Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou recently pointed out in an official press conference that there is a leaker within the team, drawing attention from fans and the media.

Postecoglou asserted at the official press conference held a day before the 32nd round away match against Wolverhampton in the 2024-2025 Premier League on the 12th (Korea time) that 'it is undeniable that someone within our team is leaking information this season.'

It is very unusual for a manager to mention the existence of a spy in a public setting, and the background of this statement lies in the unclear situation that occurred the day before. Rumors about Tottenham winger Wilston Odobert's absence rapidly circulated on social media and online communities before the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal against Eintracht Frankfurt held on the 11th. In fact, Odobert was listed on the substitution list but ultimately did not play.

Postecoglou regarded this incident as an internal information leak and expressed strong dissatisfaction. He said, 'The problem has been ongoing since last year, and while I thought it had been resolved at the time, information continues to leak even now.'

In particular, he raised strong suspicions that the leaked information is too specific, suggesting it is likely not the work of an outsider but rather of an internal figure. 'The possibility that injury-related medical information was leaked by players or agents is low. I have some idea of who it might be,' he added.

He continued, 'I have always handled medical information very carefully. Even so, it is hard to understand that such incidents keep happening from within the team,' expressing strong feelings of betrayal. He also stated, 'This issue will definitely be resolved internally, and as always, I will conclude it in the right way,' displaying a firm attitude.

Thus, Tottenham is not only facing a superficial crisis of poor performance but also experiencing a structural crisis of trust breakdown within the organization. Considering that Postecoglou directly implied internal fractures, it could be interpreted as a precursor to sweeping changes within the club beyond just simple rumors.

Meanwhile, Postecoglou showed that he still has trust in Son Heung-min. He noted, 'Son Heung-min continues to have a positive impact on our team both on and off the field,' and 'He created several opportunities in the Frankfurt match. Son Heung-min is at the center of the football philosophy we pursue.' He expressed his intention to maintain trust in Son despite criticism from fans and the media.

This stance by the manager can also be seen as a strategy to defend against criticism focused on Son Heung-min, such as declining stamina, leadership controversies, and decreased scoring ability. However, the leadership test for Postecoglou is becoming increasingly urgent with the dual challenge of resolving performance issues and internal team problems.

[OSEN]