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Tag: pre-match press conference

  • ‘It just sheds light’: Ange weighs in on dramatic Man City demise as stunning Spurs feat looms

    ‘It just sheds light’: Ange weighs in on dramatic Man City demise as stunning Spurs feat looms

    Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says it is no surprise Manchester City have dropped from their “unprecedented standard” following a record run of four successive English titles.

    Postecoglou’s side face faltering champions City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday as they look to beat their opponents for the third time this season.

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    Spurs’ 2-1 win in the League Cup in October was City’s first loss of the campaign and the start of a woeful run of nine defeats in 12 matches.

    Guardiola’s side are now fourth in the table, a huge 20 points behind leaders Liverpool.

    “It looks like they’re going through a rough trot at the moment but that’s because of the unbelievable standards they have set since Pep has been there,” Postecoglou told a pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

    “I think it’s just a way of elite sport, you know and it just sheds light on how extraordinary they have been.

    “The fact that they did win four in a row and the consistency of that four in a row of just the sheer numbers they accumulated in terms of points, in terms of goals, in terms of wins, just competing on all (fronts), it’s just an unbelievable and probably unprecedented standard that they set.”

    Spurs win 3rd straight – Gunners choke | 03:05

    The Australian, whose Spurs team are 12th in the table, added: “And it’s only natural that that’s never going to continue forever, I mean that’s just not sustainable.”

    Spurs’ Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero remain sidelined, with Ben Davies also set to miss out against City, leaving Kevin Danso and out-of-position youngster Archie Gray continuing at the heart of the north London club’s defence.

    Spurs, however, were also missing key personnel when they won 4-0 at the Etihad in November.

    Reds sink City in epic title statement | 01:27

    “They will have times in the game where they take control and it’s how we deal with that and cope with that. We’ve done that not too bad in the games we’ve played against them and for us that will be the challenging bit,” said Postecoglou.

    “When we have our moments, we have to show quality. I know we beat them and the scoreline sounds convincing at their place, but it was the quality of our finishing that was the difference.

    “I love coming up against Pep’s teams and am looking forward to it.”

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  • ‘Great vindication’: Ange slams doubts over Spurs recruit while detailing last-gasp transfer coup

    ‘Great vindication’: Ange slams doubts over Spurs recruit while detailing last-gasp transfer coup

    Ange Postecoglou said Mathys Tel is “100 per cent” committed to Tottenham after the French forward signed on loan despite reportedly rejecting a move to the club earlier in the January transfer window.

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    Tottenham were busy in the final hours of Monday’s deadline day as they bolstered Postecoglou’s injury-ravaged squad, bringing in Tel and defender Kevin Danso.

    Bayern Munich’s Tel, 19, was also linked with Manchester United and Arsenal before opting for Tottenham, who have an option to make the move permanent in the summer transfer window.

    Postecoglou, whose team take a 1-0 lead into Thursday’s League Cup semi-final second-leg at Liverpool, told his pre-match press conference that Tel had been right to take his time over such a major decision.

    “It’s not so much that he rejected us or rejected anyone else,” said the Spurs manager. “Rightly so he was getting as much information as possible.”

    The Australian added: “I had a conversation with him and I guess mine was purely around the football and I think he’ll find a really great place here in terms of where he is in his career.

    Kerr still out of strong Matildas squad | 03:28

    “He obviously wants to play. We’ve already shown that irrespective of age, he’ll get an opportunity here, and the way we play will suit him.

    “Certainly with what we have in the next few months and then more importantly what we’re building beyond, I thought he would be a perfect fit.”

    When asked if he felt the France under-21 international was fully committed to Spurs, Postecoglou said: “Yes, 100 per cent. I am more than 100 per cent sure because he took so much time, was so diligent about finding out everything when he made a decision that it’s us.

    “He obviously had options and that sort of gave me even more confidence that we are getting the right kind of mentality, the right kind of player.

    “He is very ambitious. He’s got a great deal of self-belief and self-confidence. He feels he can reach the top of the game and he has chosen us, which is a great vindication of what we are doing.”

    Tel and Danso will both be available for Thursday’s match at Anfield, but Micky van de Ven and fellow centre-back Cristian Romero are set to miss out, with Postecoglou taking a “conservative” approach after the duo’s injury absences.

