Ange Postecoglou has launched a scathing attack on Tottenham's transfer strategy and disclosed that the club rejected a four-man wishlist he presented to them during the 2024 summer transfer window. Postecoglou, 60, was sacked from his position as head coach at Tottenham last summer after spending two years in north London. During his tenure, the Australian steered Spurs to fifth place in his debut season, before breaking the club's 17-year trophy duck by claiming the Europa League in his final campaign.
Nevertheless, Spurs opted for a change with Postecoglou being relieved of his duties and Thomas Frank arriving to succeed him following his impressive work at Brentford. The Dane has this week been dismissed himself. And Postecoglou has now declared Tottenham act as if they are "not a big club" - at least regarding wages and transfer spending - and the Greek has launched a damning critique of his former employers. He revealed he attempted to pursue Pedro Neto, Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi two years ago - none of which materialised.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Speaking on The Overlap, Postecoglou said: "At the end of my first year when we finished fifth, for me I was like, 'How do you go from fifth to challenging?' Well, we had to sign Premier League-ready players, but finishing fifth that year didn't get us Champions League, we didn't have the money so we ended up signing Dom Solanke who I really like and three teenagers (Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Wilson Odobert).
"I was looking at Pedro Neto, Mbeumo, Semenyo at the time and Marc Guehi. Because I said if we want to go from fifth to there, that is what the other big clubs were doing at that moment.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
"Those three teenagers are outstanding young players and I think that they'll be brilliant players for Tottenham, but they're not going to get you from fifth to fourth and third. But what was coming out from the club was that we are a club that can compete on all fronts."
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Postecoglou added: "I still felt like Tottenham as a club were saying we're one of the big boys but, in reality, I don't think they are, in my experience over those last two years. You see Arsenal spend £100m on Declan Rice, I don't see Tottenham doing that. Maybe now, I don't know."
Following the departure of England captain Harry Kane to German powerhouses Bayern Munich, Tottenham invested over £210million during Postecoglou's inaugural summer, with the club bringing in James Maddison, Pedro Porro, Brennan Johnson, Micky van de Ven, Dejan Kulusevski, Guglielmo Vicario, Alejo Veliz, Ashley Phillips and Manor Solomon.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
It was support that contributed to Tottenham's extraordinary start under Postecoglou's management, with Spurs perched at the top of the Premier League with 20 points after eight fixtures.
Whilst Tottenham ultimately fell away and secured fifth place, two points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa, there was genuine optimism and conviction the Australian could construct something remarkable in north London if provided with backing in his second summer.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Football transfer news and rumours plus selected offers and competitions Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Get More of Our News on Google
Set Daily Express as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.
However, having failed to qualify for Champions League football, Tottenham invested less than £80m on transfers, with Dominic Solanke their most prominent signing. Teenagers Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert were the other arrivals, though Spurs didn't lose a key first-team player, such as Kane.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Whilst Tottenham did proceed to claim the Europa League, performances and outcomes in the Premier League deteriorated considerably and resulted in them finishing in 17th, their lowest final standing since 1976/1977. That played a part in Postecoglou's departure, with then-Spurs chairman Daniel Levy believing a change was necessary.