The Australian is running Tottenham with principle. But English football is not always good and nourishing,and Postecoglou is not always patient with deviation.
Tottenham are out of the Champions League race in Ange Postecoglou’s first season in north London and Arsenal are all but out of the title race after City’s 2-0 win.
Victory on Wednesday (AEST) would give Tottenham’s Champions League hopes a huge boost but would also gift their bitter rivals one hand on the Premier League trophy.
The Socceroos legend has taken the baton from Ange Postecoglou and Kevin Muscat at Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos,who have reached the final of the AFC Champions League.
The honeymoon ended some time ago but,after a 4-2 loss to Liverpool,the Australian coach and free-falling Tottenham could be headed for divorce if they don’t improve defensively next season.
Spurs are in a unique position:they have the chance to severely dent Arsenal’s title hopes,but also need their fiercest rivals to go as deep as possible in Europe for their own sake.
Three days after their final Premier League fixture,Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur will head to Melbourne to play Newcastle United. Two days after that match,Arsenal’s Matildas’-stacked women’s team will play at Marvel Stadium.
Spurs lost the physical and tactical battle,and failed to score in a league game for the first time this season.
Many players have spoken about getting “the call” from the Australian coach. At Celtic,there was a running joke he could have a career in recruitment.
Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal could be playing on the same night at the same venue as part of a potential double-header involving both the men’s and women’s A-League All Stars.
For Australians well-accustomed to the ways of Ange Postecoglou’s teams,this was a return to thrillingly familiar territory.