In his latest press conference, Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has been commenting on the supporters’ decision to protest ticket prices, and insists his role at the club is not to tell people how to feel or behave.
Despite initial trepidation surrounding his appointment earlier this summer, it seems many Tottenham fans have been won over by Ange Postecoglou now.
The Australian quickly allayed any concerns among the supporters with his penchant for attacking, front-foot football and his general amiability when giving interviews.
Being a nice guy who likes his team to score goals will not be enough, of course, and fans will expect to see results on the pitch this season. However, for now at least, it appears there is a strong connection between those in the stands and the playing and coaching staff.
The same cannot be said for the supporters’ sentiments towards the club’s ownership and the chairman, Daniel Levy, however. After the club planned to increase ticket prices this season, Tottenham fans have been rallying against the proposals (The Athletic).
Ange Postecoglou wants to unite the fans
Speaking to the press (via Football.London), Postecoglou appeared keen to distance himself from these kinds of matters, but insisted he is here to try and make the fans happy.
He said: “I think my role within that is to make sure the stuff I am in control of, that they respond to it in a positive way because ultimately it is their football club.
“To be fair it’s not an unusual space for me. I know people talk about the treble I won at Celtic but the beginnings [there] were very similar, there was a lot going on, on and off the pitch, at the time and it’s only natural when football clubs have a disappointing period that there is going to be that environment with people unhappy.
On what he can do, Postecolgou added: “My role within that is to hopefully get people to focus on what we’re all here for, and that is the football club, the players, the team and having success. There is no doubt that we will get there quick if we’re united on and off the field.
“But, I have never, and never will tell people how they should feel, how they should behave or the context of how to express their emotions. I think that is their right and they have earned their right to do that. My role within that is to try and produce a team that gets us united to what’s most important.”
Spurs Web Opinion
How much a ticket costs to watch Tottenham Hotspur has nothing to do with Ange Postecoglou, so I don’t blame him for sidestepping this one somewhat. His comments on the matter are perfect, and will further endear him to the fans with the way he has handled this.