Opinion: We (you, me, and everyone else) need to go all-in on Ange Postecoglou
After the season we just endured as a family, I am glad to say it is over. Tottenham Hotspurs ended the season in 5th place (Premier League). After the off-season we had, many of the fanbase would consider this a success. And the big reason? Ange Postecoglou is the catalyst, and more praise should be placed in his direction.
The past few weeks have been hell, to say the least, not only for the club but for Ange himself. From the downturn in form, injuries to key players, the whole “should we lose or beat Manchester City to help Arsenal,” you could see the strain on Ange during each press conference.
During the press conference after the Manchester City loss, Ange stated that this was one of the “worst” experiences of his football manager career.
“I think the last 48 hours has revealed to me that the foundations are fairly fragile, mate,” Postecoglou said.
“That’s just what I think. I just think the last 48 hours have revealed a fair bit to me. That’s alright. It just means I’ve got to go back to the drawing board with some things (Independent.co.uk).”
Pressed on what he meant, Postecoglou responded: “Outside, inside, everywhere. It’s been an interesting exercise.”
Heck, there was even a situation during the game where Ange got into it with a Spurs supporter in the stands. It was a viral moment that not only shocked the fanbase, but caused many to look at themselves in the mirror regarding their attitude towards our club, the league title situation, and the type of organization that we would like to be.
Even with all of this, I suggest we look at the totality of the situation to see that Daniel Levy and the board got this decision correct with the hiring of Ange. How many managers could oversee the greatest striker and player of their club’s history leaving and still qualify for the Europa League and to be 3 points from earning Champions League altogether? Some fans at the beginning of the year said a seventh-place finish would even be reasonable.
Throughout the highs and lows of this campaign, the one constant has been Ange and his steadfast attitude to improvement. When we were at the top of the table, Ange never wavered in his suggestion that the Spurs needed to get better at the fundamentals of his system before he got comfortable. When the team was top four, he never changed his tune that there was much more needed before they would compete for the title, no matter how high or how soon expectations grew for the fan base.
As a fanbase, I have one request for us as we enter the new season.
It is time we back the manager with not only our words but our actions. We need to wholeheartedly believe that Ange will take us to heights Mauricio Pochettino could never achieve.
Ange will be the manager to break the years-long drought of no trophies, whether it is a league championship, domestic cup or international cup. If Levy gives Ange the proper tools and allows patience for Ange to build the team in the vision he has set for the club, the sky will be the limit for him.
But as a fan base, we need to give the gaffer time, patience, and support to ease the leadership at the club.
I understand the overall feelings of the fan base. The rollercoaster we took as a club going from first, to the shocking form drop from the end of October through the end of December. Then lasting two rounds in the FA Cup, the abysmal thrashing from Fulham, losing in an uninspiring manner to Chelsea, ending the year with a 3-0 victory to Sheffield United (ESPN.com).
Keep in mind, this was all just this season
And that was just this season. Last year, we endured Antonio Conte. Right before him? Nuno Espirito Santo. Before him was Jose Mourinho. All of this was after the most successful manager the club has seen in Pochettino. Remember when we were begging for him to come back? He took Chelsea and their money-blowing owner to a shocking sixth place behind our faithful team.
Tottenham need to go all-in on Ange
But Ange is our guy. This is our gaffer. To embrace all of him means to take the good and the bad of this high line, petal to the metal type football.
Do I believe this type of football will take us over the top?
Absolutely.
We are 4-5 strong pieces away from being a team that will be a force to be reckoned with. It is already noted that Ange is looking to bolster this squad with a slue of summer transfers (ESPN.com).
The club should add another creative midfielder, a couple of agile, defensive-minded midfielders, another winger, a clinical striker, and a solid inverted full-back. And with us qualifying for the Europa League, a strong bench for Ange to select from to account for injuries and drop in form should be enough.
Ange is a proven winner at every location he has staked his managerial flag. I don’t believe Tottenham will be any different if we give him what he needs. But for him to succeed, we as a unit, will need to move in lockstep with him to see the glory we are all craving to achieve. This means being mindful of the changes from mentality to fandom, to expectations.
He will take us over the top and we should give him the support he needs.
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