Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou slams club’s ‘fragile foundations’ after City defeat

'The last 48 hours have taught me a lot'

A brace from Erling Haaland saw City return to the top of the Premier League, and the Manchester club now go into the final day knowing they will be champions again if they beat West Ham at home.

If Pep Guardiola's side had dropped points at Tottenham, it would have handed the initiative to Arsenal on the final day, who would have been in the same position as City now are.

This meant Spurs fans were hugely conflicted during the match knowing that a win for them could have handed the title to their arch North London rivals.

After the game, Postecoglou suggested the build-up to the game, and the discussion of some Spurs fans actively wanted their team to lose, had opened his eyes to issues at the club.

In his post-match press conference, the 58-year-old said: "The last 48 hours have revealed that the foundations are fairly fragile." 

"It just means I've got to go back to the drawing board with some things. It’s outside [the club], inside, everywhere. It's been an interesting exercise."

Some Spurs fans in the stadium had chanted "are you watching Arsenal" after Man City took the lead, whilst others performed the Citizens' iconic celebration, the Poznan.

When asked about this, the Aussie bluntly replied: "I'm not interested mate. I just don't care."

He continued: "It's just my observations mate. I'm not going to tell you, because it's for me.

"I'm the one who's got to do it. You can make your own assessments of what's happened. 

"I probably misread the situation as to what I think is important in your endeavour to become a winning team, but that's ok. That's why I'm here."

Postecoglou didn't reveal what the specific areas he needs to improve are, but seemed to hit out at Spurs fans when he said that "what other people's priorities are are of zero interest to me."

Some fans had suggested that the former Celtic manager's words revealed that he had "just discovered how impossible the Tottenham job is."

One person wrote on social media: "You can see Ange Postecoglou has officially discovered just how impossible the Tottenham job really is. The mentality. The culture. The history. You simply cannot succeed."

Another said: "Ange Postecoglou HATES losing. It oozes out of him in everything he says and does. Managing a club where many, maybe even most, fans want to lose because it hurt their biggest rival would stick in his craw like a splinter in a dog’s paw."

A third penned: "Not sure you would have predicted when Postecoglou and his team were rapturously applauded/serenaded off after losing 4-1 to Chelsea that he'd end the season digging out the fans."

Spurs are now all but guaranteed to finish fifth this season, meaning they will play in the Europa League next season.

Tuesday night's result also means that Aston Villa have qualified for the Champions League, and will play in the competition for the first time since 1983.

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