Ange Postecoglou responds after Jamie Carragher comments on Tottenham playing style

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·20 de dezembro de 2024

Ange Postecoglou responds after Jamie Carragher comments on Tottenham playing style

Spurs continue to divide opinion with high-risk approach

Ange Postecoglou insisted all opinions about Tottenham are valid but said he finds some personal criticism of himself “offensive”.

Vídeos OneFootball

The Spurs manager has adopted a front-foot style of play since taking over ahead of last season.

His strong principles and risk-taking style of play, which has produced significant wins as well as heavy defeats, has divided opinion.

Speaking on Sky Sports during coverage of Tottenham’s 4-3 Carabao Cup win over Manchester United on Thursday, pundit Jamie Carragher said: “My criticism over Tottenham under the manager is they never change how they play no matter what the game state is.

“I don’t think football should be played the same from minute 1-90.”

Addressing all forms of criticism of the way Spurs play, Postecoglou said: “Look, it’s all valid. But I don’t need validation from anybody to do what I do. Whether you agree with my approach or not, there is validity in both, and I don’t have an issue with that.

“I love the fact people are talking about our games and analysing our games. You have to be prepared for scrutiny, you have to be prepared for criticism. It’s how you react to that that is more important.”

Postecoglou is the first Australian to manage in the Premier League. He accepts he does not fit the mold, but believes he deserves more respect from some quarters.

“There is some stuff out there that I find — and at the appropriate time I’ll call it out — just offensive towards me.

“I’m up here with a silly accent, and maybe I don’t take things as seriously as people want me to and I’m fairly dismissive of them, but that’s all right. I love my life and I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.”