'You'll miss me when I'm gone': Spurs coach Postecoglou

AFP , Friday 29 Nov 2024

Ange Postecoglou launched an impassioned defence of his attacking approach on Friday, saying he is "not interested" in pragmatism after Tottenham's 2-2 draw with Roma -- the latest episode in an inconsistent season.

Postecoglou
Tottenham Hotspur's Greek-Australian Head Coach Ange Postecoglou reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on November 23, 2024. Photo: AFP

 

Spurs were 2-1 up heading into added time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but veteran defender Mats Hummels snatched a late equaliser for Claudio Ranieri's team.

It came just days after Spurs hammered Premier League champions Manchester City 4-0 at the Etihad.

Spurs are sixth in the English top flight ahead of Sunday's match against mid-table Fulham, with six wins and five defeats so far this season.

Australian coach Postecoglou said he would stick to his attacking principles despite his team's slip-ups.

"There's plenty of room for pragmatism in all walks of life and in football as well," he said at his pre-match press conference. "But I'm just not interested in it.

"I don't know why I need to change my approach to be like everyone else wants me to be. I'll continue to push this team to be a little bit different, play football in a different way.

"Maybe when I'm long gone you'll all pine for my entertainment, and you'll have had your fill of pragmatism.

"But look, if we were pragmatic I'd say at 2-0 up at City away, we'd have probably settled for 2-0 and we wouldn't have got the victory we did and made it a special moment for our club."

Postecoglou said his approach was geared towards long-term success for the club, who have not won silverware since 2008.

"At the moment what do we have? We don't have a hell of a lot," he said. "We haven't achieved anything yet, we haven't had success, we haven't done all those things we want to do.

"So, if I start being pragmatic now then maybe we'll never get there. Last night we weren't at our highest level but I thought for 20 minutes we were as exciting as we've been since I've been here... we were exciting to watch. And that's what I want."

He hinted at potential signings in the January transfer window, saying he had spoken with technical director Johan Lange.

"Last year, we ended up doing a little bit of business which I think helped us but nothing is concrete now because January is always tricky and a lot will be dependent on where we are squad-wise," he said.

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