Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has found himself in a heated exchange with the media in England as he prepares for one of the most crucial matches of his tenure at Tottenham Hotspur. With his first season at Spurs reaching a defining moment, the Australian tactician did not hold back when faced with probing questions ahead of their Europa League last-16 second-leg clash against AZ Alkmaar.
Following a disappointing domestic campaign that has seen Tottenham crash out of both domestic cup competitions and struggle to secure a strong finish in the Premier League, the Europa League now represents their last remaining hope of silverware this season. Furthermore, with Champions League qualification looking increasingly unlikely via the league, winning the Europa League could offer a crucial backdoor into Europe’s elite competition. However, Postecoglou’s side faces an uphill battle after suffering a 1-0 defeat in the first leg against AZ Alkmaar.
Tense Press Conference as Postecoglou Fires Back
In his pre-match press duties, Postecoglou was met with a grilling from reporters, with questions that quickly turned confrontational. One of the most pointed inquiries came when he was asked whether the upcoming fixture was effectively a “win or bust” moment for his Tottenham project. The Australian was visibly unimpressed by the phrasing of the question and wasted no time in pushing back.
“There aren’t many professions in the world where you have to come in and answer questions like that, is there?” Postecoglou responded, as quoted by Football London.
Choosing to remain composed despite the tense atmosphere, he redirected the focus to his team’s preparation, adding:
“But I am going to be polite and say we’re focused on winning the game. We know we need to put in a much better performance than we did last Thursday. That was nowhere near the standard we set for ourselves, but if we can play with the intensity and tempo we showed at the weekend, then we’ll give ourselves a good chance to progress.”
Defending His “Second Season Success” Statement
The press conference also saw Postecoglou challenged on a previous remark he made back in September following a North London derby defeat to Arsenal. At the time, he had stated: “I don’t usually win things in my first season—I always win things in my second season. Nothing’s changed.” Given Tottenham’s current situation, reporters pressed him on whether he regretted making such a bold assertion so early in his tenure.
Remaining firm in his stance, Postecoglou dismissed the idea that his words were overly confident or misguided.
“My view has always been that when you’re asked a question, you answer it. I wasn’t making anything up,” he said. “I was stating a fact—everywhere I’ve been, I’ve won trophies in my second year. If that doesn’t happen this season, then I simply won’t be able to say that anymore next year, will I?
“What was I supposed to say back then? ‘I always win in my second season, but, well, here it won’t happen’? Is that what people wanted to hear?” he continued. “I don’t have an issue with the way people interpret things. Some will twist my words to fit their own narrative. But if we do defy the odds and win something, the same people will turn around and say, ‘Isn’t it great that he backed himself?’ That’s just how it works.
“I will always answer things the way I feel comfortable, and I am proud of the fact that I have won everywhere I’ve been. That’s why I’m sitting here as the manager of Tottenham Hotspur. Whether I achieve the same in my second season here—only time will tell.”
No Extra Pressure as Spurs Aim for a Comeback
Despite the stakes being high, Postecoglou refused to acknowledge any additional pressure as Tottenham heads into a crucial night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“No, no extra pressure,” he stated when asked if Spurs’ status as one of the tournament favorites was weighing on him. “Obviously, we were disappointed with our performance in the first leg, but the key thing is that we didn’t make the tie impossible to recover from. It’s still very much in the balance.
“Yes, they have the advantage, but we’re playing at home, and if we can replicate the intensity and tempo we showed at the weekend, I believe we’ll give ourselves a real chance to progress. Should we advance, we know there will be another big challenge ahead, but for now, the sole focus is on delivering a strong performance tomorrow night. Everything else will take care of itself.”
Make-or-Break Moment for Postecoglou’s Spurs
With their season teetering on the edge, this second-leg clash against AZ Alkmaar could define Postecoglou’s debut campaign at Tottenham. A victory would keep their silverware hopes alive and offer a potential route back into the Champions League, but failure to progress would leave Spurs staring at another trophyless season and mounting questions over the Australian’s long-term project.
As tensions rise and scrutiny intensifies, all eyes will be on how Tottenham responds on the pitch—because for all the fiery exchanges off it, the ultimate answer will be delivered under the lights in North London.
Ange Postecoglou gets spiky at Tottenham in tense press conference as he’s grilled on feat clinched at Celtic
