Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou called the 0-2 defeat by Manchester City last Tuesday the worst experience in his coaching career.
Before the aforementioned match in North London, Tottenham knew that they would help Arsenal seize the initiative in the Premier League title race if they took points away from City.
Postecoglou was disappointed by many Tottenham fans who wanted their team to lose and thus annoy Arsenal. Ange was afraid that in the event of a major defeat, he would be accused of giving up this match.
“That was probably my worst experience as a head coach in football.”
“When I realized my mistake about what the atmosphere would be like and how people would feel, I felt uneasy. I thought: “What happens if Manchester City, the best team in the world, which crushes opponents quite easily, defeats us 5-0, even though we play as well as we can?”
“I break out in a cold sweat when I think that people doubt my honesty and the honesty of those with whom I work.”
“Even when I was watching the match, the commentator said during the broadcast: “Oh, Tottenham are really trying.”
“It’s funny to you, but this is 26 years of my life. First of all, people should know that I love this game. If we had suffered a major defeat, which Manchester City are able to inflict on us, I would hate to think that people doubt how I prepared the team.”
“I needed the guys, and I have to give them credit — they showed outstanding football that night. That was important for our football club. Otherwise, it would have cast a shadow over our football club. I don’t think anyone can say that Manchester City won easily.”
“The match could have turned out very differently, despite the fact that Manchester City was Manchester City,” Postecoglou was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.