Ange Postecoglou says he has learned from big mistake he made against Chelsea
Following his cupping of the ears celebration directed at the Tottenham away end at Stamford Bridge, Ange Postecoglou has now admitted that he has learned from a big mistake he made on Thursday.
Tottenham Hotspur fans don’t need reminding of the club’s dire record at Stamford Bridge. One win in the last 35 years, and that came back in 2018.
Of course, Thursday night offered a shot at redemption, a chance to rewrite the script, but instead, it played out just like so many others. Another visit to West London, another defeat to the Blues.
And for Ange Postecoglou, it marked his fourth straight loss against Chelsea since arriving in North London. It’s quickly becoming a fixture that haunts him.
Ange Postecoglou admits celebrating Tottenham goals is a mistake
While it was a clash against Enzo Maresca and Chelsea on paper, it felt like the Tottenham boss was battling his own supporters too.
Postecoglou was spotted cupping his ears towards the away end just after substitute Pape Matar Sarr drew Spurs level—a goal later chalked off by VAR for a foul in the build-up.
The celebration didn’t sit well with supporters, as many Tottenham fans took issue with Postecoglou’s gesture and the explanation that followed.
Speaking to football.london, Postecoglou has now fronted up, admitting fault. He maintained that the gesture wasn’t aimed at frustrated fans, but rather, was an attempt to lift the atmosphere and rally the away end in what he felt was a key moment.
He said: “I get that is the main talking point after last night, which is kind of consistent as people tend to focus on the internals of Tottenham rather than the externals.
“I made a mistake last night in that I celebrated a goal. I purposely, I think since VAR came in up in Scotland and in the first game there was four or five incidents and we were standing around, I made a conscious decision that I’m not going to really celebrate goals as there’s no point as you have to wait for everything to get checked off.
“Last night I felt we needed something and getting that goal which was a cracking goal by Pape but the supporters obviously weren’t happy with my decision which is fine.
“My response was to celebrate and to get them to make some noise and get behind the team. I thought it was a real momentum shifter in that moment because we did finish stronger. I guess my mistake was celebrating a goal that VAR has defeated me again and I won’t be doing that again.”
Tension is growing between Spurs fans and Postecoglou
Postecoglou’s recent behaviour is starting to grate on sections of the Spurs’ support, and that’s a dangerous path for any manager to walk.
Just days ago, Postecoglou admitted he wasn’t prepared for Spurs’ European campaign this season—saying if he had the chance, he’d do things differently.
That admission didn’t land well. Many Spurs fans called Ange’s comments naive, while others felt he was beginning to pile on the excuses.
Following the loss to Fulham, Postecoglou was also seen getting into it with a fan in the stands—only for Djed Spence and Mathys Tel to step in and diffuse the situation.
The signs aren’t good. Right now, Postecoglou is losing the backing of the very people he needs on his side. And if Spurs fall short against Frankfurt over two legs in the Europa League, it’s hard to see how he stays in the job.
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