The fact that Tottenham is not a big club is a statement that has sparked debate once again on the actual status of Spurs in English football. Ange Postecoglou, a former manager at the club, had no reservations regarding his experience within the club. In a speech to the Stick to Football podcast of The Overlap, he cast doubt on the ambition of Tottenham in the transfer market.
Postecoglou singled out spending power. He emphasized wages and investment in general. In his opinion, Spurs are not run as elite units in the Premier League. He argued that this fact became evident in the process of recruiting players. Tottenham, he explained, were not even competing on high-end targets.
His remarks follow another violent week of the club. Head coach Thomas Frank was fired by Tottenham due to a dismal spell of league results. Frank had taken over Postecoglou who had been fired despite securing the Europa League last season. That trophy was also the end of a long time without silverware. Nevertheless, domestic form fell apart. Spurs came 17 th, and only five points off relegation.
Postecoglou is sure that the essence of the problem is risk aversion. He claimed that to win bold decisions have to be made. In his opinion, Tottenham desire to appear like a big club but not to behave like one. The divide between picture and action is still hurting them.
The problem is enhanced by managerial instability. Frank was the fifth full-time coach since the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino in 2019. Fans remain frustrated. The theme of unsuccessful transfers is common. Frank wanted Morgan Gibbs-White last summer, and Tottenham had been robbed. Their bid to Eberechi Eze also was hijacked by Arsenal.
Postecoglou hinted at the idea that the experience of the managers is not effective in this type of structure. He also doubted the capacity of Frank to know the restrictions he was taking over. He said world-class coaches have failed in such circumstances already.
The worry is obvious to the Spurs fans. The question as to whether Tottenham is one of the elite in the world of football is not going to disappear until the club can tie its own shoe.