    Kerr officer challenged over motives | 01:50

    Tottenham are one match away from a League Cup final at Wembley as they seek to end a trophy drought that stretches back to 2008.

    Former Celtic boss Postecoglou, in his second season at Tottenham, put himself under pressure earlier in the campaign when he said he “always wins things in my second year”.

    But he said Premier League leaders and League Cup holders Liverpool would also be feeling the pressure.

    “I don’t think Liverpool will be any less anxious than us about the fixture,” he said. “You’re in a semi-final, particularly a second leg and it’s still very tight.

    “It’s a big game for both clubs so you recognise that, you embrace that but ultimately if you want to be successful these are the games you want to be involved in.”

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  • ‘We’ve been planning’: Ange’s Spurs set to hit transfer market amid cruel injury crisis

    ‘We’ve been planning’: Ange’s Spurs set to hit transfer market amid cruel injury crisis

    Ange Postecoglou expects Tottenham Hotspur to bolster their squad during the January transfer window.

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    Spurs have been hit by injuries and suspensions during the past month, with Postecoglou refusing to rein in his attacking approach as the London club have dropped down the Premier League table during a run of inconsistent results.

    A thrilling 4-3 win over Manchester United in the League Cup quarter-finals last week was followed by an embarrassing 6-3 loss at home to Liverpool in the league on Sunday.

    But ahead of Thursday’s Boxing Day match at Nottingham Forest, Spurs manager Postecoglou said he was aiming to bring in new recruits next month.

    “Like I said a while ago, we’ve been planning,” he told a pre-match press conference.

    “A lot of it was going to be around where we’re at around this time. Fair to say we’re still a little bit short in a couple of areas and we need to reinforce.”

    The 59-year-old Australian added: “I think the fact that, obviously, we’re still in the Carabao (League) Cup semi-final, still got Europe, FA Cup, we’re in all the competitions, it’s not like our schedule’s going to ease up at any stage.

    Ange Postecoglou manager / head coach of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 22, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    “So, I think it makes sense. We will try and reinforce. Where and what number we’ll have to wait and see.

    “You don’t just want to panic and bring in anybody that you don’t think will help our cause in the back half of the year, but I think we’ve already shown we are pretty methodical and prudent about our work.” Tottenham have lost three of their last five Premier League matches and lie 11th in the table heading into Christmas.

    However, they have also been coping with cup commitments and a lengthy injury list that includes Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven.

    Postecoglou had sympathy for the players picking up the slack in their absence as they try to implement his aggressive style.

    Man U fan frustration felt by Amorim | 00:41

    “I can’t be critical of this group of players at the moment in any sense,” he said.

    “I think it would be unfair for anyone to because what they’re doing is they’re giving absolute maximum effort.

    “That’s backed up by the physical parameters you put against what they’re doing. They’re trying to do it in the way that I’m asking them to.

    “So how can I be critical of that? I think that would be hypocritical of me. The players are doing their part.

    “They’re doing it to the maximum of their ability and it’s a credit to them.” Postecoglou, meanwhile, was preparing for another solitary Christmas Day, something the former Celtic boss has become used to during his football career.

    “It’s a family tradition mate that I’m on my own,” he said. “The family is in a warmer climate in Australia.

    “We have a couple of young boys, so it’s important they are around family at this time. I will give them a call in the morning and then get on about my day.”

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  • ‘Just offensive to me:’ Ange blasts personal criticism ahead of huge Spurs test

    ‘Just offensive to me:’ Ange blasts personal criticism ahead of huge Spurs test

    Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says he welcomes scrutiny but that some of the criticism directed at him is “offensive.”

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    Injury-hit Spurs took a big step towards a first trophy since 2008 on Friday with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

    Tottenham led 3-0 before two howlers from goalkeeper Fraser Forster let United into the game, but the home side held on for a precious win.

    Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool defender, said Spurs should be more flexible in their approach rather than sticking to all-out attack.

    Ahead of Monday’s visit of Liverpool, Postecoglou found an ally on Friday in opposite number Arne Slot, who said he was a big fan of the Spurs manager’s style.

    LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 19: Ange Postecoglou, manager of Tottenham Hotspur, embraces James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS

    Postecoglou discussed in detail the analysis of Carragher and others when asked at his pre-match press conference on Saturday if he would listen more to someone like Slot than the ex-Reds defender.

    “Jamie Carragher, mate. You can name him. He’ll enjoy that,” Postecoglou laughed.

    He added: “I love the fact people are talking about our games and analysing our games. I think that is important as well for this football club and I’d rather that than us be anonymous and no one talk about us, or we’re just grinding out an existence.

    “As I’ve always said, you have to be prepared for scrutiny, you have to be prepared for criticism and it’s how you react to that that is more important.

    “What I am saying is I don’t need validity and it won’t change what I believe because what I believe (comes from) a lifetime of experiences and values that I won’t let anyone tamper with from the outside.”

    But the Australian said he did not understand “some of the other stuff”, believing it was about getting headlines.

    Asked to expand, Postecoglou replied: “There is some stuff out there and I find — and at the appropriate time I’ll call it out — just offensive towards me.

    “I just think you know what, I don’t know. I’m up here with a silly accent and maybe I don’t take things as seriously as people want me to and I’m fairly dismissive of them, but that’s all right. I love my life and I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.”

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  • ‘Maybe Mo knows more’: Liverpool boss’ cheeky Man City dig as Salah drops big hint about his future

    ‘Maybe Mo knows more’: Liverpool boss’ cheeky Man City dig as Salah drops big hint about his future

    Arne Slot joked Tuesday that Mohamed Salah must have inside knowledge of Manchester City’s fate over alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules after the forward suggested he had played his final game at Anfield against the champions.

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    City are facing 115 charges related to the alleged breaches and, if found guilty, could face severe punishment, including the possibility of relegation from the English top flight.

    Salah, whose Liverpool contract expires at the end of the season, has been at the centre of feverish speculation over his future.

    The Egypt international said Sunday’s 2-0 win against City could have been his last home game against Pep Guardiola’s men, who have won six out of the past seven Premier League titles.

    “Probably until now this is the last City game I will play for Liverpool so I was just going to enjoy it,” Salah told Sky Sports after the match at Anfield.

    “The atmosphere was incredible so I will enjoy every second here. Hopefully we just win the league and will see what will happen.” Slot, whose team have won 18 of their 20 matches in all competitions this season, has become an expert in side-stepping questions on the expiring contracts of Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold and on this occasion chose to make a joke out of it.

    “Maybe Mo knows more about the 115 charges, so he expects them not to be in the Premier League next season,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

    “I do expect them in the Premier League. No, the boring answer is always the same. This is not the place, for me, to talk about Mo’s contract.

    “Maybe I’ve said already too much, that would probably get the headlines. But it was a joke. I repeat, a joke!” City, who have lost six out of their past seven games in all competitions, strongly deny the charges.

    Pep urges Man City fans to stick by team | 01:34

    – Flying start –

    Liverpool, nine points clear of second-placed Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, travel to face mid-table Newcastle on Wednesday.

    Slot, in his first season at Anfield after replacing Jurgen Klopp, said his men had worked hard for their success.

    “If we would have done this by just playing on 50 percent and it’s so easy for us, then they might feel, ‘Ah, we’re just too good for this league’,” he said.

    “But that’s definitely not what we feel against every team, no matter if it’s City or Liverpool or it was Wolves or Nottingham Forest.

    “We had to work really, really, really hard to get the results, and I think that keeps them with both feet on the ground.” And the Dutchman said his players were not getting carried away with their breathtaking start to the season, with success part of the “culture” of the club.

    “This club, this team, these players are used to the fact that they are top of the league or they are competing for every trophy, so then it helps that they have experienced this,” he added.

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  • ‘More in than out’: Slot’s response to Salah speculation as ‘special’ Champions League test looms

    ‘More in than out’: Slot’s response to Salah speculation as ‘special’ Champions League test looms

    Liverpool manager Arne Slot said speculation over Mohamed Salah’s future at Anfield is fuelling the Egyptian’s fine form ahead of a “special” week for the Reds.

