Postecoglou claims he was asked to lose to damage Arsenal title bid
Ange Postecoglou has hit out at what he feels are double standards in the narrative at Tottenham amid the “hysteria” around qualification for Europe this season. Spurs are 16th in the Premier League following their 2-1 defeat by Nottingham Forest on Monday and Postecoglou is under huge pressure as the campaign nears its conclusion.
Postecoglou could be replaced as Tottenham manager at the end of the season, regardless of how they fare in the Europa League. Spurs face Bodo/Glimt in the semifinal of the competition, knowing they will book a place in next season’s Champions League if they win the Europa League.
But before the trip to Anfield to play Liverpool on Sunday, where Arne Slot’s side got the points they needed to secure the Premier League title, Postecoglou took aim at the narrative around the clubs chasing European spots at the top end of the league during his pre-match press conference.
“I love the frenzy around finishing fifth this year,” Postecoglou said. “They’re all brilliant, aren’t they? We finished fifth last year. Why is it such a disaster that we finished fifth? That’s what you need to ask everyone and yourselves… around this time last year, I was asked to lose a game, and I was wrong for wanting to win it.
“But we finished fifth last year, yet it’s not a good story. A better story is my tenure has been a disaster and it continues to be. I just think that the kind of hysteria that is surrounding what’s happening at the moment is all premeditated for a certain outcome. Hopefully we can defy that.”
Postecoglou was referring to May last year, when Spurs played Manchester City knowing a win for them would benefit rivals Arsenal. Spurs had lost four successive games going into the City match and the Australian manager rejected the idea they would throw the match just to spite Arsenal.
Tottenham lost 2-0 anyway, but his response to the suggestion was scathing. “I’m here fighting tooth and nail every single day for everything I can get for this football club because that’s my responsibility,” he said.
Speaking on Friday Postecoglou added: “We are well aware our league form and league position is not good enough. But we also know there is an unbelievable opportunity on the horizon.
“I think irrespective of, this club has had many seasons and a lot of clubs have had seasons where they have done outstandingly well in the league but don’t have the opportunity we have right now of being in the final four of a major European competition.”
- Words, except headline, from co.uk
