Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said the foundations he has built at the club are “fragile” after many fans took glee in their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, which could deny north London rivals Arsenal the Premier League title.
Spurs’ chances of Champions League football were ended by Erling Haaland’s second-half double that took City back to the top of the table, two points ahead of Arsenal going into Sunday’s final fixtures.
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Postecoglou had dismissed suggestions on the eve of the game that Tottenham supporters would want their own side to lose if it meant denying the Gunners a first title in 20 years.
But after a subdued atmosphere on Tuesday night, with chants mocking Arsenal in the final stages, the Australian admitted he had “misread” the situation.
“I think the last 48 hours have revealed to me the foundations are pretty fragile. That’s things I’ve got to go back to the drawing board on,” said Postecoglou.
The former Celtic boss was further pressed on whether his frustration was aimed at the fans or those inside the club.
“(I) Don’t care. Outside, inside, everywhere. It’s been an interesting exercise,” he added.
“I probably misread the situation in what it takes to make a winning team.”
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Postecoglou’s comments regarding Tottenham’s “fragile” foundations had Liverpool legend Michael Owen baffled as to what he meant, but it was evident “there’s certainly something” that has rankled the Australian in recent times.
“I’m desperate for him to reveal a little bit more and I’m scratching my head to think he’s referring to then, but he doesn’t seem happy, does he,” Owen told Premier League Productions.
“I wonder what that can be, whether he’s had a meeting with the people above, if he’s started looking ahead to next season already, which would surprise me if he had. That’s a head scratcher, that one.
“But there’s certainly something that’s affected him and annoying him at the moment. That will obviously come out in the hours and days to come, but not a happy man.”
Perhaps Postecoglou’s frustrations are centred around the atmosphere — or lack of — generated by the Tottenham faithful.
The Tottenham boss spoke on Tuesday that he’d “never understand if somebody wants their own team to lose”, but he received a rude awakening against City.
Cameras showed two Tottenham fans celebrating by doing the Poznan — a City celebration — when Haaland scored the opener as a chant of “Are you watching Arsenal?” echoed around the stadium.
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It supposedly took its toll on Postecoglou as footage emerged of him ripping into a supporter behind the team’s bench, although it is unclear exactly what is said by the Aussie boss.
And when asked if the subdued atmosphere was a result of Tottenham’s rivalry with Arsenal and the implications of beating City, Postecoglou delivered a telling response.
“I’m just not interested mate,” Postecoglou said.
“Maybe I’m out of step, but I just don’t care, I just want to win. I want to be successful at this football club, it’s why I was brought in.
“So what other people, how they want to feel, and what their priorities are, are of zero interest to me.
“I know what’s important to build a winning team, that’s what I need to concentrate on.”
Postecoglou added: “I can’t dictate what people do. Yeah, when we’ve got late winners in games, it is because the crowd has helped us.
“What other people’s priorities are doesn’t interest me. I know what we need to build a winning team and that’s what I’m concentrating on.”
Tottenham still have work to do to guarantee fifth place and Europa League football next season, but only need a point when they travel to relegated Sheffield United on Sunday to do so.