.

Before every match, the iconic slogan “the game is about glory” reverberates throughout the majestic Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as a rallying cry and the club’s motto.

The renowned Danny Blanchflower, who led Spurs to the league and FA Cup Double in 1961, said those comments. He was a dynamic individual who personified the chic persona the team wanted to project.

In the cruellest way, Ange Postecoglou, the Australian manager who guided Spurs to their first major victory in 17 years by winning the Europa League, has learnt that chairman Daniel Levy finds this message to be meaningless.

Postecoglou kept his word to win a trophy in his second season, adhering to Spurs’ well-worn motto. The bag was his prize for snatching the glory.

“Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the club’s greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned with this triumph,” Spurs said in the statement confirming Postecoglou’s resignation after two seasons.

That is, head rather than heart. Emotion and glory are acceptable, but they are not the most valuable assets at Tottenham Hotspur right now.

Spurs no longer need glory and passion, at least under Levy, despite the fact that his sole prior taste of success as chairman was winning the League Cup in 2008 while Juande Ramos was manager.

Postecoglou reflected on his work with “pride” for good reason.

He said in a statement: “The opportunity to lead one of England’s historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime.”

The momentous night in Bilbao when Manchester United was defeated in a way his detractors said was beyond his capabilities—organized, disciplined, tactically sound, and victorious—will be remembered when history recounts Postecoglou’s tenure at Spurs.

In addition to recalling a terrible Premier League season in which the Spurs finished in 17th place with 22 losses and just 11 wins, Postecoglou’s greatest legacy will be that he became just the third Spurs manager to win a European trophy, following in the footsteps of the great Keith Burkinshaw and Bill Nicholson.

Because of this, there was a compelling argument for Postecoglou to remain in his position; even the confirmation of his termination acknowledged that he had created “a great platform to build upon.”

The Europa League demonstrated that Postecoglou could do it differently, particularly as a debilitating injury list thinned out. Of course, he had shortcomings, such as his obstinate refusal to alter his high-line, high-risk style even when it was being exposed in his debut season.

Many Spurs supporters would think that Postecoglou should be fired, but others will think that his achievements merited a third season and a chance to build on the heartwarming moments that were seen in Bilbao and subsequently on the streets of Tottenham during the Europa League homecoming.

In the case against Postecoglou, the Premier League position will be “Exhibit A,” but it is a reflection of the chilly state of the game these days when winning a club’s first trophy in 17 years results in your termination.

There will be comparisons to Manchester United’s costly and disastrous choice to retain Erik ten Hag following their FA Cup victory, only to fire him in October. However, the team had also won trophies under Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal before him.

Spurs, on the other hand, were devoid of trophies until Postecoglou made a shift. Prior to the arrival of the Australian after a stellar stint at Celtic, they had no recent winning record.

Postecoglou gave Spurs the glory they previously considered their hallmark, surpassing the accomplishments of his predecessors, including Mauricio Pochettino, Mourinho, and Antonio Conte.

Alan Shearer, a former England striker and BBC commentator, expressed his opinions on X by writing: “What a stupid game football is!”

“I would love to know the thought process behind the decision to get rid of him,” Chris Sutton, a former Celtic striker, told BBC Sport. Is it stating that the Premier League’s finances are the most important factor? What counts, then, is finishing fourth or fifth in the Premier League without taking home a prize.

“If that’s what matters, it seems like they are ultimately becoming more like Arsenal under Arsene Wenger.

“But doesn’t the owner, Daniel Levy, sum himself up with money over glory?

“Nothing surprises me in football any more, so Postecoglou is better off out of it really – and maybe they can go back to being mediocre old Tottenham again now.”

Sutton went on: “It’s the essence of contemporary football, isn’t it, to bring in a player who brings them trophies and then immediately fire him? It’s completely insane.”

“We’re champions!” Levy said at the post-match celebration in Bilbao after grabbing the microphone.

We haven’t won a European Cup since 1984, so this has been a long time coming. I want to thank Ange, the entire coaching staff, and all of the players for making history tonight. You have become part of history.

“This a magnificent achievement for the club and hopefully gets us on the road we absolutely deserve to be – which is at the very top.”

It remains to be seen if they reach that goal or even come close to it, but Postecoglou, who obviously wanted to continue in command, will not be involved.

Even though Levy was enjoying the fame that Postecoglou had given him, he emphasized that passion could not influence his judgment.

Levy, who has a lengthy history of firing managers who failed to win trophies by firing the one who did, would now be under much more strain and scrutiny.

Postecoglou brought grandeur, only to discover the hard truth that Daniel Levy does not find it sufficient.

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