Postecoglou Says Tottenham Is Not a 'Big Club' Because of Money

Ange Postecoglou, who used to manage Tottenham, said that the club has nice buildings but does not spend enough money to be called a 'big club' in football. He thinks other teams have more money for players.
By Newsroom | Football, England |

Tottenham Manager Ange Postecoglou has made a stark assessment of his former club, Tottenham Hotspur, stating that despite impressive infrastructure, the club is not financially a "big club" in the context of elite football competition. His remarks come in the wake of the recent sacking of manager Thomas Frank and provide a comparative viewpoint, suggesting Arsenal operates at a different level.

Context of the Declarations

Ange Postecoglou, speaking on "The Overlap," a football discussion program, offered his perspective on Tottenham's standing in the Premier League. His comments, published across multiple outlets, touch upon player acquisition strategies, club ambition, and the perceived gap between public perception and financial reality. These statements emerge in the immediate aftermath of Thomas Frank's dismissal as Tottenham manager. Frank's departure follows a period of struggling league form, with the club reported to be in 16th place at the time of his sacking.

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Ange Postecoglou brutally claims Tottenham are NOT a big club as he weighs in on Thomas Frank's sacking - and explains why Arsenal are streets ahead! - 1

  • Postecoglou managed Tottenham for two years.

  • His tenure included winning the Europa League, Tottenham's first trophy in 17 years.

  • The club is noted for its state-of-the-art stadium and training facilities.

  • The period saw significant player injuries, with one report detailing 1,553 player-days lost to injury across a season.

Evidence of Postecoglou's Assessment

Postecoglou's remarks highlight a perceived disconnect between Tottenham's stated ambitions and their financial capabilities, particularly concerning player transfers.

Ange Postecoglou brutally claims Tottenham are NOT a big club as he weighs in on Thomas Frank's sacking - and explains why Arsenal are streets ahead! - 2

  • "They’ve built an unbelievable stadium, unbelievable training facilities, but when you look at the expenditure, particularly the wages structure, they’re not a big club," is a recurring quote across several reports.

  • He indicated that his own transfer targets, described as "Premier League ready players," were beyond the club's financial reach during his time there. This included players that "big clubs" would typically pursue.

  • The club's transfer policy under his observation involved signing "three teenagers" alongside Dominic Solanke, a strategy Postecoglou viewed as insufficient for elevating the team from a fifth-place finish to challenging for the top positions.

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"If we're going to go from fifth to there, that's what the other big clubs would do in that moment."

"I felt like Tottenham as a club were saying: ‘We’re one of the big boys.’ And the reality is I don’t think they are.”

Financial Discrepancy and Ambition

Postecoglou's core argument centers on the financial resources available to Tottenham when compared to other leading clubs. He suggests that while the club possesses modern infrastructure, its spending power and wage commitments do not align with the characteristics of a top-tier club.

Ange Postecoglou brutally claims Tottenham are NOT a big club as he weighs in on Thomas Frank's sacking - and explains why Arsenal are streets ahead! - 3

  • Infrastructure vs. Expenditure: Tottenham's "unbelievable stadium and training facilities" are acknowledged. However, the critical assessment lies in the "expenditure, particularly the wages structure."

  • Transfer Limitations: Postecoglou expressed frustration at being unable to sign players he deemed necessary for competitive advancement, implying that the club's financial ceiling prevented such moves.

  • The "Big Club" Metric: The definition of a "big club" for Postecoglou appears intrinsically linked to the financial capacity for significant player investment, a metric he feels Tottenham does not currently meet.

Player Acquisition Strategy and Youth Development

A significant point of discussion for Postecoglou is Tottenham's approach to player recruitment, specifically the emphasis on acquiring young talent.

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Ange Postecoglou brutally claims Tottenham are NOT a big club as he weighs in on Thomas Frank's sacking - and explains why Arsenal are streets ahead! - 4

  • Youth Signings: The acquisition of three teenagers alongside Dominic Solanke is cited as an example of a strategy that Postecoglou believes is insufficient for immediate top-level success. He stated, "Those three teenagers are outstanding young players, brilliant, and I think they’ll be great players for Tottenham, but they’re not going to get you from fifth to fourth and third."

  • Missed Targets: Postecoglou alluded to attempting to sign "Premier League ready players" whom he could not secure due to club policy or financial constraints. The identity of these specific targets remains unconfirmed in the provided data.

  • The "Spursy" Factor: One report mentions the term "'Spursy' exists," suggesting a recurring narrative or characteristic associated with the club's performance or ambition, which Postecoglou seems to critique.

Comparison with Arsenal

Postecoglou's assessment of Tottenham implicitly contrasts their situation with that of rivals like Arsenal, whom he suggests are operating at a higher level.

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  • Arsenal's Standing: The article titles indicate Postecoglou "explains why Arsenal are streets ahead." While the specifics of this comparison are not detailed in the provided summaries, the implication is that Arsenal's financial backing, transfer strategy, or overall operational model allows them to compete more effectively at the pinnacle of the league.

  • Postecoglou's Own Critique: His own tenure saw him struggle to achieve consistent top-four finishes, despite the Europa League success. His remarks suggest that the inherent structure of Tottenham limited his ability to bridge that gap, a challenge he implies Arsenal, with greater resources, has managed.

While direct expert analysis from unaffiliated parties is not detailed in the provided summaries, the context surrounding Postecoglou's comments offers points for consideration.

  • Thomas Frank's Sacking: The immediate trigger for discussing Tottenham's managerial situation appears to be Frank's dismissal. Postecoglou’s comments could be interpreted as a defense of managerial performance within a specific club context, suggesting that managerial changes alone do not address deeper structural issues.

  • Previous Managerial Performance: Postecoglou’s first season began strongly, with the "best ever ten-game start of any new manager in the Premier League." However, this initial success was not sustained, leading to scrutiny. Reports also mention that criticism against him was deemed "agenda-driven" by some.

  • Club Ambition vs. Reality: The phrase "To Dare Is To Do," Tottenham's motto, is contrasted with Postecoglou's perception of the club's actual operational capacity. This highlights a potential dissonance between public messaging and the tangible resources allocated to achieving stated goals.

Conclusion and Implications

Ange Postecoglou's declarations present a critical view of Tottenham Hotspur, asserting that their current financial standing and player investment strategies place them outside the circle of "big clubs" in contemporary football. His comments suggest that while the club boasts impressive facilities, its capacity to compete at the highest level is hindered by financial limitations, particularly in player acquisition and wage structures.

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  • Core Finding: Tottenham's infrastructure is advanced, but their financial expenditure and wage structure do not qualify them as a "big club."

  • Impact on Club Identity: The assessment challenges the club's self-perception and public image as a leading football entity.

  • Managerial Repercussions: The comments may influence future managerial appointments, setting expectations regarding transfer resources and the potential for immediate success.

  • Future Outlook: The implication is that significant financial investment, rather than solely managerial changes or the development of young talent, is required for Tottenham to ascend to the status Postecoglou reserves for the truly "big clubs" of the Premier League.

Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did Ange Postecoglou say about Tottenham?
He said that Tottenham has nice buildings but does not have enough money to be a 'big club' in football.
Q: Why does Postecoglou think Tottenham is not a big club?
He believes the club's spending on players and wages is not as high as other top teams.
Q: Did Postecoglou try to sign players for Tottenham?
Yes, he wanted to sign players ready for the Premier League, but he felt the club's money stopped him from getting them.
Q: How does this compare to other clubs?
Postecoglou thinks teams like Arsenal are at a different level because they can spend more money on players.