Tottenham Hotspur’s aspirations of securing a top-four finish and a coveted Champions League spot were dashed midweek following a 0-2 loss to Manchester City.
The defeat not only ended Spurs’ European ambitions but also played a crucial role in the Premier League title race, much to the dismay of their North London rivals, Arsenal, who were hoping for a different outcome against the Citizens.
A significant segment of the Tottenham fanbase appeared to support the defeat, seeing it as a means to hinder Arsenal’s title bid.
This sentiment seemingly permeated the atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, affecting the players’ performance and leading to a performance that left manager Ange Postecoglou frustrated and disappointed.
After the game let out his frustration claiming that the there is fragility at the club from inside and outside, hinting at the lack of winning mentality within the club as well as in the fans who would rather see them lose than see their rivals win.
He also had a falling out with a Tottenham supporter sitting behind the touchline. When asked about the incident during his final press conference of the season, he revealed that his reaction was triggered by the abusive language of the fan.
Postecoglou also opened up about the experience, describing it as one of the worst in his managerial career. He revealed that he felt extreme anxiety about the potential outcome of the match against Manchester City, particularly fearing his integrity being questioned had they suffered a heavy defeat.
He said (via Football London):
“I will try to explain it this way, that is probably the worst experience I’ve had as a football manager in a game because once I realised that I got it wrong in terms of what the atmosphere was going to be like and what people felt, I got a real anxiety within me of what happens if Man City, who are the best team in the world and who were disposing teams quite easily in the lead up, four at Brighton, wherever they played they scored 15/16 goals in the last four games, what if we play as well as they can but they beat us 5-0.
“I got in cold sweats thinking about people questioning my integrity and the people I work with. Even watching the game back, there was a comment somebody mentioned to me in commentary saying ‘Tottenham are having a real go here.’
You are laughing about it, but that is 26 years of my life. If nothing else people should know about me, I love this game. I’m very principled. I would hate to think, as Manchester City could have done to us, we are on the end of a heavy defeat and people would be questioning whether I prepared the team.
And before people say that’s not going to happen, we know on social media that would have happened. 100 per cent. And I would be up here trying to defend myself.”
