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Published 07/04/2025 at 12:13 GMT+1

Owen Hargreaves and Rio Ferdinand were both unimpressed with the desire of managers to defend their philosophies to the extent that it prevents them winning games by adapting. The former Manchester United team-mates discussed whether a UEFA Europa League triumph would mean more to Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford, or under-fire Ange Postecoglou, with both sides struggling in the Premier League.

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Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves believes Ange Postecoglou’s philosophy is "getting in the way of winning games" at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Australian made a superb impression in north London in his debut season in the Premier League, but the campaign was wrecked by a persistent injury crisis which has not yet been fully resolved.

Postecoglou has also come under fire for not altering his approach to the game while missing key defenders, instead remaining committed to an attacking strategy.

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Many observers have suggested he should play more conservatively, but the club remain in the bottom half of the table.

The Londoners still have one chance left to win silverware as they are in the UEFA Europa League, with their first leg in the quarter-finals of the tournament coming against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday, April 10 - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Speaking on TNT Sports alongside Joleon Lescott, Joe Hart, Steve McManaman and his former United team-mate Rio Ferdinand, Hargreaves pointed out that even the best teams need to adapt to their opponents.

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He said: "We played in a good United team, won the league. But we played Barcelona in the Champions League, remember, Rio? What did we do over those two legs?

"We said, you can have the ball, we’ll hit you on the counter."

He added: "This philosophy thing is getting in the way of winning games. We had [Carlos] Tevez, [Wayne] Rooney, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Rio Ferdinand], [Nemanja] Vidic, [Edwin] van der Sar, [Paul] Scholes, everyone.

"It’s not about winning, it’s not about, ‘we got 77% possession, and we played nice football.’"

Hargreaves concluded: "Tottenham could win the Europa League if they defended well."

Ferdinand gave short shrift to the idea of managers’ philosophies, suggesting that, for some, it was an attempt to impress without building winning sides.

He said: "It’s style over substance now. It’s about who looks the man, who’s got the clipboard out, who looks like he’s putting out a team that’s tactically superior.

"When push comes to shove, you need your players to make decisions and win you games."

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Hart: 'Spurs are right at the end of their tether'

The Breakdown also discussed whether Manchester United or Spurs would benefit more from winning the tournament. Both teams have only dignity to play for in their remaining league games, but winning the Europa League would earn them a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

Lescott suggested that with Ruben Amorim relatively safe at United after he came to the club already in trouble in November, it is Postecoglou and Tottenham who would be more positively affected by a Europa League triumph.

He explained: "Who would need it more? I would say Spurs. Nothing changes at United if they don’t win. Spurs, their manager is changing, potentially. At this stage, bigger things happen if [Spurs win]."

Hart concurred, saying: "I think Spurs are right at the end of their tether if they don’t produce in this competition."

McManaman believes Postecoglou put himself in a tough position when he said at the start of the campaign that he traditionally wins silverware in his second season.

"Ange saying he lifts trophies in his second season," the former Liverpool man began. "That’s like a millstone around his neck.

"The media will never let him forget that. So if it doesn’t happen, there will be wholesale changes at Tottenham. You don’t want it to happen, but that’s what will happen. You can feel it."

Watch Premier League, Champions League and Europa League football on TNT Sports and discovery+

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After Manchester City and Newcastle United won on Wednesday to overtake them, Chelsea are looking to reclaim fourth place with victory here.

The Blues will be aiming to get back on track, having seen a four-match winning streak ended by a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal before the international break.

As for Tottenham, they are down in 14th place, and seeking to reduce their 10-point deficit to the top half of the table.

Ange Postecoglou has come under pressure recently, but a win at Stamford Bridge would certainly ease that.

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Ange Postecoglou 'not disrespected' by Mauricio Pochettino Tottenham return comments - 'Hope it happens for him'

Published 02/04/2025 at 16:50 GMT+1

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has made it clear that he does not feel disrespected by Mauricio Pochettino's desire to return to the club in the future, after comments the former Spurs boss made recently. Pressure is mounting on Postecoglou as the club languish in 14th in the Premier League table, with the UEFA Europa League the only trophy left on the table for the Australian.

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Ange Postecoglou hopes that Mauricio Pochettino returns to Tottenham Hotspur one day, insisting he does not "feel disrespected" by the Argentinian’s comments.

Pochettino, who is now in charge of the United States men's national team, managed Spurs from 2014 to 2019 and last month stated his desire to return in the future.

He led the club to the UEFA Champions League final in 2019 and, after spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, he took over the USMNT in September 2024.

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Pochettino's comments came as the pressure on Postecoglou continues to mount, with Spurs sitting in 14th in the Premier League and his future in north London seeming uncertain.

When asked about the comments, the Australian said: "Mauricio, if he wants to come back one day, I hope it happens for him.

"We all have dreams and aspirations, and if that's what he wants, you're suggesting that he's trying to put pressure on me?

"Well, I don't feel disrespected. I think if you ask Mauricio that question directly, you'd get a pretty clear answer as to what his intent was.

"Again, nothing from me to be consumed with. I'm more focused on trying to make sure we win tomorrow night (against Chelsea in the Premier League)."

Postecoglou’s appointment in June 2023 made him the fourth manager to take charge of the club since Pochettino’s sacking in November 2019, following Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte.

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Pochettino is on a two-year deal with the USMNT that takes him through to next year’s World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Postecoglou has one year remaining on his contract from this summer, with an option for the club to extend it by another season.

His future at the club is hanging in the balance, with a UEFA Europa League trophy seen in some quarters as the only remaining feat that could save his job.

"I don't deal with it, mate," he said in response to the speculation around his future.

"I know what my responsibilities are. I'm sure if the club decides to go in a different direction, there are some outstanding candidates out there for it.

"And you know what, maybe someone will think, 'Ah Ange Postecoglou's not a bad coach, maybe we'll take a punt on him'. It doesn't rock my world.

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"It doesn't consume me. I'm here, I'm passionate about what we're doing. I was brought in to change the way the club plays, rejuvenate the squad, bring success, I'm focused on that. That's what I'll keep doing."

Spurs head to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea before hosting bottom-of-the-table Southampton, then Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.

The two-legged European clash, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, could well decide whether Postecoglou stays on at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs will be without both Kevin Danso and Dejan Kulusevski for the first leg, but Postecoglou has said that Richarlison is closing in on returning to the matchday squad following two months out.

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