There’s been divided reaction in the football world over Ange Postecoglou’s explosive interview, in which he said Tottenham isn’t a “big club” and offered some damning insights.
The former Spurs boss spoke as Thomas Frank joined him in the club’s massive managerial wasteland, sacked this week for sitting just five points above the Premier League’s relegation zone.
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Sacking his replacement within a season provided the perfect set-up for Postecoglou to take down the club on the podcast.
“They’ve built an unbelievable stadium, unbelievable training facilities but, when you look at their expenditure and particularly their wages structure, they’re not a big club,” Postecoglou said on an interview with the Stick to Football podcast.
“I saw that because, when we were trying to sign players, we weren’t in the market for those players.
“When you walk into Tottenham, what you see everywhere is ‘To Dare Is To Do’ (the club motto), and yet their actions are almost the antithesis of that. I think they didn’t realise that, to actually win, you’ve got to take some risks.
“I felt like Tottenham as a club were saying, ‘we’re one of the big boys’, and the reality is I don’t think they are.”
You can read more of Postecoglou’s brutal revelations here >
‘NOT A BIG CLUB’: Ange torches Spurs after successor’s sacking… and exposes infamous boss’ bizarre act
The interview was described as “absolute cinema” by Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz, who said it was “Right up there with the recent Mohamed Salah bombshell at Leeds and the Cristiano Ronaldo one a few years ago.”
“Damning revelations of his time at Spurs, but also really measured and balanced too,” he said.
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It appeared that Spurs players past and present were taking notice, too.
Eagle-eyed Spurs fans noted that among those to repost a clip from the interview, in which Postecoglou questions the ‘To Dare Is To Do’ motto, was one of the club’s star strikers, Richarlison.
Another clip from the interview seemingly caught the attention of former club stalwart Jan Vertonghen, whose account liked the post on Instagram.
Among other Spurs affiliates to react was Jamie O’Hara — though the former midfielder was less complimentary towards Postecoglou.
On Sky Sports, O’Hara was asked to react directly to certain claims made by Postecoglou.
On Spurs’ lack of ambition in the transfer market, O’Hara said he believed the former boss “has a point”, but raised other concerns.
“I agree with him in a sense, but there’s different factors as well,” he said. “Like, did those players want to come (to Spurs)?
“I think he did approach (Antoine) Semenyo … (Eberechi) Eze, we wanted Eze and he wanted to go to Arsenal.”
He added: “I get his point. Spurs is a massive football club, they do have to make some marquee signings.
“It does make me think about the hierarchy and if they are serious about taking this club to the next level. Are they serious about trying to challenge for proper trophies on a regular basis? Based on what he’s saying, it seems to me maybe it isn’t what it is.”
One of the most memorable moments of the interview was when host Gary Neville listed other former Spurs managers Antonio Conte, Jose Mourinho, Mauricio Pochettino and Frank.
“Only one won something though,” Postecoglou interrupted, referring to himself winning the Europa League last season.
O’Hara, however, took issue with Postecoglou describing the club’s attitude as being the “antithesis” of daring, calling out his record in the Premier League that saw him get sacked.
“He won a trophy but was also absolutely pathetic in the Premier League. No where near good enough,” O’Hara said.
“We can say we wrote it off that season, but it was a terrible season in terms of the bread and butter .. it was unacceptable.
“Dare Is To Do … it means nothing. I was there and that (saying) wasn’t. You’ve got to go and win … you don’t need a banner on a wall … it’s a load of rubbish.
“You go in, you get the work done and go out and perform week in, week out, and Spurs haven’t done that.”
Meanwhile, former Premier League forward Dean Ashton said he found some of Postecoglou’s calls unfair, claiming that the ‘big club’ image has been projected onto Spurs, rather than coming from within.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, he said: “I don’t feel like it’s come from the club or the supporters themselves.
“I feel like they’ve even thrown in this mix and now it’s been thrown back at them by the manager that’s left, who to me it feels like a bit of bitterness there.
“Surely he knew that’s what Tottenham were. It’s not as if that’s suddenly changed. That’s what they were, they developed players but they never went out and spent huge money on the top talent that all the clubs are going to go for.
“I think it’s a bit unfair to throw it back at them.”
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