Tottenham Hotspur are, according to their former manager Ange Postecoglou, not a “big club.” The blunt assessment, delivered on the Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, cuts to the core of the North London side’s ambitions and challenges, revealing a deep-seated frustration with a risk-averse approach that Postecoglou believes consistently undermines their potential.
Postecoglou, who led Spurs to Europa League glory before being dismissed, didn’t mince words. He argued that Tottenham’s unwillingness to invest heavily in top-level wages prevents them from attracting the caliber of players needed to consistently challenge for Premier League supremacy. “When you look at the expenditure, particularly their wages structure, they’re not a big club,” he stated. “I saw that because when we were trying to sign players, we weren’t in the market for those players.”
The Australian manager’s comments come on the heels of yet another managerial change at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Thomas Frank recently relieved of his duties after a disappointing run of form. Postecoglou pointedly noted that Frank’s struggles were symptomatic of deeper, systemic issues within the club. “You know that he can’t be the only issue at the club,” he said. “It’s a curious club, Tottenham.”
Postecoglou’s tenure, while culminating in European success, was marked by a struggle to bridge the gap between fifth place and genuine title contention. He highlighted the financial constraints imposed by missing out on Champions League qualification, a factor that severely hampered his ability to strengthen the squad during the transfer window. Instead of pursuing established Premier League stars, Spurs opted for Dominic Solanke and a trio of teenage talents – Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, and Wilson Odobert.
“I thought: ‘How do you go from fifth to really challenging?’ Well, we had to sign Premier League-ready players,” Postecoglou explained. “But finishing fifth that year didn’t get us Champions League and we didn’t have the money, so we ended up signing Dom Solanke, who I was absolutely really keen on, I really like him, and three teenagers.” He contrasted this approach with that of clubs like Arsenal, who demonstrated a willingness to make significant financial commitments to acquire players like Declan Rice (, £100m). “Arsenal need players they will spend £100m on Declan Rice. I don’t see Tottenham doing that.”
Beyond the financial limitations, Postecoglou identified a pervasive mental block within the club, encapsulated by the often-derisive term “Spursy.” He described it as a deeply ingrained fear of taking risks, a reluctance to truly believe in their ability to win. “Spursy,” he affirmed, “One hundred per cent there is. And that was the thing I was trying to break.” He recounted an attempt to instill a winning mentality, famously stating “I always win things in my second year at a club,” a prediction he ultimately fulfilled with the Europa League title.
The manager even revealed a telling anecdote from before the Europa League final, where then-chairman Daniel Levy admitted to a history of near misses. “I even remember on the morning of the Europa League final, Daniel [Levy, the then chairman] came in and we had a coffee. The only thing he said to me, which was bizarre as a motivational point, was something like: ‘I’ve been in seven semi-finals and finals and we haven’t won one.’ But I know why he said that. Because of that [mentality].”
Postecoglou’s assessment isn’t simply a critique of Tottenham’s spending habits; it’s a broader indictment of a club seemingly trapped in a cycle of mediocrity. He suggests that the club’s motto, “To Dare Is To Do,” is at odds with its cautious approach to both recruitment and overall strategy. The club’s recent decision to part ways with Frank, after a poor run of results, only reinforces Postecoglou’s point – a revolving door of managers won’t solve the fundamental issues that plague Tottenham.
“There’s no guarantee whichever manager you bring in,” Postecoglou stated. “They’ve had world-class managers and they haven’t had success. And for what reason?” The question hangs heavy, a stark reminder that Tottenham’s problems run far deeper than the touchline.
The current situation at Tottenham, languishing in 16th place in the league at the time of Postecoglou’s comments, underscores the validity of his concerns. The club is at a crossroads, and the path forward remains uncertain. Whether they can overcome the ingrained mentality and financial constraints that Postecoglou identified will determine whether they can finally shed the “Spursy” tag and realize their potential as a genuine Premier League force.
