According to reports, this Liverpool legend praised the Australian manager and his team for advancing to the Europa League semi-finals with a 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany.

A defeat in this match, given the team’s poor domestic performances and Postecoglou’s recent clashes with fans, would almost certainly have ended the former Celtic manager’s nearly two-year tenure in North London.

Now, Spurs face Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt in the semi-finals and are favorites to reach the final, where they could meet crisis-hit Manchester United, who staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Lyon.

At the same time last year, Manchester United was also struggling in the league, increasing pressure on Ten Hag. His position was saved by progressing in the FA Cup, and after a stunning 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the Wembley final, he signed a new contract and was reinstated as manager—though the team recorded its lowest-ever Premier League points tally that season.

But three months into the new season, with poor results continuing, Ten Hag was eventually sacked. Carragher warned that a similar fate may await Postecoglou and Tottenham, and club owner Daniel Levy must make a decisive decision.

He said: “Manchester United’s board made an emotional, not logical decision, and rightly came under criticism. All evidence suggested the downward trend over the past eight months would continue. If Postecoglou wins the Europa League, Levy must also choose between logic and emotion. The reasons to keep Postecoglou will be stronger because, unlike United, Tottenham does not have a glorious history of winning major trophies. In such circumstances, the manner of victory can also win back fan support, just as it shouldn’t have for Ten Hag, even with that hard-fought win over City. The reason Postecoglou has lasted this long is that his attacking football aligns with Tottenham’s tradition. When things were going well early in his tenure, fans fell in love with the team’s style. I think Tottenham is currently suffering from Ten Hag syndrome.”

After Dominic Solanke’s penalty secured a valuable European victory for Tottenham, Postecoglou delivered a strong response to his critics.

He said: “I’m the same manager as yesterday. If anyone thinks winning has made me a better manager, or if someone thought yesterday that I wasn’t doing a good job, they should still think the same now. It doesn’t matter, it doesn’t affect me. For me, the dressing room is always more important. Do the players believe in me? Does the staff believe in me? That’s much more important than what others might think of me. So, I’m sorry for many of you—you’ll have to put up with me a little longer. Let’s see what happens.”