15 September 2023 , 21:30
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Ange Postecoglou isn’t getting carried away by the honeymoon period of Tottenham’s stunning start to the season.
Neither, however, is the Premier League Manager of the Month spooked by the reminder that another Spurs boss, Nuno, received the same accolade in August 2021 - only to be sacked that November.
The Portuguese arrived on nowhere near the wave of optimism that Postecoglou has generated in north London. Three wins and a draw from his first four Premier League matches mean victory against Sheffield United will hand Spurs their best start to a league campaign since 1965-66.
All despite Harry Kane ’s defection to Bayern Munich in late August and a wholesale overhaul of a team that had cost three managers their jobs. “I don’t know what your honeymoon was like, but mine didn’t have me losing the greatest player in the history of this football club on the eve of a transfer window,” smiled Postecoglou.
“Also me trying to scramble to get players into the club, fighting for everything I do mate. That’s not what my honeymoon was about. My honeymoon was fairly relaxed and stress free, and very enjoyable. And I’m well aware after 28 years of the pitfalls of management, trust me.”
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That said, superstar Robbie Williams has penned a song about him, Spider Man actor Tom Holland is inspired by him and Gareth Bale has admitted he’d have loved to have played for him. “I’ve gone into this with my eyes wide open,” Postecoglu added.
“I’m not floating along thinking everything is going to be smooth. But, at the same time, there’s a reason this is happening. People aren’t doing it just from the goodness of their heart, they’re obviously encouraged by what they see.
Postecoglou has been named Premier League Manager of the Month (Alex Morton/Tottenham Hotspur FC/REX/Shutterstock)“And I’m not going to dismiss that because that’s what we’re trying to do, create a football club the supporters are excited about. But I don’t sit here and think this has come to me or been served on a platter.
“I’ve worked hard, really hard. It’s been a really tough period, nothing like my honeymoon.” Funnily enough, however, Postecoglu’s honeymoon didn’t sound as though it was absolutely stress free.
“We did a nice trip to Europe,” he said. “A bit of Paris, a bit of Venice, a bit of Athens, my wife lost her luggage which meant she obviously had to go and replace that and then the luggage turned up anyway. Cost me a fortune but it was wonderful!”
The Australian did reflect on the concern of £60million striker Richarlison who revealed in midweek that he intends to see a psychologist after just one Premier League goal in his 14 months since moving from Everton.
Postecoglou will start him tomorrow, explaining that the club has a support network for all of its players and that it will help Richarlison to balance his off-the-field issues with his work pressures.
“He’ll be involved,” he went on. “He trained and he's fine. We'll provide all the support he needs and guide him to be in a place where he's happy about himself. But he'll be involved. Absolutely.”