‘Its origins, its history’ – Postecoglou suggests he and Spurs are a match made in heaven

Ange Postecoglou has admitted that his footballing philosophy is a perfect match for Tottenham, given the club’s history and identity.

While Spurs have not been as successful (in terms of silverware) over recent decades as they have been in the past, the one thing that has always been a non-negotiable for the Tottenham faithful is that the team play an attacking brand of football.

That is perhaps why Daniel Levy‘s decision to go for ‘winners’ who play counter-attacking football – Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte – backfired.

Spurs fans have been delighted that Postecoglou has brought the club’s traditions back, with many suggesting over the last couple of months that they have got their ‘Tottenham back’ (The Athletic).

When Postecoglou was asked if he feels he is at a club that fits his philosophy, he told The Daily Mail: “I certainly feel very comfortable with it, mate. Its origins, its history, how it looks at itself.

“I really felt that if I came in and made the kind of impact I really wanted to, it would resonate with the people who really love this football club because historically that’s what it’s been based on.

“I try to create football teams that make an impact. But what does that mean? In our game, you have to win things otherwise it’s not sustainable. But it’s also teams that make an impact because the way they play, the memories they leave. That’s my goal here, you know?”

Postecoglou put his money where his mouth is in the London derby against Chelsea earlier this month, refusing to abandon his high-risk, attacking approach even after his side were reduced to nine men.

Could Ange Postecoglou be Daniel Levy’s best appointment?

The Australian was questioned in some quarters for choosing to play that way (talkSPORT) and while he acknowledged that he understands the criticism, he made it clear that he would not change his methods under any circumstances.

When asked if he has any regrets about how he set up his side in the second-half of the London derby, the Spurs head coach responded:: “I don’t know any other way.

“In the broad church of football philosophies, I have stayed really strict to one religion. I went into a library of football books and got stuck on one section that was about attacking football.

“It’s the only space I feel comfortable in. If you asked me to set up a team to get a point by playing defensive football I could probably do it but I wouldn’t have anywhere near the conviction as if you asked me to try and win 3-0.

“I actually understand what people are saying about that night. If I was on the outside I would be saying the same thing. But this is the test for me, isn’t it?.

“The number of times I hear managers saying: ‘I would like to play this way but I don’t have the players’. I just think: ‘Just do it mate’.

“All eyes are on me now. The scrutiny will come but more importantly, the players will see and the staff will see that I am not changing.”

Spurs Web Opinion

The only ethos underlining most sports at the highest level, including football, is winning. The focus solely on winning has only increased as the game has gotten more professional over the last couple of decades.

However, for a rare few, like Pep Guardiola, Johan Cruyff and even Tottenham’s very own Bill Nicholson, there is an underpinning view on how one should win. Ange Postecoglou evidently belongs to that school of thought, which is why I am over the moon to have him in charge of Spurs.