Ange Postecoglou is no clown. This is a man who has won trophies in Australia, Japan and Scotland – creating a distinctive footballing philosophy en route – and deservedly earned a crack at managing one of England’s great football clubs.
To suggest otherwise was, at best, clumsy.
The narrative this morning appears to suggest the British media think the Tottenham boss was wrong to have his right of reply, that it overshadows the main focus of helping his team beat Manchester United in the Europa League final tonight.
However, the claim that a spiky retort in a press conference should somehow derail a squad of players and coaching staff is absurd.
Spurs trained at San Mames late yesterday afternoon and will go into tonight’s game as underdogs but with a record of having not lost to United in any of their last six games.
They will be well prepared by a manager who has seen and done most things in the game, in various corners of the globe.
Postecoglou’s cheery, well-crafted responses have dried up
Postecoglou’s demeanour in meetings with the media has changed since he arrived in North London nearly two years ago.
His honest, articulate musings were initially welcomed as a break from the usual bland, media-trained answers given by the bulk of Premier League players and managers.
But that has given way to the art of self defence as his tactics have been questioned on a repeated basis.
It is a part of the media’s job to scrutinise the game, and its protagonists. Absolutely fair.
However, when that trips over into what could be construed as a personal insult is where the line should be drawn.
It is Postecoglou’s right to stand up for himself. The double standards of an industry that is happy to criticise and is then affronted when the recipient answers back borders on rank hypocrisy.
It is another sign of the melodrama that accompanies football nowadays.
More news conferences, more access, more questions and more answers. So many columns to write, so many radio and TV slots to fill. Back pages today, forgotten tomorrow as the circus moves on to something else.
The more pertinent point about Postecoglou’s retort was that it was another indication his time at Spurs may be coming to an end.
He has presided over a poor season, albeit one riddled with injuries to key players.
The time is now. pic.twitter.com/xuvXSFdcRJ
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 21, 2025
Not good enough on the field
Spurs head to the Basque Country in 17th place in the Premier League having accumulated just 38 points and suffered 21 defeats in 37 games.
You can argue that record is not good enough for a club of Tottenham’s resources and few would disagree.
And it is for that reason the Australian will likely leave the club and ply his trade elsewhere next season.
Catch him in a quiet moment and he would likely agree it hasn’t been good enough.
But, a clown? No, mate.
