Ange Postecoglou has admitted there are some “outstanding candidates” waiting to take over if Tottenham decide to sack him.
With Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Brentford’s Thomas Frank expected to be in the running if Spurs move in a different direction, Postecoglou finds himself under growing pressure as a defining point in the season approaches.
Although the former Celtic manager’s job is likely to be on the line if his team lose their Europa League quarter-final to Eintracht Frankfurt this month, he said he was relaxed about the speculation over his position.
Postecoglou denied having any issue with Mauricio Pochettino’s remarks about wanting to return to Spurs one day and dismissed suggestions that talk over his future was a distraction before Thursday’s trip to Chelsea in the Premier League.
“I know what my responsibilities are and I am sure if the club decide to go in a different direction there are some outstanding candidates for it,” he said. “And you know what, maybe someone will think: ‘Ange Postecoglou is not a bad coach, maybe we’ll take a punt on him.’
“It doesn’t rock my world. It doesn’t consume me. I am here, I am passionate about what we’re doing. I was brought in to change the way the club plays, rejuvenate the squad and bring success. I am focused on that.”
Postecoglou, who said Dejan Kulusevski and Kevin Danso would miss the game, gave short shrift to the idea that Pochettino’s comments about managing Spurs again were disrespectful.
“If he wants to come back one day I hope it happens for him,” Postecoglou said. “We all have dreams and aspirations. You’re suggesting he is trying to put pressure on me? I don’t feel disrespected. I think if you ask Mauricio that question directly, you’d get a pretty clear answer as to what his intent was. I’m more focused on trying to make sure we win tomorrow night.”
Spurs are 14th, lost their Carabao Cup semi-final to Liverpool and went out of the FA Cup in the fourth round. Much rests on whether they can end their 17-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League, which would earn qualification for the Champions League.
Postecoglou has faced criticism over his tactics and training methods. He was speaking for the first time since telling Optus Sport that “a large portion of Tottenham fans” have lost faith in him. He also said he underestimated the impact European games would have on his side this season.
Elaborating on those remarks, Postecoglou admitted to regrets over not giving players who competed in international tournaments last summer more rest before a campaign in which Spurs have struggled with injuries. He acknowledged that players being pushed too hard during pre-season after they reach the latter stage of tournaments is the wrong approach.
“In retrospect I should have looked at it from a different perspective in terms of when we introduce players into the first team to really drive into our season,” Postecoglou said. “We had a lot of players on international duty who came back pretty late. Players need a good two- to three-week block of training before they play.”
Postecoglou was asked whether he would deviate from his attacking approach and try to make it boring against Chelsea, who have struggled to penetrate low blocks recently.
“No, mate,” he said. “Sorry to disappoint. We’ll go there and have a crack and see if it’ll be a good game and hopefully we’ll come out on top.”