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    Salah, who has scored 223 goals since joining Liverpool in 2017, is out of contract at the end of the season and expressed his disappointment at not yet receiving an offer of a new deal after netting twice in Sunday’s 3-2 win at Southampton.

    The 32-year-old said he was “more out than in” as things stand despite scoring 12 goals and providing 10 assists this season to spearhead a stunning start to Slot’s reign.

    Liverpool is in first place in the Champions League ahead of the visit of holders Real Madrid on Wednesday and sit eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.

    “I don’t think it distracts Mo at all. Maybe it brings even the best out of him, if you look at his performances until now,” Slot said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

    “I talked to Mo about what I expect from him, like I do with all the other players, and he’s in a good place at the moment.

    “The only thing I can say is if I look at my line-ups, Mo is more in than out.” Salah is one of three Liverpool stars out of contract at the end of the season, alongside captain Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been linked with a move to Real.

    “Honestly, for us as players, it’s nothing that we can really get involved in. All I can say is, you look at Mo today, you look at Mo yesterday, he’s the ultimate professional,” said Liverpool defender Andy Robertson.

    “It goes for all three of them. Mo, Virgil and Trent, who are all in similar positions. Every one of them is so focused on the next game and training and preparing properly. They’ve been leaders this year, that’s the way they’ve done it.”

    Tillies back Fowler’s football break | 01:10

    A fifth victory in five matches would edge Liverpool closer to securing direct entry to the Champions League last 16 via a top-eight finish.

    But they have to overturn a horrible recent record against the Spanish giants, who are unbeaten in the last eight meetings between the clubs, including two Champions League finals in 2018 and 2022.

    Struggling Premier League champions Manchester City then visit Anfield on Sunday to give Liverpool the chance to land a telling blow in the title race.

    “I think Real Madrid and Manchester City dominated Europe and the league for a few years now, combined with Liverpool, because Liverpool was always up there as well, competing with these two clubs,” added Slot.

    “If you are Liverpool, you always play big games, but these two are special because these three clubs have dominated the league in Europe for so many years recently. So that’s a special week to play.” Madrid is more in need of the points after losing two of their opening four games.

    Carlo Ancelotti’s men, though, often save their best for when they need it most on the European stage and Slot conceded the 15-time winners have a special aura in this competition.

    “If it’s difficult for them, they can still win the game, which is probably one of the reasons, apart from them having so much quality, that they won this tournament a lot,” he said.

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  • ‘I will be here’: Newly-extended Man City coach’s defiant message amid relegation threat

    ‘I will be here’: Newly-extended Man City coach’s defiant message amid relegation threat

    Pep Guardiola said on Friday he would remain at Manchester City even if the club were to face relegation from the Premier League over alleged breaches of financial rules.

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    Guardiola, who has won six Premier League titles in the past seven years with City, signed a two-year contract extension on Thursday, committing him to the English champions till 2027.

    A hearing into the Premier League’s 115 charges against City has been ongoing for several weeks, with a verdict expected before the end of the season.

    The club have strongly denied any financial wrongdoing, but could face a severe points penalty if found guilty of some or all the charges.

    “I said that six months ago, one year ago when all the clubs accuse us of doing something wrong. If we get relegated, I will be here,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Tottenham’s visit on Saturday.

    “If they send us to the Conference (fifth tier) we will come up and up and come back to the Premier League. I knew it then and I feel it now.”

    Guardiola’s decision to extend his deal is also a boost during a rare period of on-field turmoil.

    For the first time in the Spaniard’s managerial career, his team have lost four consecutive matches.

    But the 53-year-old hit back at City’s critics, pointing to their success in becoming the first side to ever win four English top-flight titles in a row.

    “When you are here for nine years, with a long time at one club, you live all the scenarios, all the situations,” added Guardiola.

    “You’re able to lose four games in a row, but at the same time you’re able to win four Premier Leagues in a row.

    “The difference is that most of the teams are able to lose four games in a row in different competitions but just one team won four Premier Leagues in a row.”

    City’s poor run began with a League Cup exit to Tottenham before Premier League defeats to Bournemouth and Brighton either side of a 4-1 loss at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.

