Ange Postecoglou, the Tottenham manager (59), stated that he is battling negative perceptions about the team.
Postecoglou said in a press conference held on the 9th (Korea time) ahead of the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal against Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany) on the 11th at 4 a.m. that the negative view surrounding the team persists regardless of the match results. He noted that it feels like the team is evaluated in a way that "even when we play well, we receive the evaluation that 'the glass is half empty.'"
This season, Tottenham is staying in 14th place in the Premier League. There have been ongoing injuries to key players throughout the season.
Tottenham is in a position that could narrow the gap to the relegation zone. Winning the Europa League is the only way to survive. That way, participation in the Champions League next season will also follow.
However, there are unsettling rumors circulating about Tottenham. Even if they win the Europa League, there is speculation that Postecoglou will be dismissed. He is contracted with Tottenham until June 2027.
Postecoglou sighed, saying, "There is an atmosphere that even if we win the Europa League, I will eventually be someone who leaves."
He added, "If I take this kind of thought as motivation, it actually makes things more difficult," suggesting that it would be better to not pay attention to the negative perceptions.
Postecoglou has set winning the Europa League as his goal for this season. He said, "I have lifted a trophy in every second year at the teams I've managed. I want to continue that trend."
Postecoglou led Tottenham to a 5th place finish in the league last season. After achieving back-to-back league titles and a treble with Scotland's Celtic in June 2023, he took over at Tottenham. However, Tottenham has not won a major competition since the 2008 League Cup.
Postecoglou also spoke about the situation in which Brennan Johnson lost a hat-trick opportunity to Mathys Tel in the Premier League match against Southampton on the 6th. Johnson earned a direct penalty kick in stoppage time of the second half but had to give the opportunity to 'the loan player' Tel. Although Johnson looked to the bench wanting to take the kick himself, Postecoglou did not give any instructions, which reportedly escalated tensions among the players. Tel scored a goal, allowing Tottenham to win 3-1, but there was criticism that "the manager's leadership could not be found."
Postecoglou expressed his frustration, saying, "We have now reached a point where even the good things are interpreted negatively."
He remarked, "The fight to convince people is a battle that cannot be won from the start," adding, "The important thing is that we are still in a position to make an impact."
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