Tottenham warned of 'Erik ten Hag dilemma' as Ange Postecoglou edges closer to second season promise with Europa League success

Tottenham produced one of their best performances of the season to reach the Europa League semi-finals, keeping Postecoglou's trophy hopes alive despite their poor Premier League position. Dominic Solanke's penalty was enough to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory in Germany and set up a tie against Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt.

Postecogou has come under fire since his assertion that he always wins trophies in his second seasons at his clubs. With performances and results poor in the Premier League alongside disappointments in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, Tottenham's last chance of success this season comes in the Europa League and their progress in the competition has alleviated some of the pressure building on the Australian. However, former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher has likened the situation to that of Erik ten Hag after he won the FA Cup with Manchester United last season despite their struggles in the league. Ten Hag was eventually sacked, with Ruben Amorim taking over.

Writing for The Telegraph, Carragher said: "Now Postecoglou has to make it count. It may yet become a 'Champions League or bust' shoot-out with Ruben Amorim if it is an all English Europa League final, but there is no doubt which manager's position is most perilous. Amorim is sure to get a chance to rebuild United over the summer whatever happens. Postecoglou is still not safe.

"That will surely change if Spurs go on to win their first major trophy for 17 years. In that situation, Daniel Levy and his board will have the same massive dilemma as Manchester United when Erik ten Hag won the FA Cup a year ago.

"After Ten Hag defeated Manchester City at Wembley, the United board made an emotional rather than logical decision. They were rightly criticised. All the evidence pointed to the downturn over the previous eight months continuing.

"If Postecoglou wins the Europa League, Levy will also have to choose between his head and heart. The case for keeping Postecoglou will be more compelling because, unlike United, Spurs do not have a long history of winning big prizes."

Postecoglou was right when he claimed he wins trophies in his second seasons, having done so previously with Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F Marinos and Celtic. However, the competition in England and Europe has been tougher and his future in north London now seems to hang on Spurs' performances in the Europa League as the club seeks to end its 17-year trophy draught.

The two games against Bodo/Glimt are now hugely important for Postecoglou and Tottenham, but they still have two Premier League matches against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool to get through before that tie commences. They have lost 17 league matches this season and are trying to avoid their worst ever finish of 15th in the current iteration of the top flight.