Tottenham Hotspur are beginning to rediscover their rhythm under new boss Thomas Frank, but Ange Postecoglou clearly has not moved on from his time in north London.
Tottenham Hotspur parted ways with Ange Postecoglou back in the summer despite the Australian delivering a trophy following Spurs’ 17-year wait.
Performance-related issues were cited by former chairman Daniel Levy as the reason for the decision, with the club swiftly moving to secure then Brentford manager Thomas Frank.
Results in north London have since seen an uptick, while Postecoglou made a swift return to Premier League management with Nottingham Forest in September following the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo.
Ange Postecoglou slams Tottenham decision in explosive rant
Results have not exactly gone the way of the former Spurs boss, whose job is already under threat after just seven games in charge of Nottingham Forest. Forest is yet to register a win under his guidance, leading to growing questions over his suitability for the role.
Postecoglou has now gone on his most passionate rant yet about his time at Spurs, revealing his frustration over the perception surrounding his managerial record.
Speaking in a recent interview as relayed by Ben Jacobs, Ange said: “I guess from my perspective I just do not fit, not here, just in general. If you look at things through the prism that I am a failed manager who is lucky to get this job, I know you are smirking at me, but that is what has been said, then of course these first five weeks look like this guy is under pressure. But there is an alternative story.
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“I came to the Premier League two years ago and I took over at Tottenham. I was told by the chairman [Daniel Levy] that this club has to win a trophy. He said we have tried to bring winners in: Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, and it has not worked. We need something different. I was slightly offended by that because I see myself as a winner.
“I took over Spurs who finished eighth. Massive club, but no European football, and one that cannot go two years without European football. We finished fifth in my first year and every time Harry Kane scores a goal [for Bayern after leaving Spurs] I go, ‘I wish he stayed just one more year’. It would have been handy to have him after finishing fifth.
“But somehow that first year has disappeared from the record books. It was even used as a reason for me losing my job because even Tottenham decided to exclude the first ten games. Yet the first ten games here at Forest are important apparently.”
Ange Postecoglou continued: “But anyway, we finished fifth. I got them back into European football, which is where a club like Tottenham should be. Then I was in post-season meetings and was told we need a trophy because it will mean everything to the football club. That is fine.
“We win a trophy. We shed the tag of being ‘Spursy’. We get Champions League football, which brings some rewards and the opportunity to bring greater players. But all I have heard since I finished at Tottenham is that we finished 17th last year.
“So if you look at it through the prism of finishing 17th, then I am a failed manager who is lucky to get another opportunity. But again, if I have to explain why we finished 17th, it is really basic. It does not have to be too in-depth.”
Postecoglou defends Spurs record amid Forest struggles
Ange Postecoglou went on to further defend his record, clarifying that Tottenham’s late-season drop in form was due to the club prioritising the Europa League.
He continued: “Just look at the last five or six team sheets of last season to see what I prioritised [the Europa League], and who was on the bench.
“And the last game against Brighton, the players were out partying for two days, which I sanctioned because I felt they deserved to. So yes we finished 17th. But if people think that is a reflection of me and my coaching then again, I think they are looking at it through the prism of I just do not fit.
“So we get to the current space at Forest where there is a different story to tell, that maybe I am not a failed manager who was lucky to get this job and instead maybe I am a manager who, if you give him time, the story always ends the same. At all my previous clubs, it ends with me and a trophy.”