
'That sums up modern football, doesn't it?'
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton on Tottenham's decision to dismiss manager Ange Postecoglou:"I'm not a Tottenham fan but, from the outside, the reason Postecoglou was employed was because they wanted to win a trophy and, if they couldn't do that, they wanted to watch an entertaining team - and I think he has ticked both boxes."I am not saying it has been brilliant this season because I understand the Premier League has been a disappointment - but he has won a major European trophy and that is a huge achievement - their first trophy since the 2008 League Cup and their first European trophy since the Uefa Cup in 1984. He has done something no other manager has done there in 41 years, since Keith Burkinshaw."To get someone in who wins them silverware, then straightaway get rid of him, that sums up modern football, doesn't it? It's absolute bonkers."You only have to look at the other side of north London, where Mikel Arteta has won one trophy in five years - the FA Cup in 2020 - and he is still in a job, and Arsenal are still building."Ange has had to sell Harry Kane in the process too. In many ways, when something like this happens to a manager then I just always think he is better off out of it."He was largely ridiculed when he came out and said he always wins a trophy in his second season, but if you looked at his track record he was right. He showed a bit of belief, then he went and did what he said he would - and Tottenham fans will remember that night for a long time."Have your say on Postecoglou's departure
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Man City star shares Guardiola's message to dressing room after nightmare season
Manchester City endured a disappointing 2024-25 campaign but Pep Guardiola has told his stars that the FIFA Club World Cup is a chance for them to start putting things right Pep Guardiola has told his players they are starting afresh with the Club World Cup this summer. That has been a very clear message from the Manchester City boss who wants to leave last season's disappointments in the past and focus on getting back to the top. The Club World Cup is actually bolted onto the end of the 2024/25 calendar but that year was one of City's worst for many years as they finished the campaign empty-handed. They surrendered their Premier League title, lost the FA Cup final and had an early exit from the Champions League as well as being besieged by injuries. There is a clear determination to leave that season behind them and focus on the future which is to try and put themselves back on top of the world. City have largely ruled the Premier League since Guardiola took charge, they won the previous incarnation of the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia in 2023. This new-look competition probably does not view City as the favourites as they might have been in the recent past and that is why Guardiola is channelling his positive thought and energy on getting them back there. That has been delivered in team talks and also with nearly £300m spent in 2025 for a new-look City line-up with the likes of Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish likely to follow Kevin de Bruyne out of the exit door. City's Brazil winger Savinho, 21, who is set to face Abu Dhabi side Al Ain in their second game in the US in Atlanta in the early hours of Monday in UK time, said: 'This is very much the new season for us. Last season is over, we can't change anything about that now. We're completely focused on this one. We've got to learn from the mistakes we made last season and also forget about it a bit. 'I'm really happy that we were able to bring in four such quality reinforcements. They're training really well and integrating into a group that is really settled so that is good to see. I'm looking forward to getting onto the pitch with them.' Savinho was a bright spot in City's season as the 21-year-old joined in 2024 for £30m and his pace, goals and energy really put him on the map. The season overall was a frustrating one for City but Savinho says it was a big learning curve for him despite the setbacks. Savinho said: 'I certainly learnt a lot and I felt like I evolved a lot as the season went on. That's thanks to Pep, my team mates and the coaches as well. But I'm looking to improve even more this season. To get more goals, more assists and be able to help the team. 'I'm so happy here. We put in some marvellous work and marvellous preparation. I'm really happy to be here and my team mates, the coaches are really excited about the tournament. We put in the hard yards, we've prepared well and we're really ready for tomorrow's game.' Nico Gonzalez was one of the big January signings as he joined for £50m and was seen as a vital arrival to help plug the gap left by Rodri who missed virtually all the season with a cruciate knee ligament injury. That was a huge blow and issue for City's season but Rodri is coming back and Gonzalez says he is learning from the Spain midfielder. He said: 'He has been back a couple of months, he is an amazing player and really good in everything that can be good in a midfielder. 'I am trying to learn the most I can and I think I am starting to watch him at his best level. I am seeing things that I haven't seen in a lot of midfielders.' Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Leader Live
39 minutes ago
- Leader Live
