Ange Postecoglou has delivered a stark assessment of his former employers Tottenham Hotspur, describing them as “not a big club” and “curious” in their decision-making.
The Australian, who led Spurs to Europa League glory last season before being sacked in June, spoke at length on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast. His comments come just days after Tottenham sacked his successor Thomas Frank, who lasted only eight months in the job.
Wage Structure a Key Problem
Postecoglou said Tottenham’s wage bill tells a clear story.
“They’ve built an unbelievable stadium and training facilities, but when you look at the expenditure, particularly in wages, they’re not a big club,” he said.
He explained that after finishing fifth in his first season, he wanted to sign Premier League-ready players to push for the top four. His targets included Pedro Neto, Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi.
Instead, the club signed Dominic Solanke and three teenagers.
“Those three teenagers are outstanding young players and will be great for Tottenham, but they’re not going to get you from fifth to fourth and third,” he said.
Postecoglou pointed to Arsenal’s £100m move for Declan Rice as an example of what top clubs do. He said Tottenham, in his experience, would not make that kind of signing.
‘To Dare Is To Do’ Versus Reality
Postecoglou said the club’s motto, ‘To Dare Is To Do’, does not match how it is run.
“It’s everywhere you walk in the building. Yet their actions are almost the opposite of that,” he said.
He credited former chairman Daniel Levy for building the stadium and training ground but said the club had taken a “safe path” rather than the risks needed to win trophies.
Postecoglou said he took a major risk by prioritising the Europa League over the Premier League. Spurs finished 17th in the league but won the club’s first trophy in 17 years.
“I still felt that was the way forward. If we’re ever going to become the team Tottenham want to be, this was the path,” he said.
‘I Knew I Was Gone in January’
Postecoglou revealed he realised his time was coming to an end months before his sacking was confirmed.
“I knew I was gone probably around the end of January, early February,” he said.
He said conversations about the transfer window and pre-season never happened, which told him what was coming.
He added that he told his coaching staff to “get your helmets on” because the team would face criticism each week. He said he was willing to take that responsibility.
A ‘Curious Club’ with No Clear Direction
Postecoglou questioned what Tottenham are trying to achieve.
He noted that serial winners Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte both failed, while Mauricio Pochettino played attractive football but won nothing.
“You look at that list of names and there isn’t really a common thread through there as to what they’re trying to do,” he said.
He said the club has now made a “major pivot” with Levy’s departure and Frank’s arrival, creating uncertainty.
“Thomas is walking in and what’s his objective? What’s the club’s objective? At the start of the year they said compete on all fronts. Well, the club hasn’t competed on all fronts for a very long time,” he said.
‘Spursy’ Tag Is Real
Postecoglou said the ‘Spursy’ tag “100 per cent” exists at the club.
He recalled the day of the Europa League final, when Levy told him he had been in seven finals and semi-finals without winning one.
“I know why he said that. That does exist, absolutely,” Postecoglou said.
He said winning the trophy should have helped the club move past that reputation. Instead, they “tore it all up” and started again.
“We’d have had two trophies in two months if I’d stayed for the Super Cup. All of a sudden that’s out the window, that they can’t win a big game. You’ve broken that,” he said.
Second Year Claim Was Deliberate
Postecoglou said his famous claim that he “always wins things in my second year” was a calculated move.
“I was doing that for the club because no one internally would dare say that. They were just scared,” he said.
He said the club had been close a few times but lacked the belief to say it out loud.
What Next for Tottenham?
Tottenham are now looking for their sixth permanent manager in seven years. Frank’s departure after less than a season continues a pattern of short-lived appointments.
Postecoglou’s comments lay bare the challenges facing the club. He believes the problems are not just about who is in the dugout, but about how the club sees itself and what it is willing to do to compete.
“It’s a curious club, Tottenham,” he said.