Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou feels people are “waiting for the white smoke” to know if he will be sacked, although he believes that ending the club’s 17-year title drought would be a “turning point” in the team’s history.
Spurs will face Manchester United in the Europa League final next Wednesday, aiming to salvage a desperate season that hit rock bottom on Sunday by falling to Crystal Palace, suffering their twentieth defeat in the Premier League.
The situation of the Australian coach is uncertain, and Tottenham’s board could decide his future depending on whether or not he wins the club’s first trophy since the 2008 League Cup.
Postecoglou, who has two years left on his contract, compared the situation to the conclave, the private process by which cardinals elect the Pope, when discussing the reasons for the Spurs’ title drought.
Some things are psychological, not all, because you can’t rule out the fact that I’ve also had to change almost everything at the club in terms of playing style and squad.
Ange Postecoglou
The coach also pointed out that he did not take over a team that was constantly at the top, but one that had finished eighth the previous season and had not even qualified for Europe.
Postecoglou explained that the team has invested in young players with an eye to the future, which, according to him, is affecting the team’s current performance. The coach emphasized that the challenge is not only psychological, but involves changing many things and winning a trophy.
My opinion was that that’s what I’d be judged on. I could have been here in fifth place last year, fifth this year, maybe people wouldn’t be waiting for the white smoke to see if it’s my last year, but they’d still be saying, ‘You know, Ange, that’s great, but it’s all been done before. Until this club wins something, you haven’t had an impact.’
Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham lost the 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool and has been accused of falling short in key moments, a phenomenon described as “Spursy” by its detractors.
When you look at the historical background of this club and what has happened in the last 20 years, I feel it could be a turning point in the way the club is perceived, but also in the way it perceives itself, which I think is the most important thing.
Ange Postecoglou
Postecoglou underlined the importance of breaking that cycle, regardless of what rivals or anyone else says. The coach emphasized that the goal is to have a lasting impact on the club. He mentioned that the photos in the stadium are of Bill Nicholson and the winning team of 1984.
