COMMENT: It was clear to see that Ange Postecoglou was furious after Tottenham’s missed opportunity against Manchester City. The chance to make history and get one over their rivals was dismissed, leaving the manager bristling in the aftermath.
This week, the realization hit Postecoglou hard. He has come face to face with the culture at Spurs, and it’s been a slow burn. When he was appointed, many welcomed the decision but issued a warning. Not for the club or the fans, but for Postecoglou himself. This club has a habit of letting managers down, and it seems like history is repeating itself.
However, we were wrong about the timing. Spurs have actually performed well this season, with the players responding positively to Postecoglou’s methods. There haven’t been any internal issues (yet), and considering they lost Harry Kane on deadline day, the Australian would have taken their current position at the start of the season.
But Postecoglou is not one to settle. He has high ambitions and won’t tolerate passengers. The defeat to City showcased everything that will hold him back during his tenure. He expressed his frustration, saying, “I just think the last 48 hours have revealed a fair bit to me. That’s alright. It just means I’ve got to go back to the drawing board with some things.”
This game was a huge opportunity for Spurs, their players, and their fans. Beating a title-chasing City team would have been significant for their growth as a team and for their young players. However, despite playing well, it seemed like they didn’t leave it all on the pitch. At the final whistle, James Maddison and Cristian Romero were seen laughing and joking with Pep Guardiola. This difference in mentality is what separates top teams from the rest.
The fans also played a role in this small club mentality. They seemed content with losing to City to prevent Arsenal from taking the title. Postecoglou addressed this, saying, “I can’t dictate what people do. They’re allowed to express themselves any way they want. But yeah, when we’ve got late winners in games it’s because the crowd’s helped us.”
This mentality is what Postecoglou is now facing at Tottenham. It’s the same club that sacked Mourinho right before a League Cup final and replaced him with Ryan Mason, a rookie manager. It’s the same mentality that drove Conte and Kane away. Postecoglou is a winner, and he’s not interested in being a nearly man.
Whether the boardroom understands his complaint remains to be seen. But if losing to City is seen as no big setback, then the Postecoglou era may not last long. The chairman, Daniel Levy, made the decision to sack Mourinho, and his perspective on setbacks will determine the future of the club.
In conclusion, Postecoglou’s frustration is justified. He has encountered a culture at Spurs that may hinder his ambitions. It remains to be seen if the club will address these issues and give him the support he needs to succeed.