    All four losses came on the road and Guardiola is hoping for some home comforts when City return to the Etihad Stadium, where they have not been beaten in open play in two years.

    “We have to start to win games, we know it,” he added.

    “We are coming back at home, hopefully we can perform well and start to take our rhythm.” City’s loss of form had coincided with an injury crisis before the international break.

    Mateo Kovacic is now set to be ruled out for up to a month due to an issue he picked up while playing for Croatia.

    But there is more positive news for Guardiola as defenders John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji are back available, while Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku have trained this week despite withdrawing from their national team squads.

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  • ‘English please’: New Man United boss in awkward press conference exchange with reporter

    ‘English please’: New Man United boss in awkward press conference exchange with reporter

    Incoming Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has been subjected to a painfully awkward press conference exchange that’s been described as “breathtaking arrogance”.

    The 39-year-old was named the new manager of the Red Devils on Friday, taking on what has been a poisoned chalice ever since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement back in 2013.

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    Replacing the recently fired Erik Ten Hag, Amorim will take up his new post on November 11 and still has two matches to contest with his current club Sporting CP.

    The first is a Champions League tie against Manchester City on Wednesday (AEDT) and his pre-match press conference led to the cringe-worthy exchange, which you can see in the video player above, at no fault of the Portuguese manager.

    The press conference was being held in Lisbon entirely in Portuguese and reporter Gary Cotterill seemed to tire of the language being used.

    Ruben Amorim will take charge of Manchester United next week. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP)Source: AFP

    “Ruben, hello. Do you know what we miss?” Cotterill began in a tone many have questioned.

    “What?” Amorim replied.

    “Your wonderful English. Can we have one answer in English for all people who are going to be watching this game interested in Manchester City, in Sporting and in Manchester United?

    “One answer in English?”

    At this point, a moderator off camera interjects to remind the reporter Amorim will be speaking in English when he takes up his new role.

    “You’ll have time to hear Ruben speaking English,” they said firmly.

    He added “now it’s time for him to speak …” before he was swiftly cut off.

    “Have Manchester United asked you not to speak in English?” Cotterill asked, oddly.

    “No, no, no,” Amorim replied.

    The cringe-worthy moment in Ruben Amorim’s press conference. Photos: XSource: Twitter

    Unperturbed, Cotterill opted to push on as Amorim managed a sheepish chuckle.

    “I wondered if you were aware that obviously to win tomorrow night will be brilliant for your current club, but also brilliant for your new club.

    “You could be a hero even before you get on a plane to Manchester. Has that crossed your mind?

    “In English please.”

    Amorim could only reply: “Hmm sorry, I cannot speak in English now.”

    When he was repeatedly asked “why” by the reporter, Amorim gestured to the rest of the room and stated: “They will miss me in Portuguese, so I have to speak Portuguese.”

    An exasperated Cotterill, ready to throw his toys out of the cot by this stage, fired back: “They’ve had about 25 minutes in Portuguese. We want 10 seconds in English.”

    Manchester City training ahead of the clash with Sporting CP. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Amorim again looked at the moderator, who said: “We will proceed in Portuguese.

    “Next week, you will hear him talking English.”

    Cotterill finished off by saying: “It’s like a cold shoulder to all your English fans.”

    Naturally, press conferences are routinely held in different languages, often with headphones to assist with English translations or with transcripts released shortly afterwards to the press.

    It is far less routine for a journalist to repeatedly badger a sporting identity and insist they speak in the language they desire.

    European football begins an international break next week, with Amorim’s first match in charge of United slated for the Premier League clash away to Ipswich Town on November 25.

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  • 406 goals and no trophies … but England captain Harry Kane would trade it all for Euro glory

    406 goals and no trophies … but England captain Harry Kane would trade it all for Euro glory

    Harry Kane said leading England to win Euro 2024 on Monday morning AEST would be the “most incredible feeling” a footballer can have as he aims to end his own long wait to win a trophy.

    The England captain has scored 406 goals for club and country in a decorated career without winning any collective silverware.

    All that could change in Berlin this weekend should Kane guide England to a first major tournament win in 58 years to become European champions for the first time.

