Furious manager Ange Postecoglou claimed the past 48 hours had shown Tottenham’s foundations were fragile as they lost 2-0 to Manchester City in front of their home crowd.
Postecoglou repeatedly expressed bewilderment on Monday that Spurs supporters would be happy to lose to City because of the impact it would have on the title race.
A good result for Tottenham against Josep Guardiola’s side would have given rivals Arsenal the lead in the Premier League title race ahead of Sunday’s final day.
meanwhile Spurs put in a strong performance against City, with two second-half goals from Erling Haaland giving the visitors a precious victory. After the striker’s 51st-minute opening goal, the home fans chanted “Are you watching Arsenal?”
The atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was calmer than at many other home matches, with most of the songs aimed at Arsenal, but Postecoglou did not say what caused the awkward press conference. The Australian player ended the match by admitting that an “adjustment” was needed. Lead the club to the top.
“I think we’ve learned in the last 48 hours that the foundation is pretty weak,” Postecoglou said.
“That’s just how I think it is. I think the last 48 hours have revealed quite a bit. That’s okay. It means we have to go back to square one on some things.”
When asked what that meant, Coach Postecoglou said, “Outside, inside, everywhere.” It was an interesting practice.
“That’s just my observation. I won’t tell you because it’s for me. I’m the one who has to do it.”
“You can assess for yourself what happened. Okay. I probably misread the situation as to what I think is important to be a winning team, but that No problem, that’s why I’m here.
“No, it has nothing to do with my summer plans. I have summer plans.”
Asked by a Tottenham supporter who shouted, “Are you watching Arsenal?”, Postecoglou insisted: “I’m not interested, man.” I just don’t care.
“Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I don’t care, I just want to win. I want to succeed at this football club, that’s why I was brought in.
“So I have absolutely no interest in what other people think, how they want to feel and what their priorities are. What’s important to building a winning team? I know that, and I need to focus on that.
“I can’t dictate what people do. They’re allowed to express themselves however they want. But yeah, the winners at the end of the game are the ones where the audience doesn’t like us. It’s because you helped me.
“I already know what I want to do, I just need to adjust the way I do it a little.”
Former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp was involved in the game as a TV pundit and questioned the club’s culture.
Redknapp told Sky Sports: “It hasn’t been easy to hear what’s going on and there are people who are doubting Spurs are going to win this game.
“The club had a chance to qualify for the Champions League, but people were interested in stopping Arsenal from winning the title.
“That mentality, and I agree with him (Coach Postecoglou) 100 per cent. That’s what he’s hinting at. It’s a culture that has been created at this club for a long time.
“I’ve been here. I never thought it was a winning mentality.”
