Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has expressed his confusion over criticism towards his claims that he ‘always wins things’ in his second year at clubs.
The Australian made the factually correct comment after Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal in Sunday’s north London derby.
Some argue Postecoglou’s comments might have put more pressure on him, given that Tottenham have not lifted any silverware since the League Cup in 2008.
Ahead of Tottenham’s third round Carabao Cup clash with Coventry tomorrow, a reporter brought up Postecoglou’s comments during his pre-match press conference.
The subject appeared to frustrate Postecoglou, who fired back: ‘It’s amazing isn’t it? I just stated a fact and it seems like… am I supposed to lie or say it never happened?
Ange Postecoglou has hit back at criticism towards his comments that he ‘always wins things’ in his second year at clubs
Postecoglou made the comments after Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend
The Australian questioned a reporter whether he was ‘supposed to lie’ and not speak the truth
‘But no, it’s confusing to me how people are making a big deal out of something, I’m not sure how am I supposed to answer something that is true.
‘Like, If I don’t win anything in the second year this year and come out next year and say ‘well I always win something,’ well no that’s not true.
‘I’ve just said something that’s true. And it seems like it’s upset a lot of people for some reason.’
The reporter responded that it was ‘unusual’ for a manager to be so ‘bashful’ about their team’s prospects.
Postecoglou though appeared to be baffled by any suggestion that his comment was ‘boasting’.
He hit back: ‘Do you really think it’s me boasting? How am I supposed to answer something that’s true? Is it to say, well actually, no, it wasn’t that important, they were easy competitions and they don’t mean anything.
‘If you’ve achieved something aren’t you supposed to say ‘yes, I have and that’s what I hope to do again’.
‘I’m not really sure why people misconstrue it as me trying to boast about something, I answered a question, and that’s always happened, my plan is for it to happen again this year and if it doesn’t happen then I can’t answer the question the same way next year.’
A single goal from Arsenal defender Gabriel was enough to separate the two rivals on Sunday.
Postecoglou has big pressure to continue his run of winning trophies in the second year at clubs, has Tottenham have not lifted a single piece of silverware since the 2007-08 season
Tottenham will look to bounce back from their loss to Arsenal when they play Coventry in the third round of the Carabao Cup
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the Tottenham boss was asked if he could replicate the second-season winning streak he’s maintained with every club he’s managed through his career.
Postecoglou struck a defiant tone in his response, but could barely conceal his irritation at the journalist’s who asked whether he could win a trophy in his second season at Spurs.
‘Yeah, absolutely,’ the Australian manger responded. ‘Am I going to answer the question or are you going to keep asking it?
‘No, absolutely. I’ll correct myself. I don’t usually win things, I always win things in my second year.