Tottenham Hotspur captain son Heung-Min said that Ange Postecoglou, who was fired as a manager on Friday, had changed the process of this club by delivering their first silverware in 17 years.
Postecoglou led Tottenham to a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final last month to achieve the first European prize of the club in 41 years and to guarantee a place in the Champions League of next season.
But the 59-year-old Australian paid the prize for the worst domestic season of Tottenham since they were banned from the top flight in 1976-77.
Tottenham lost 22 of their 38 Premier League matches to end 17th in the table, above only trio Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton relegated.
Son, however, in an extensive tribute on Instagram, said that Postecoglou had transformed the club.
“Gaffer. You have changed the process of this club, “Son wrote.
“You believed in yourself, and us, since the first day and never faltered for a second. Even when others did.
“You knew where we could go all the time. You did it your way. And your way brought this club the best evening he has had in decades. We will have those memories for life.”
Son, who has fired five managers in the last six years by chairman Daniel Levy, said that he had formed a close relationship with Postecoglou during his two -year term.
“You trusted me with the captain,” said the 32-year-old Korean star.
“One of the highest awards of my career. It was an incredible privilege to learn from your leadership up close.
“I am a better player and a better person because of you.
“Ange postecoglou, you are forever a Tottenham Hotspur legend. Thanks, size.”
Tottenham was destroyed by injuries and in the last phases of the campaign that Postcoglou was aimed at fit and keeping his most important players fresh for the Europa League.
The gamble is bearing fruit, but securing the first trophy of Tottenham since the 2008 League Cup was not enough to save the former Celtic handler.
Brentford -Baas Thomas Frank, Fulham manager Marco Silva, Crystal Palace's FA Cup -winning handler Oliver Glasner and Anoni Iraola van Bournemouth are reportedly the leading candidates to replace Postecoglou.