Postecoglou's Job on the Line as Tottenham Struggle to Find Form

Tottenham's slump shows no signs of abating, with manager Ange Postecoglou facing increasing pressure to turn things around and secure a top-four finish.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has denied accusations of taunting the team's fans during the 1-0 loss to Chelsea on Thursday. Postecoglou faced intense criticism from the Spurs supporters, who chanted “you don't know what you're doing” in response to his second-half substitutions.

The Australian manager, who is in his second season at the helm, remained defiant in the face of abuse, stating that he won't let it affect him. Postecoglou's substitutions, which saw Brennan Johnson and Pape Sarr replace Wilson Odobert and Lucas Bergvall, were met with widespread discontent from the Tottenham faithful. However, Postecoglou insisted that he won't be swayed by the criticism.

Tottenham's dismal form has led to growing disillusionment among the fans, with the team languishing in 14th place in the Premier League. The defeat to Chelsea marked their 16th loss in 30 top-flight games, and Postecoglou's position continues to come under scrutiny. Despite this, the manager remains committed to his approach, saying, “It's incredible how things are interpreted.”

Tottenham Hotspur is currently experiencing a slump, having gone without a win in their last four league games. This downturn has put them at risk of achieving their worst finish since the 1993-94 season, when they secured 15th place. Amidst this struggles, speculation surrounding manager Ange Postecoglou's future has intensified, particularly after suffering a second consecutive defeat.

Postecoglou, however, remains steadfast in the face of criticism, insisting that he will not lose sleep over the disapproval from fans. When asked about the booing that followed his substitutions, he responded, “It doesn't bother me. It's not the first time they have booed my substitutions.” Postecoglou acknowledged the fans' right to express their discontent, saying, “If that's what the fans feel, if they feel I'm not doing a good job they have every right to express it.”

Ange's Chelsea reaction 💬 pic.twitter.com/wZ23bRx9D9

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 3, 2025

Postecoglou emphasized the importance of focusing on aspects within his control, rather than worrying about external criticism. He explained, “They pay their money, they follow the club. They are the ones who will be here long after I have gone.” By prioritizing his team's performance, Postecoglou aims to improve their fortunes and silence his critics. As he noted, “It doesn't affect me. What I try and focus on is the things I can control. I can't control the fans. I can control our football and that's what I concentrate on.”

Before the VAR decision ruled out a potential equalizer from Pape Sarr, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou was seen gesturing to the fans, cupping his ear in a defiant motion. This action was perceived by many as a response to the criticism he had been receiving from the supporters.

However, Postecoglou denied that his gesture was intended as a retort to the fans' criticism. Instead, he claimed that he was simply trying to encourage the crowd to get excited about what they thought was a goal. Postecoglou expressed his frustration at how his actions were being misinterpreted, saying, “Jeez mate. It's incredible how things are interpreted. I wanted them to get excited and enjoy what we thought was a goal.” He further emphasized that his intention was not to make a point, but rather to generate excitement, adding, “I'm at some disconnect with the world these days. If you want to read into it that I was trying to make a point. I was just trying to get some excitement.”

VAR Criticism

Ange Postecoglou expressed his frustration with the VAR system, citing the lengthy stoppages in play that resulted from its use. In the second half of the match, 12 minutes of stoppage time were added due to two VAR decisions, which Postecoglou felt disrupted the flow of the game. He lamented, “It's not the same game it used to be. You are standing around for 12 minutes. It's killing the game, but no-one cares about that, they just love the drama and controversy.”

Postecoglou's criticism of VAR was not limited to the time it took to make decisions, but also the impact it has on the overall spectacle of the game. He felt that the constant interruptions and controversy surrounding VAR decisions were detrimental to the sport, saying, “They're not interested that it's killing the spectacle. It's crazy, it's madness. But we accept it and have to take the fall out.”

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou's job security may depend on the team's performance in the Europa League, with a quarter-final first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt approaching next week. To end their 17-year trophy drought and fulfill Postecoglou's promise of winning a major prize in his second season, Tottenham will need to significantly improve their performance. Postecoglou acknowledged the team's struggles, saying, “We conceded a really poor goal that we have been doing too often. It's been costing us. That was disappointing.”

Despite the disappointing goal concession, Postecoglou was pleased with his team's response, noting, “I thought our response was really good. We scored and that got ruled out, then we had a couple of chances at the end.” In contrast to Tottenham's struggles, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has guided his team to a healthier position, with the Blues climbing back to fourth place and sitting one point ahead of fifth-placed Manchester City in the Champions League qualification race.

Maresca emphasized the importance of Chelsea's win, stating, “The result is an important part because we are close to the end of the season.” He also highlighted the team's growth, saying, “If we want to become an important team we need to win in a dirty way, ugly way, so I'm quite happy.” Maresca's focus extends beyond just qualifying for the Champions League, as he noted, “If you measure the result then for sure if we achieve Champions League it's an important thing. But from my point of view, since the first day, I think the team is getting better and better.”

Back home on Sunday 🏡

👉 @Castrol pic.twitter.com/Y8YVyeSuqF

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 4, 2025