In Focus: The tasks Ange faces as he begins Post at Spurs

Cian Cheesbrough
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Ange Postecoglou has kicked off his tenure as Tottenham boss
Ange Postecoglou has kicked off his tenure as Tottenham boss

Tottenham's new era under Ange Postecoglou has officially begun with a big rebuild already underway in North London.

After a disastrous eighth-place finish overseen by three different bosses, the Australian is tasked with re-establishing Spurs as a team capable of regularly challenging among the top four.

We look at major jobs on the former Celtic coach's to-do list during his first season in charge.

Resolve Harry Kane's future

Spurs remain adamant that star man Harry Kane is not for sale yet speculation over a summer move is not going away.

The England captain is now in the final year of his contract and Daniel Levy and Co are hoping to convince the 29-year-old his career is best-served under Postecoglou in North London.

Whether he leaves or not, they would be wise to resolve the No10's future as soon as possible to avoid another disruptive transfer saga that rumbles on until late in the window.

Continue squad revamp

Tottenham's marquee signing this summer is the capture of James Maddison from Leicester
Tottenham's marquee signing this summer is the capture of James Maddison from Leicester

Tottenham have raced out of the blocks to get a number of deals done early, including the exciting capture of Leicester and England playmaker James Maddison.

Guglielmo Vicario arrived in goal and Dejan Kulusevski has joined permanently, while a move for Manor Solomon — who impressed on loan at Fulham last season — appears imminent.

Fixing a dysfunctional defence is the next priority for Postecoglou, with a touted swoop for Micky van de Ven thought to be the first of several incomings across the Spurs back four this summer.

Clear the deadwood

The number of players who spent last season on loan is a damning reflection of Tottenham's transfer strategy in recent years and finally moving on those fringe options is vital to a fresh start.

That could mean taking a hit financially on the likes of Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Bryan Gil, Sergio Reguilon and Joe Rodon but would allow a more close-knit squad to form.

Djed Spence should get a crack under Ange but the likes of Emerson Royal, Eric Dier, Ben Davies and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg are the first-teamers from last season that could be shifted on.

Change the mentality

Tottenham endured an underwhelming 2022-23 campaign
Tottenham endured an underwhelming 2022-23 campaign

Antonio Conte's infamous rant questioning Tottenham's team ethic was perhaps the most noteworthy moment of their season — and Italian may have had a point.

It is easy to lose count of the times the North Londoners buckled under pressure last term but Postecoglou will need a committed squad if he is to implement his philosophy.

The 57-year-old dominated Scotland with a united Celtic dressing room and laying down similar foundations at Spurs would be just what the doctor ordered after years of slow decline.

Excite the fans

While trophies and a return to the Champions League remain among their desires, Tottenham fans just want to be excited by their team once again.

After their switch of philosophy sacrificed style in pursuit of trophies under Jose Mourinho and Conte backfired, Postecoglou looks set to entertain once more.

An attacking 4-3-3 appears likely and while there may be teething problems in his early days, a commitment to playing on the front foot would get the fans onside from day one.

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