Ange Postecoglou is not any clown. It is a man who has received trophies in Australia, Japan and Scotland – creating a particular footballing philosophy en route – and deservedly earned a crack at managing one in all England’s nice soccer golf equipment.
To recommend in any other case was, at greatest, clumsy.
The narrative this morning seems to recommend the British media assume the Tottenham boss was improper to have his proper of reply, that it overshadows the primary focus of serving to his workforce beat Manchester United within the Europa League remaining tonight.
Nonetheless, the declare {that a} spiky retort in a press convention ought to by some means derail a squad of gamers and training workers is absurd.
Spurs skilled at San Mames late yesterday afternoon and can go into tonight’s sport as underdogs however with a document of getting not misplaced to United in any of their final six video games.
They are going to be properly ready by a supervisor who has seen and achieved most issues within the sport, in varied corners of the globe.
Postecoglou’s cheery, well-crafted responses have dried up
Postecoglou’s manner in conferences with the media has modified since he arrived in North London almost two years in the past.
His sincere, articulate musings had been initially welcomed as a break from the standard bland, media-trained solutions given by the majority of Premier League gamers and managers.
However that has given solution to the artwork of self defence as his ways have been questioned on a repeated foundation.
It is part of the media’s job to scrutinise the sport, and its protagonists. Completely truthful.
Nonetheless, when that journeys over into what could possibly be construed as a private insult is the place the road needs to be drawn.
It’s Postecoglou’s proper to face up for himself. The double requirements of an trade that’s completely satisfied to criticise and is then affronted when the recipient solutions again borders on rank hypocrisy.
It’s one other signal of the melodrama that accompanies soccer these days.
Extra information conferences, extra entry, extra questions and extra solutions. So many columns to jot down, so many radio and TV slots to fill. Again pages immediately, forgotten tomorrow because the circus strikes on to one thing else.
The extra pertinent level about Postecoglou’s retort was that it was one other indication his time at Spurs could also be coming to an finish.
He has presided over a poor season, albeit one riddled with accidents to key gamers.
The time is now. pic.twitter.com/xuvXSFdcRJ
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 21, 2025
Not adequate on the sphere
Spurs head to the Basque Nation in seventeenth place within the Premier League having collected simply 38 factors and suffered 21 defeats in 37 video games.
You possibly can argue that document shouldn’t be adequate for a membership of Tottenham’s assets and few would disagree.
And it’s for that motive the Australian will possible depart the membership and ply his commerce elsewhere subsequent season.
Catch him in a quiet second and he would possible agree it hasn’t been adequate.
However, a clown? No, mate.
