Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has downplayed any potential conflict with Tottenham fans after their chants during the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Thursday. He clarified that his gestures weren`t directed negatively at the fans but were instead an attempt to encourage more support during the game.
Following what appeared to be an equalizing goal at Stamford Bridge by Pape Matar Sarr, Postecoglou gestured towards the Tottenham supporters. This occurred shortly after some fans chanted “you don`t know what you`re doing” in response to his substitutions of Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert for Sarr and Brennan Johnson.
However, the potential celebration was short-lived as the goal was disallowed due to a foul by Sarr. Despite the tension after the disallowed goal, Postecoglou maintained that his intention was to rally the fans to support the team, believing they could still win the match.
“It`s amazing how things are misunderstood,” Postecoglou commented. “We had just scored a goal. I simply wanted to hear the fans cheer. We`ve been through a difficult period, and I thought it was a fantastic goal. I wanted to get them energized.”
“At that moment, I felt we had the opportunity to go on and win the game. I felt the momentum was shifting in our favor. The booing doesn`t bother me. It`s not the first time they`ve booed my substitutions or decisions. That`s their right, but we had just scored.”
“I was just hoping to generate excitement. If people want to interpret my actions as making a point, they are welcome to. We`ve faced challenges, but I sensed a change in momentum. I thought if the fans truly got behind the team, we could gain the upper hand.”
The defeat at Stamford Bridge marked Tottenham`s fourth consecutive Premier League game without a win, placing them 14th in the league standings. This loss was their 20th across all competitions this season, equaling the number of losses from August 2016 to September 2018 under Mauricio Pochettino. While there has been some discontent towards Postecoglou recently, the chants directed at him during the Chelsea game were particularly noticeable.
“It really doesn`t affect me,” Postecoglou stated regarding the chants. “If that`s how the fans feel, and if they believe I`m not performing well, they are entitled to express their opinions. They spend their money to support the club.
They are the constant presence at the club, long after I`m gone. So, it doesn`t bother me. I focus on what I can control. I can`t control the fans, or many other things, but I can control our football, our playing style, and our conduct. That`s where my focus lies.”
Postecoglou reiterated his criticism of VAR following a lengthy review that led to the disallowed goal. He criticized the prolonged review process, stating it was “irrelevant” whether Sarr fouled Caicedo.
