Tottenham Hotspur's decision to sack Ange Postecoglou has sparked sympathy and outrage as the football world has digested the news.
Postecoglou's sacking came two weeks after he delivered Spurs their first silverware in 17 years with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final.
The 59-year-old Australian was two seasons into a four-year contract at Spurs.
England manager Thomas Tuchel, himself sacked by Chelsea a year after winning the Champions League in 2021, was among those to comment publicly on Spurs' decision.
"It just shows you that it is not only about titles, "Tuchel said.
"You can survive seasons without titles if your connection, the support and the belief and the trust between the coach and the club is strong. Then you can overcome seasons without titles.
"If there is slight disbelief, if there are concerns, if the trust is not there anymore, obviously then it is sometimes not even enough to win a trophy after so many years."
Tuchel paid tribute to Postecoglou.
"I have [the] biggest respect for him," Tuchel said.
"He's a huge character. He brought a trophy. He said he will deliver in the second year and he did.
"But this is part of the job. We are responsible for the results and we are responsible for the development of the team so, whether we like it or not, sometimes it is us who has to take the full responsibility."
There was an emotional response from one of Postecoglou's players, full-back Pedro Porro.
"Thank you for everything, boss," Porro wrote on Instagram.
"For mentoring me early on, helping me settle into the club, and trusting me out on the pitch.
"I'll always be grateful for the way you led us, defended us, and kept us going through all the highs and lows.
"Above everything, you gave us one of the greatest moments in the club's history and for that, you'll always be celebrated. Wishing you all the very best, boss."
Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario also took to Instagram to pay tribute to Postecoglou.
"Boss, I just want to say a massive thank you for everything you have done for me and for all of us," Vicario wrote.
"From that very first call, right from the beginning, you always showed so much belief in me.
"Giving me the opportunity to be part of the leadership group … those moments, and many others, will stay with me forever.
"You are not only a top manager, you are an incredible person to work for, a real leader, a mentor, and someone I'll always look up to.
"What we achieved together will stay in the history books. Wishing you nothing but success as I know you will go on to achieve more and more."
Spurs' Brazilian forward Richarlison thanked Postecoglou for the faith he showed his players.
"Mister, massive thanks for helping me out and believing in me during one of the trickiest periods of my carreer (sic) and my life," Richarlison wrote on Instagram.
"Everyone who loves the Spurs will remember that Big Ange always bags trophies in his second season.
"We've made history! Cheers and good luck on your journey! I'll always be rooting for you."
'Absolute bonkers'
Soccer pundits came out backing Postecoglou, as they criticised Spurs' decision.
Alan Shearer, the former England and Newcastle striker, posted on X: "What a stupid game football is!!!!"
Another retired England forward, Chris Sutton, told BBC Sport: "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."
Tottenham supporters went online in their droves, mainly to vent their fury at the club's decision.
One fan posted to Sky Sports: "That night in Bilbao earned Ange the right to continue it next season. Gutted."
On BBC Radio, Spurs fan Jack Teasdale from Macclesfield, said: "It just doesn't make sense to me. We wait 17 years for a trophy, we finally win a trophy in Bilbao and then we sack him and we're back to square one again. It's a shambles to be honest."
The Australia-based Spurs supporter club is also upset by the decision to end Postecoglou's tenure.
OzSpurs president Sean Bielski said Postecoglou's axing was not unexpected, but still disappointing.
"I think Ange delivered on his promise to bring joy and silverware to the club," Bielski told ABC Sport.
"I think probably, if we're honest, we probably expected it."
Bielski said he did not believe Postecoglou removal as manager would affect Spurs' supporter numbers in Australia.
"We're a pretty loyal bunch of fans. We've been through plenty of low points in our tenure," he said.
AAP/ABC
