Breaking news: Postecoglou Reveals Why Spurs Players Fear Their Own Roy Keane — Cristian Romero
Postecoglou Reveals Why Spurs Players Fear Their Own Roy Keane — Cristian Romero
The choice to part ways with Ange Postecoglou and install Thomas Frank in the dugout last summer has proven to be a costly miscalculation for Tottenham Hotspur. What was meant to be a fresh start instead spiralled into instability, with the Danish coach lasting barely eight months before being dismissed. By the time he left, Spurs were hovering just five points above the relegation zone — a far cry from the progress the club hierarchy had envisioned when they made the managerial switch.
In recent weeks, whispers have circulated suggesting that Frank’s downfall was not solely tactical or strategic, but partly influenced by tension with a senior figure in the dressing room. Yet interestingly, Postecoglou has now hinted that this very same individual was instrumental in delivering one of the club’s biggest recent successes — their triumph in the UEFA Europa League.
Postecoglou backs Cristian Romero’s fierce mentality
The player in question is Cristian Romero, a defender whose aggressive style and fiery personality have sparked debate among supporters and pundits alike. Some critics have accused him of acting as though he is bigger than the club, pointing to his on-field discipline issues and outspoken nature.
However, Postecoglou has publicly leapt to Romero’s defence, describing him not as a problem but as a priceless asset. Speaking during an appearance alongside Gary Neville, the former Spurs boss made it clear he admires the Argentine’s intensity and presence.
According to Postecoglou, Romero brings a rare edge to training sessions — the kind of edge that can intimidate even teammates. He compared the defender’s aura to that of Roy Keane, suggesting every squad would rather have such a fierce competitor on their side than face him as an opponent. For Postecoglou, that uncompromising mentality is precisely what fuels winning teams.
He even credited Romero as a decisive influence in Tottenham’s European final victory, recalling how the centre-back rallied the squad moments before kickoff, leading them toward their supporters’ end for a huddle. To the Australian coach, that gesture symbolised leadership, fearlessness, and an obsession with victory.
Fear, respect, and standards inside the dressing room
Postecoglou went further, revealing that Romero commands a mixture of respect and fear among teammates. He pointed out that the defender’s standards are shaped not only by club football but also by his experiences with the Argentina national team, where he has shared a dressing room with elite players and tasted international glory.
Mixing with stars such as Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martínez — both of Manchester United — has, in Postecoglou’s view, heightened Romero’s expectations. The defender wants Tottenham to match the ambition and recruitment drive he sees elsewhere, which may explain occasional outbursts or visible frustration.
A controversial leader — but an essential one
Romero’s disciplinary record and confrontational style have led to repeated calls from sections of the fanbase and media for him to be stripped of the captaincy or even dropped from the lineup. Critics argue that his tendency to push boundaries risks hurting the team.
Yet Postecoglou’s comments underline a different interpretation: that Romero’s intensity is not a flaw but a competitive weapon that simply needs to be channelled correctly. In elite sport, especially at the highest level of European competition, squads often rely on personalities who demand more from themselves and everyone around them.
His remarks ultimately reinforce the idea that, despite the controversy that sometimes surrounds him, Romero remains one of Tottenham’s most influential figures — a player whose mentality, presence, and refusal to accept mediocrity can shape results as much as tactics or formations.