Postecoglou uses media to deflect Tottenham sack claims while boss is out to avoid comparison with Jesse Marsch

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is acting ‘deliberately prickly’ towards the media as he wants to avoid being stereotyped as a ‘typical Australian’ and deflect attention that he is in danger of being sacked – while captain Son Heung-min has sent a message to his manager and their supporters about the club’s current form.

The 59-year-old arrived in north London last summer and was initially seen as a breath of fresh air for his style of football and for the honest and forthright approach he took during interviews and press conferences. After leading Tottenham With eight wins and two draws in his first ten games in charge, Postecoglou made the best start by a debuting manager in the Premier League as Spurs set the early pace.

But a year on and the club have failed to deliver on that early promise, ultimately finishing fifth last season, but now enter their current international breakthrough in a lowly 10th place, having suffered three defeats in the last five Premier League League matches. .

That has led to surprising speculation that Postecoglou could come under early pressure from the plunder. although that theory was quickly dismissed by two strong sources on Wednesday.

Although Postecoglou is not under immediate pressure of being sacked, he has made it his goal to lead Spurs back to the Champions League this season and with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2027, he could answer some tough questions if he is there fails to meet expectations. that goal.

In the meantime, ITV commentator and talkSPORT presenter Sam Matterface claims Postecoglou uses the media to appear wispy and avoid being labeled as a stereotypical, fun-loving Australian.

“What I’m told is he’s so desperate not to be seen as some kind of Australian caricature,” Matterface said. talkSPORT’s Premier League All Access podcast.

“He doesn’t want to be Jesse Marsch two, he doesn’t want people throwing the kind of Australian Ted Lasso thing at him.

“So he doesn’t try to be the playful, happy character and tries to be serious, that’s what I’ve been told.

“It doesn’t come across very well. And Match of the Day’s Mark Scott has had two rather difficult conversations with him in the space of a few weeks. I know (talkSPORT correspondent Alex) Crook and I have both had interesting conversations with him over the last year.

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What has Son Heung-min said about Tottenham’s recent form?

Despite Postecoglou’s efforts not to fall into such a stereotype, there is a danger that his icy approach could do more harm than good, with some feeling that the former Celtic boss has come across as arrogant in recent weeks.

And while the five defeats they have suffered in the Premier League this season are not a good result, Alan Shearer insists this is not the time to panic, especially considering that if Tottenham had beaten Ipswich on Sunday, they would have many expected it would. are now third in the Premier League.

“Typical Spurs, right? My goodness me. They beat City at home, they beat Villa at home with a great win, and then you got Ipswich at home. Ipswich surrenders,” Shearer continued The Rest is Football podcast.

“I don’t think so (Postecoglou under pressure). No, I guess you just look at it this way, he took responsibility, right?

‘He said it was his fault, his problem. He has to arrange it. But when you see them against Villa in the second half and then see them beat City, it’s just the inconsistency again. How long have we been saying that about Spurs?”

Spurs captain Son has also sent a message to both his manager and supporters, accepting that recent results have fallen below expectations.

“We have to believe in it even more because I think we can be a very strong team,” he said official club website.

“Everyone has seen it, but in those kinds of games you have to think about it mentally very strongly. Villa, you have to be strong, then you play against Ipswich. Everyone expects us to win this game, but in football… you never get a free win, you have to earn it, you have to work hard.

“We have to believe more, be more disciplined, that’s for sure. Everyone needs to be more disciplined and follow the structure and plan. This is the biggest part of our strength, and we can make it stronger when we come back from the international break.”

Latest Tottenham transfer news: Spurs ready for big signing in January / shock Grealish links

In the meantime, Spurs are spending a significant amount of money to sign a new centre-back in January amid the concerns, Real Madrid will try to win away Cristian Romero.

The Spanish giants have lost Eder Miltao to a season-ending ACL injury and Romero is one of the players they are eyeing as a replacement.

But whatever happens, Spurs themselves have big plans to significantly strengthen their central defensive options, with a major deal planned for January.

Elsewhere, Spurs have been linked with another move to sign England winger Jack Grealish after Manchester City made a big decision about his future.

The north London side have long had an interest in the 29-year-old having held extensive talks over a deal in 2019.

And finally, sources have confirmed to us that Tottenham are one of the few teams from the Premier League Take a look at Ghent left back Archie Brown ahead of the January transfer window.

Comparing Tottenham starts in each of the last two seasons under Postecoglou