Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou recently revealed he experienced “cold sweats” over concerns that his integrity might be questioned following his side’s midweek match against Manchester City.
The champions secured a 2-0 victory over Spurs, a result that left Postecoglou reflecting on the pressure and expectations surrounding the game.
In a candid admission, the former Australia boss acknowledged he had initially dismissed suggestions that Spurs fans might actually want their own team to lose.
The reason? To prevent their north London rivals, Arsenal, from clinching the Premier League title.
However, Postecoglou soon realized the gravity of the situation and the true feelings among the Spurs faithful.
City’s victory propelled them two points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table as they approached the final day of the season.
Despite the subdued atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday, Spurs managed to put up a resilient fight against Pep Guardiola’s formidable side.
Tottenham’s efforts forced City to work hard for their win, and they could have even secured a point if not for a crucial save by Stefan Ortega from Son Heung-min late in the game.
Reflecting on the experience, Postecoglou described it as one of the worst he has endured as a football manager.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, he expressed his anxiety over the situation: “Once I realized I’d got it wrong in terms of what the atmosphere was going to be like and what people felt, I got real anxiety within me.
What happens if Man City, the best team in the world, who was disposing of teams quite easily in the lead-up, if we play as well as we can but they beat us 5-0? I got cold sweats thinking about people questioning my integrity and the people I work with.”
The tension reached a boiling point when Postecoglou had an angry exchange with a supporter behind the Tottenham bench during the match.
After the game, he reflected on the fragile foundations he had built during his first season in charge, emphasizing the need for further progress to develop a winning mentality at the club.
Despite securing a fifth-place finish and Europa League football with a result against relegated Sheffield United on Sunday, Postecoglou remains aware of the challenges ahead.
“Supporters are there to back their club and do their bit,” Postecoglou said. “They’ve certainly done their bit for us this year.
The amount of games we’ve won late at the stadium has been extraordinary and the supporters have played a big part in that.
The last game, I don’t understand. I sat here the day before and mocked the whole thing. I really didn’t believe that was the case. But if that’s how people feel? I’m not a Spurs supporter.
They are. They’re the custodians, not me.”
Postecoglou continued by offering his perspective on what it takes to be successful: “All I can say is to offer my opinion on what you need to be successful. For me, you can’t be successful if your motivations change depending on the contest.
You’ve got to want to win all the time. It wasn’t just Spurs supporters. Everyone I heard said they understand how they feel. Well, I don’t understand.
I just can’t think of anything worse than not going all in on victory every time you’re out there.”
Postecoglou’s comments underline the complex dynamics between the club, its fans, and the broader football community.
As he navigates the challenges of leading Tottenham, his commitment to instilling a consistent winning mentality remains unwavering.
The episode serves as a reminder of the intense pressures managers face and the intricate balance required to maintain integrity and ambition in the high-stakes world of professional football.
As Tottenham head into the final game of the season, the focus will be on securing their position and looking ahead to the next chapter under Postecoglou’s guidance.
The manager’s reflections on this difficult period highlight the importance of resilience, determination, and the unwavering pursuit of victory in the face of adversity.