    “It’s no secret that I haven’t won a team trophy. Every year that goes by, you’re more motivated and you’re more determined to change that,” Kane said at a pre-match press conference on Saturday.

    “Tomorrow night I have the opportunity to win one of the biggest trophies you could ever win and to make history with my nation.

    “I’d swap everything in my career to have a special night and a win tomorrow evening.”

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    Kane was on the losing side three years ago as England missed out on the Euros to Italy on penalties at Wembley.

    Now into their first ever final on foreign soil, the Bayern Munich striker said England would be fuelled by the pain of defeat at Euro 2020.

    “It would be, obviously, the most incredible feeling as a professional footballer you can get and I’m sure also for the fans, to have that moment in history and to be able to celebrate, that would be something very special,” added Kane.

    “We’ve been here before and it was a tough finish in the last Euro. So there’s that extra hunger and fire in the belly to make sure this one goes our way.”

    England forward Harry Kane. Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFPSource: AFP

    The two finalists have arrived in Berlin in contrasting fashion. Spain have looked a class apart in Germany, eliminating the hosts and France, as well as beating Italy and Croatia to become the first side to win all of their first six games at a Euros.

    England, on the other hand, have had to battle back in all three of the knockout rounds against Slovakia, Switzerland and the Netherlands without ever delivering on the full potential of a richly-talented squad.

    Kane, though, said England’s resilience to win, thanks to late goals and a penalty shootout against the Swiss in the quarter-finals, had fostered greater belief their time has come.

    “You have to have a belief you can win it otherwise there’s no point in being in the tournament, but I think that belief has grown as we’ve gone through the tournament,” he added.

    “What we’ve been through with the late goals and the penalty shootout and all that stuff builds resilience and builds belief.”

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  • ‘Once I realised I’d got it wrong’: Ange Postecoglou on why Man City game was ‘worst experience’

    ‘Once I realised I’d got it wrong’: Ange Postecoglou on why Man City game was ‘worst experience’

    Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said he suffered “cold sweats” worrying that his integrity could be questioned over his side’s midweek match against Manchester City, which the champions won 2-0.

    The former Australia boss admitted he was wrong to scoff at suggestions that Spurs fans would want their own side to lose in order to deny north London rivals Arsenal the Premier League title.

    City’s victory took them two points clear of the Gunners at the top of the table heading into Sunday’s final day of the season.

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    EPL clubs to vote on scrapping VAR | 00:41

    Despite the subdued atmosphere on Wednesday morning [AEST], Spurs made Pep Guardiola’s men work hard and could easily have snatched a point had Stefan Ortega not saved from Son Heung-min late on.

    “That’s probably the worst experience I’ve had as a football manager in a game,” Postecoglou said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

    “Once I realised I’d got it wrong in terms of what the atmosphere was going to be like and what people felt, I got a real anxiety within me. What happens if Man City, the best team in the world, who were disposing of teams quite easily in the lead-up, what if we play as well as we can but they beat us 5-0?

    “I got cold sweats thinking about people questioning my integrity and the people I work with.”

    A furious Postecoglou was involved in an angry exchange with a supporter behind the Tottenham bench during the match and said after the game the foundations he had built in his first season were “fragile”.

    Spurs just need to avoid defeat away to relegated Sheffield United on Sunday to secure a fifth-placed finish and Europa League football.

    But Postecoglou believes much more work needs to be done to instil a winning mentality at a club that has not won a trophy since 2008.

    Bentancur LASHES OUT at early hooking | 00:36

    “Supporters are there to back their club and do their bit,” he said.

    “They’ve certainly done their bit for us this year. The amount of games we’ve won late at the stadium has been extraordinary and the supporters have played a big part in that.

    “The last game, I don’t understand. I sat here the day before and mocked the whole thing. I really didn’t believe that was the case. But if that’s how people feel? I’m not a Spurs supporter. They are. They’re the custodians, not me.

    “All I can say is to offer my opinion on what you need to be successful. For me, you can’t be successful if your motivations change depending on the contest. You’ve got to want to win all the time.

    “It wasn’t just Spurs supporters. Everyone I heard said they understand how they feel. Well I don’t understand. I just can’t think of anything worse than not going all in on victory every time you’re out there.”

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