Importance Score: 12 / 100 🟠
Tottenham Manager Ange Postecoglou Faces Fan Disconnect Accusations After Chelsea Defeat
Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, encountered scrutiny and accusations of a growing rift with supporters following his team’s 1-0 Premier League defeat against Chelsea on Thursday night. The Spurs boss faced pointed questions after the match and sought to minimize an incident where he gestured towards the away section at Stamford Bridge.
Frosty Exchange and Fan Gesture
Postecoglou engaged in a tense post-match interview with Sky Sports, attempting to downplay a moment in the second half when he appeared to cup his ear towards Tottenham’s travelling support.
This gesture occurred immediately after Pape Matar Sarr’s powerful strike from distance in the 69th minute. The goal, which initially seemed to equalize the score, was disallowed after a prolonged VAR review judged Sarr to have fouled Moises Caicedo in the build-up.
Fan Boos and Manager Reaction
Prior to the disallowed goal, Postecoglou had substituted Sarr for Lucas Bergvall. This substitution prompted boos from the away fans, with some also chanting, “You don’t know what you’re doing.”
Seemingly reacting to the negativity, Postecoglou turned towards the away end and cupped his ear. When questioned by Sky Sports reporter Patrick Davison about the gesture, he maintained it was misconstrued.
“Yeah, I wanted them to be happy, mate,” Postecoglou stated. “We’d just scored a cracking goal. So I wanted them to cheer – because they haven’t had a lot to cheer about.”
Substitutions and Fan Sentiment
Pressed further on whether the gesture was a direct response to the boos aimed at his substitutions, Postecoglou responded, “It’s not the first time my substitutions have been booed. If you followed my tenure, it’s not the first time. They’re allowed to boo. But I wanted them to cheer – because I thought it was a cracking goal.”
Davison then referenced Postecoglou’s earlier interview, asking, “You said in the week – in your interview with Mark Schwarzer – that you felt you’d lost a portion of the fans. Is that what we saw tonight?”
Postecoglou retorted, “I get it, Pat. You’re trying really hard. That’s fine. You’ve already decided what the outcome is.” Davison clarified, attempting to ease the tension by stating, “There’s no agenda.”
VAR Criticism Reiterated
The interview also saw Postecoglou again voice his strong disapproval of VAR.
“It’s killing the game, mate. It’s not the same game it used to be,” he declared. “We all sat on our couches last night and watched TV – I guarantee you, if Jarred Gillett was the VAR last night, we’d have got a different outcome.”
Postecoglou was referencing the previous night’s Merseyside derby where a controversial decision regarding a challenge by James Tarkowski went unpunished by VAR.
The lack of VAR intervention in that game drew widespread criticism, with the PGMOL later acknowledging that Tarkowski should have been dismissed.
Disallowed Goal and “Clear and Obvious” Debate
“You just don’t know what you’re going to get,” Postecoglou continued, still expressing frustration over Sarr’s disallowed goal. “We waited for six minutes for something that apparently the VAR thought was clear and obvious. It’s madness, mate.”
When Davison questioned if he believed the VAR decision to disallow Sarr’s goal was incorrect, Postecoglou countered, “Look, Pat, you can try and force me into a corner.”
Davison clarified, “I’m not trying to force you into anything.”
Postecoglou then asked, “Did you think last night was clear and obvious? How many minutes did it take this referee to figure out whether it was clear and obvious? In your basic knowledge of human vocabulary – ‘clear and obvious’ – what does that suggest to you?”
Davison conceded, “No, it’s maybe not clear and obvious. I do think it’s a foul [by Sarr], if I’m honest.”
Postecoglou responded, “OK. Right. Well, there you go. So the referee didn’t see it. He then needs to see it for six minutes, but you get the right outcome so you’re happy – and that’s why the game’s going the way it is. And I guess people like you will continue to be happy sitting on your couches waiting for six minutes for clear and obvious stuff. That’s fine. I don’t agree with that, but that’s fine.”
Focus on Upcoming Fixtures
Davison attempted to end the interview on a positive note, looking ahead to a Europa League fixture: “You saw enough for Thursday? Because the season hinges on that ultimately, doesn’t it?”
Postecoglou dismissed this immediate future focus, stating, “No, no. We’ve got to get Sunday first [against Southampton in the Premier League]. We’ve got to go ahead on Sunday. I think it’s important that we continue to play.”
Pundit Analysis of Fan-Manager Tension
Former Tottenham captain Jamie Redknapp, analysing the game for Sky Sports, suggested the ear-cupping gesture indicated a clear tension between Postecoglou and the Tottenham fanbase.
“He made a couple of substitutions and I don’t think it went down too well with the Tottenham fans,” Redknapp observed. “And I think when they scored, it looked like he cupped his hands to the Spurs fans as if to say, ‘Well, listen, I know better.'”
Reflecting on the post-match atmosphere, Redknapp added, “Normally, he’d be over there clapping them. There’s a disconnect between the two at the moment.”
“It’s not ideal for the manager. But he’s got some big games ahead. He’s just got to keep his head up.”
Expert Opinions on Fan Frustration
Gary Cahill, former Chelsea defender, also perceived significant strain.
“There’s certainly a frustration with the manager and the fans,” Cahill commented.
“Honestly, I have to be honest: they were dreadful today. I didn’t see a clear game plan. No shots on target by half-time. He’s got to be disappointed.”
“There’s clear friction there, you can see.”