England reach last four of European Under-21 Championship after beating Spain
The Young Lions, who next face the Netherlands, benefited from an early let-off after a VAR check resulted in an overturned penalty. Captain James McAtee opened the scoring in the 10th minute and Harvey Elliott netted his second goal of the tournament five minutes later. What a win. What a performance. OUR #YOUNGLIONS ARE INTO THE #U21EURO SEMI-FINALS! 👏 — England (@England) June 21, 2025 Javi Guerra clawed a goal back for Spain with a 39th-minute penalty, but substitute Elliot Anderson's own spot-kick in second-half stoppage time assured Lee Carsley's men of their spot in the final four. England got off to an unsteady start as Spain thought they won a penalty when Charlie Cresswell – looking like he was trying to get out of the way – was penalised with a handball by on-field referee Simone Sozza. The Italian was called to the monitor by his VAR compatriot, and England breathed a sigh of relief when the call was overturned. McAtee opened the scoring from an Alex Scott corner after a flick-on by Omari Hutchinson. Spain got a touch, but only in the direction of the alert England skipper, who turned home from close range. A big quarter-final performance from the England captain ©️🏴#U21POTM | #U21EURO — UEFA Men's Youth (@UEFAMensYouth) June 21, 2025 Elliott doubled England's advantage five minutes later, tapping in the rebound after Spain goalkeeper Alejandro Iturbe spilled a save from Jarell Quansah's long-range effort. England gifted Spain another chance from 12 yards, however, after losing the ball deep inside their own third, exacerbating the error when Quansah, who dangled a leg, caught Alberto Moleiro and Sozza immediately pointed to the spot. Guerra stepped up and halved the deficit after coolly sending James Beadle the wrong way. Some great work from Quansah and Hutchinson after the restart nearly set up Jay Stansfield, who saw his effort deflect over, shortly before Cresswell nodded a corner into the side-netting. Beadle twice denied Guerra then gathered up a Mateo Joseph effort, while England were still in search of a first shot on target since Elliott's goal with 20 minutes remaining after Morton fired just wide. Jack Hinshelwood should have extended England's lead but he mistimed a free header over the crossbar. England hit Spain, who were searching for a late equaliser, on the counter when Iturbe was punished for bringing down Jonathan Rowe inside the penalty area, which Anderson slotted home to seal victory.


Powys County Times
40 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
We deserve it so much – Harvey Elliott hails England's quarter-final victory
Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott was left speechless after his goal helped England book their place in the European Under-21 Championship semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Spain in Slovakia. The Young Lions benefited from an early let-off after a VAR check resulted in an overturned penalty before captain James McAtee netted a 10th minute opener, Elliott scored five minutes later and substitute Elliot Anderson added a penalty in second-half stoppage time. Javi Guerra's 39th-minute penalty denied a clean sheet for the defending champions, but it was nevertheless a splendid night for Lee Carsley's men, who face the Netherlands in the final four on Wednesday. What a win. What a performance. OUR #YOUNGLIONS ARE INTO THE #U21EURO SEMI-FINALS! 👏 — England (@England) June 21, 2025 'Incredible. Lost for words, I think,' said Elliott. 'I said at the start of the game it was going to be very tough, they're going to play an incredible game against us, but I thought the way the lads handled it, handled the pressure, conceding a goal and being determined to keep on going, keep on fighting, we deserve it so much. 'Now it's kind of time to celebrate, but we need to think about the semis now. Celebrate, recover, rest, go again.' Tyler Morton will miss the last-four clash through suspension after he was booked against Spain, while Napoli's Rafa Marin saw red before a post-match scuffle broke out between the sides. Elliott added: 'It was always going to happen. I think it's just passion from both teams, it's just one of them. I was trying to calm everyone down, because at the end of the day we have everything to lose. They don't if they get sent off. 'We have to focus now, we can't get too carried away, we can't lose players for the semi-final.' Manchester City midfielder McAtee was more subdued than his team-mate, adding: 'We're over the moon, but the focus is the semi-final now. We're happy about the win, but we need to switch focus.' England boss Carsley was delighted by the way his men responded after nearly conceding a penalty in the early stages of the first half. 'We talked about getting a fast start and to give the penalty away after a minute, obviously then going to VAR – the lads showed a lot of character,' Carsley said. Through to the semis! 💪 — England (@England) June 21, 2025 'I thought the first half we were so good. I was saying before the game, I think the longer we can stay in, the more fluid we will become. Some really outstanding performances and they should be proud of themselves.' England will now get some much-needed rest and a day off before turning to their semi-final tie. Carsley added: 'The big thing is this can't be our final. This can't be our highlight of the competition, there's better nights to come.'