Ange Postecoglou has described Tottenham’s match with Manchester Metropolis on Tuesday evening as “the worst experience I’ve had as a football manager” and stated that he feared observers would query his integrity if Spurs misplaced closely.
Forward of the sport, there was an enormous deal with how a Tottenham win would give their arch-rivals Arsenal the benefit within the Premier League title race over Metropolis going into the ultimate weekend of the season.
Postecoglou scoffed at pre-match strategies Spurs supporters would moderately see their facet lose to spice up Metropolis’s probabilities of beating Arsenal to the crown. However on the evening there was a subdued ambiance on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Metropolis’s targets of their eventual 2-0 win even cheered by some Spurs followers. There have been additionally chants from the Spurs supporters, when their group had fallen behind, taunting Arsenal.
Postecoglou stated he was stunned by the strategy of the Spurs followers when the sport kicked off after which apprehensive an enormous win for Man Metropolis – who had scored 15 targets of their earlier 4 video games – might make it seem his facet had intentionally got down to injury Arsenal’s title possibilities.
“That’s probably the worst experience I’ve had as a football manager in a game,” stated Postecoglou.
“As soon as I realised I would acquired it flawed by way of what the ambiance was going to be like and what folks felt, I acquired an actual anxiousness inside me of, ‘what occurs if Man Metropolis, the very best group on the planet, who have been disposing of groups fairly simply within the lead up, what if we play in addition to we will however they beat us 5-0?’
“I acquired chilly sweats occupied with folks questioning my integrity and the folks I work with.
“Even watching the game back, there was a comment on the commentary, ‘Oh, Tottenham are having a real go here’.
“You are laughing about it however that is 26 years of my life [as a football manager]. If nothing else folks ought to know I like this recreation. I hate to suppose – as Man Metropolis might have finished to us – we’re on the top of a heavy defeat and individuals are questioning whether or not I ready the group.
“Before people say ‘that’s not going to happen’, we know on social media it would have happened, 100 per cent. And I’d have to be up here trying to defend myself. And once you start defending yourself you know what happens, you’re defending something.
“That is why I used to be animated on the evening. I did not benefit from the evening.
“I needed the boys – and credit to them – aside from everything else, their football was outstanding on the night. That was important for our football club. It would have cast aspersions on us as a football club. I don’t think anyone can say we didn’t make Man City earn that win the other night.
“It might have gone a really totally different method, simply by Man Metropolis being Man Metropolis.”
Postecoglou praised the contribution of the Spurs supporters this season however reiterated his perception that his group ought to be going out to win each recreation whatever the circumstances in the event that they need to construct the mentality to take them to titles sooner or later.
“Supporters are there to back their club and do their bit,” stated Postecoglou. “They’ve actually finished their bit for us this 12 months. The quantity of video games we have gained late on the stadium has been extraordinary and the supporters have performed an enormous half in that.
“The last game, I don’t understand. I sat here the day before and mocked the whole thing. I really didn’t believe that was the case. But if that’s how people feel… I’m not a Spurs supporter. They are. They’re the custodians, not me.
“All I can say is to supply my opinion on what it is advisable to achieve success. For me, you may’t achieve success in case your motivations change relying on the competition. You have to need to win on a regular basis.
“It wasn’t just Spurs supporters. Everyone I heard said they understand how they feel. Well I don’t understand. I just can’t think of anything worse than not going all in on victory every time you’re out there.”
What’s subsequent?
The ultimate day of the Premier League season takes place on Sunday with all video games kicking off at 4pm.
Tottenham‘s remaining fixture of the marketing campaign sees them journey to already-relegated Sheffield United.
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