Spurs Boss Postecoglou Calls Man City Match His ‘Worst Experience

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou admitted he experienced “cold sweats” over fears his integrity might be questioned following his team’s midweek 2-0 loss to Manchester City.

The former Australia boss confessed he was wrong to dismiss suggestions that Spurs fans might prefer their team to lose to deny their north London rivals, Arsenal, the Premier League title. City’s win put them two points ahead of Arsenal going into the season’s final day.

Despite a subdued atmosphere, Spurs challenged Pep Guardiola’s side, with Stefan Ortega’s late save from Son Heung-min preventing an equalizer.

“That’s probably the worst experience I’ve had as a football manager,” Postecoglou said at his pre-match press conference on Friday. He described his anxiety about the possibility of City, a dominant team, defeating Spurs heavily and the subsequent questioning of his integrity.

Postecoglou had a heated exchange with a supporter during the match and later reflected on the fragility of the foundations laid in his first season.

Spurs need only avoid defeat against relegated Sheffield United on Sunday to secure fifth place and Europa League qualification. However, Postecoglou stressed the need to cultivate a winning mentality at a club that hasn’t won a trophy since 2008.

“Supporters are there to back their club,” he said. “They’ve done their bit this year, especially in our late wins at the stadium. But the last game, I didn’t believe fans would want us to lose. I’m not a Spurs supporter, they are. They’re the custodians.