Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou expressed concern over the fragile state of the club following their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday, which effectively ended their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Postecoglou highlighted the inherent instability within the club, both internally and externally. “The foundations are really fragile,” he said. “The last 48 hours have shown me that. It’s inside the club, outside the club. Outside, inside, everywhere. It’s been an interesting exercise. It’s just my observations, mate.”
The defeat had broader implications beyond Tottenham’s own ambitions, as they could have impacted the Premier League title race by taking points off City, which would have benefited their north London rivals, Arsenal. In the lead-up to the match, Postecoglou was taken aback by some Spurs fans expressing a preference for a loss to City, as it would hinder Arsenal’s title challenge.
🚨🗣️ Ange Postecoglou: “Unfortunately in the last 48h I saw that the foundations are really fragile”.
“It’s inside the club, outside the club”.
Mourinho told us this ✅
Conte told us this ✅
Now Ange is telling us this 😮(🎥 @HaytersTV)
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 15, 2024
Despite putting up a strong fight, Tottenham succumbed to Erling Haaland’s 51st-minute goal. The reaction from the home supporters, who chanted “are you watching Arsenal?” highlighted a divided and subdued atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
When questioned about whether this atmosphere influenced his players, Postecoglou acknowledged its impact. “Of course it does. It is what it is. I can’t dictate what people do.”