Postecoglou explains why he does not mind the criticism

Ange Postecoglou admits that he enjoys being challenged, insisting that the criticism from the outside world does not bother him.

Postecoglou enjoys the struggle and the success

While Postecoglou’s first season at Tottenham was mostly positive, with the Australian being praised for the positive changes he had implemented, that has not been the case so far this campaign.

Expectations have risen in his second season in charge and the Spurs boss has come in for a lot of criticism over the past month, with many questioning if his methods will work at this level.

There is a sense that the tide is turning against Postecoglou but the 59-year-old insisted that he pays no attention to what is being written and said about him, insisting that he remains focussed on working hard and achieving his lofty ambitions.

When asked about how he deals with criticism, the Tottenham boss told Football.London: “I ignore the tide and just keep swimming. Others may feel that way and if they do, there’s nothing wrong with that.

“You need to embrace the struggle. You don’t get success just by everything rolling out perfectly. There are times when you’ve just got to roll your sleeves up and keep going.

“Whether that’s swimming against the tide, running up the hill, going against the wind, you can use whatever metaphor you want, that’s great, that’s what you need. But I ignore it because I don’t think that’s going to help me in any way. What’s the best process for me is to stay steely-eyed focused on what I think I need to do to get us to where we want to.

“It’s all the same. It’s been a constant in my career, but I don’t think I’m in a unique space. I keep saying to people, show me a success story and I’ll show you a struggle. It’s not something that’s unique to me, it’s universal. People forget the struggle and look at the end bit, but you need to go through that.

“That’s the time that tests your resolve, tests your belief, tests everything you want to do. This is no different to anything else I’ve ever done. It’s exactly the same process.”

Postecoglou has faced tough challenges before Spurs

Many will consider this challenge at Spurs to be the biggest one of Postecoglou’s career but the Aussie coach disagrees, pointing to the difficulties he faced early in his career as the most defining.

When asked if this is the most difficult job he has had, the former Celtic boss responded: “I think the most difficult job I had was the first one because I reckon if I had failed my first one I wouldn’t have got anything else.

“I was coaching my hometown club. The club I grew up with and the only reason I got the opportunity is probably because they knew me at that club. I don’t think I would have got an opportunity anywhere else if I wasn’t successful.

“After five games we had no wins and were sitting bottom of the table. So that was pretty difficult. They were all challenging, but that’s why I love it. That’s why I do what I do and I enjoy it.

“I have always said I enjoy the struggle and the difficult bits, and who knows how it all ends? I don’t know, no one knows. For me, it is just about doing what I believe is the right thing in my eyes to get success and hopefully change the fortunes of this fantastic football club.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Ange is an extremely experienced coach and a wise man, who knows what makes people tick and how to overcome adversity. However, there is no doubt that this is the biggest challenge of his career so far and there will continue to be doubters until he proves that he can succeed at this level.

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