Tottenham PR team urged to hold talks with Postecoglou amid media ‘hand grenades’
Ange Postecoglou is focused on the task at hand for Tottenham, who host Manchester United this weekend in the battle of the bottom half.
The winner of Sunday’s (16 February) on-paper big-six clash takes the coveted prize of 13th for the remainder of the week, after which Postecoglou will once again take on his post-match media duties.
In itself, that has become a regular box-office event for supporters. The Spurs boss has most recently alleged there is an “agenda” against him from certain sections of the press who do not appreciate the obstacles he is navigating through.
Tottenham must ‘have a word’ with Ange
Tottenham must intervene from a PR perspective and smooth out the abrasive edges on Postecoglou, according to Ian Darke.
The TV commentator, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, believes in the current climate of hostility towards the hierarchy from Spurs fans, the manager could do worse than to become slightly more affable in his public appearances and interviews.
Darke has accused the Australian of treating media questioning as “hand grenades”, sparking an external perception among supporters that he is “at war” with the press.
“Postecoglou has to have a little bit of a look at himself. I’m absolutely certain that as a bloke to go down the pub with, he’s a great lad and all that. But I think someone in the PR department has to have a word with him at this stage, as perception’s everything,” the broadcaster explained.
“And the perception of him on a widespread level is that he’s grumpy, at war with the media and treating questions like they’re hand grenades. Now he’s saying there’s an agenda against him, and I don’t think any of that helps him at all. Maybe he needs a bit of a makeover in that area.
“I think he has a bee in his bonnet thinking he is perceived in English football as just this big Aussie guy that doesn’t know enough to manage a club like Tottenham, but most people are actually open-minded and admire how bold he’s been to try and lead an attractive football team. The press he gets is because of his demeanour.”
Tottenham fighting for pride
Postecoglou won’t change his style. The mantra of “it’s who we are” also applies to his character, but on the other hand people often buy into it too much.
While he has been downright harsh to reporters and certain individuals this season, he is not the first, certainly won’t be the last and it is an easy stereotype for fans to run with.
While Postecoglou does need to improve in certain ways from a PR standpoint, he would have done so by now had it been something he cared particularly about.
He is a winner, he wants results, and his Spurs team are absolutely miles off it – that’s the top and bottom of it. It is causing that abrasiveness, that disconsolate demeanour and the accompanying frustration.
Manchester United’s showdown with the two being of far lesser importance than Fulham against Nottingham Forest the previous day tells you all you need to know.
Postecoglou will hope to gradually gather back many of his first-choice squad to end the season well and then, maybe, he can give a bit back should he feel the need.