Ange Postecoglou admits Tottenham failure would be his responsibility, not because of ‘internal or ‘external factors’
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou admitted if he doesn’t succeed at the club it will not be down to “internal or external” factors but will solely be his responsibility.
Speaking live on talkSPORT on Tuesday (12 September), the Australian coach was quizzed on his targets for Spurs having made an encouraging start to his tenure that has seen him shortlisted for the Premier League Manager of the Month award for August.
Postecoglou has quickly made his mark, transforming Spurs into an attacking team and doing so with wins over Manchester United, Bournemouth and Burnley, and a draw at Brentford that sees them sit second in the table after four games ahead of their fixture against Sheffield United on Saturday [16 September].
After years of underperformance and failure since Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure, much of the blame has been laid at the door of those behind the scenes, including Daniel Levy.
But Postecoglou insisted he will shoulder all the blame if things don’t work out, saying: “If I don’t succeed, it will not be because of internal or external factors. It is all on me from now on, the responsibility is down to me. Whatever challenges exist within this football club, I’ve accepted taking them on.”
Change of tact
After just a few months in the job, Postecoglou has certainly taken on the rigours of such a demanding and difficult role like a duck to water and that has largely been down to the way he has conducted himself both on and off the touchline.
The players at his disposal have certainly responded with Spurs undergoing an encouraging and optimistic start to their Premier League campaign, playing with confidence and freedom that hasn’t been seen since the days of Pochettino.
After four games, Spurs sit second in the table with 10 points and among the league’s top scorers so far with 11 goals after their 5-2 thumping of Burnley at Turf Moor before the international break.
There’s also been a transformation in several players who looked to have had bleak futures at the club before the Australian walked through the door, not least Yves Bissouma.
This is just the beginning and, as Postecoglou points out in his interview, there is still a long way to go before he can be considered a success but his latest comments certainly point to the refreshing aura and environment that the Australian has impressively fostered at the club.
After years of uncertainty, disappointment and toxicity under Conte and Mourinho’s stewardship, Spurs seem to be turning a corner and it is very brave and admirable for Postecoglou to shoulder all of the blame if he fails as you never hear a manager come out and give such a statement.
But that’s who Postecoglou is and his honesty and straight-talking nature are what’s changed and transformed the mentality and optimism around the whole football club and certainly points to an exciting future at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium and it’s showing on the pitch already so far.
There will be bumps on the road, of course, and that was already evident in the early EFL Cup exit to Fulham before the international break, but Tottenham fans can rest assured that there are plans in place for the club to thrive and achieve sustainable success in the long term.
In other Tottenham news, Spurs have reached an agreement on personal terms for the permanent signing of one Croatian top talent.