"Worst experience I've had as a football manager" - Ange Postecoglou makes big claim after Tottenham's recent loss to Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou opened up about their recent 2-0 loss to Manchester City at home on May 14 in the Premier League. He described the game to be his "worst experience" in his managerial career.
Manchester City needed a win against Spurs to maintain their stronghold in the title race. Meanwhile, Arsenal fans were hoping for Tottenham's victory to give the Gunners a better shot at claiming the league title. However, the north London rivalry resulted in a good faction of the Spurs fanbase hoping to lose against City.
In his pre-match press conference ahead of their clash against Sheffield United on May 19, Ange said of the match:
"That is probably the worst experience I’ve had as a football manager in a game. Because once I realised that I got it wrong in terms of what the atmosphere was going to be like and what people felt.
"I got a real anxiety within me of what happens if Man City, who are the best team in the world and who were disposing of teams quite easily in the lead-up, four at Brighton, wherever they played they scored 15, 16 goals in the last four games, what if we play as well as they can but they beat us 5-0."
He added that the game made him doubt if people would question his integrity:
"I got in cold sweats thinking about people questioning my integrity and the people I work with. Even watching the game back, there was a comment somebody mentioned to me in commentary saying, ‘Tottenham are having a real go here.’
"You are laughing about it, but that is 26 years of my life. If nothing else people should know about me, I love this game. I’m very principled."
Speaking about the defeat against Pep Guardiola's squad, Ange Postecoglou added:
"I would hate to think, as Manchester City could have done to us, we are on the end of a heavy defeat and people would be questioning whether I prepared the team. And before people say ‘that’s not going to happen’, we know on social media that would have happened. 100 per cent. And I would be up here trying to defend myself."
After a goalless first half, Manchester City opened the scoring in the 51st minute with Erling Haaland's goal from an assist by Kevin De Bruyne. The Norwegian striker doubled the score (90+1') by netting a penalty after Pedro Porro committed a foul on Jérémy Doku in the box. Although they created multiple chances, Tottenham failed to score while committing 14 fouls and receiving three bookings.
Manchester City forward sends message on social media after 2-0 win against Tottenham
Erling Haaland scored two goals to lead Manchester City to victory against Tottenham Hotspur. After the game, he shared a photo of him celebrating his second goal on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption:
"Job's not finished"
The caption is assumed to be regarding City's last match in the Premier League this season against West Ham United at the Etihad on Sunday, May 19. This game week also decides who claims the league title as City are currently on top of the table with 88 points. Second-placed Arsenal, who face Everton at home, are behind by only two points.
If City bag victory against the Hammers, they will be crowned league champions for the fourth consecutive year. The Gunners, meanwhile, will have to defeat Everton and hope Manchester City drop points to secure their first title in 21 years. If Mikel Arteta's side win and City draw their fixture, the Gunners will claim the title based on goal difference. Arsenal have the advantage with a goal difference of 61, while City's is 60.