Ange Postecoglou says he remains unfazed by growing criticism from Tottenham fans, insisting he will not let crowd frustration distract him from the job at hand, despite a difficult night at Stamford Bridge where Spurs suffered a 1-0 loss to Chelsea.
The defeat Tottenham’s second in a row has intensified scrutiny on the Australian, whose side now sits 14th in the Premier League. Enzo Fernandez’s 50th-minute header was enough to hand the hosts victory, condemning Spurs to their 16th league loss this season and extending their winless run to four matches.
The situation has led to an increasingly vocal section of the fanbase turning on Postecoglou. Chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” echoed around Stamford Bridge after the manager brought on Brennan Johnson and Pape Sarr for Wilson Odobert and Lucas Bergvall midway through the second half.
But while speculation around his future has intensified, Postecoglou responded with characteristic composure.
“It doesn’t bother me. It’s not the first time they have booed my substitutions,” he said after the match. “If that’s what the fans feel, if they feel I’m not doing a good job they have every right to express it. They pay their money, they follow the club. They are the ones who will be here long after I have gone.”
“It doesn’t affect me. What I try and focus on is the things I can control. I can’t control the fans. I can control our football and that’s what I concentrate on.”
Postecoglou was also quick to clarify a moment of confusion that followed a disallowed goal by Pape Sarr, which was overturned by VAR. After the ball hit the net, the Spurs manager appeared to gesture toward fans by cupping his ear — a move some took as a response to the criticism.
He denied any suggestion of provocation.
“Jeez mate. It’s incredible how things are interpreted. I wanted them to get excited and enjoy what we thought was a goal,” he explained. “I’m at some disconnect with the world these days. If you want to read into it that I was trying to make a point… I was just trying to get some excitement.”
The pressure is undeniable. With Tottenham facing the threat of their worst league finish since 1993-94, Postecoglou remains under intense scrutiny. But as the noise around him grows louder, the manager is staying focused on his mission even if it means standing alone.
