Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou appears increasingly cut off from both fans and fortune after his side suffered a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea – their 16th Premier League loss of the campaign. The Australian offered a muted applause toward the frustrated away supporters at full-time, but many had already voiced their discontent.
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez headed in the winner after the break, pushing Tottenham further down the table to 14th. The North London side now sits 10 points adrift of the top half with just eight games to play, and tension among the fanbase continues to mount. Cries of “You don’t know what you’re doing” echoed from the away section when Postecoglou substituted Lucas Bergvall for Pape Sarr in the 65th minute.
Sarr found the net minutes later with a brilliant strike, prompting Postecoglou to gesture toward the fans. However, the moment was short-lived as VAR disallowed the goal for a foul on Moises Caicedo in the buildup. Postecoglou later insisted his reaction was misinterpreted: “We’d just scored and I wanted to feel the buzz from the crowd. I thought it was a great goal, and I believed we could go on to win from there.”
When asked if he felt he was alienating the fanbase, Postecoglou admitted to feeling out of touch: “Maybe you’re right. I don’t know anymore. But it wasn’t meant that way.” It’s just the latest flashpoint in a season filled with friction between Postecoglou and parts of the Spurs support. Previous incidents have followed losses to Fulham, Leicester, and Bournemouth, each ending with tense interactions between the manager and fans.
A season heading toward the history books – for the wrong reasons
Tottenham’s current league position paints a bleak picture. Sitting in 14th, they are in danger of missing the top 10 for the first time in nearly two decades. With 16 defeats already, they are approaching their all-time Premier League record of 19 losses in a single season, set in 2003-04.
Their worst finish in the modern top flight remains 15th in 1994 under Ossie Ardiles, when relegation was only avoided in the penultimate game. Tottenham have only lost 16 or more matches in six previous Premier League campaigns.
To avoid setting a new low, Spurs need 11 points from their remaining eight games to surpass their lowest-ever Premier League points total of 44. That tally dates back to the 1981-82 season when three points for a win were introduced. The current loss rate – 53% – hasn’t been seen over a full campaign since the 1934-35 season. Postecoglou, stretching back to last season, has taken just 44 points from his last 39 league matches.
Uncertainty around manager’s future and the role of VAR
Speculation around Postecoglou’s job is intensifying. Despite being hired less than a year ago and having a contract until 2027, names such as Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, and Thomas Frank have already been linked to his role. Still, internal club sources suggest that any decision will be delayed at least until Tottenham’s Europa League campaign concludes. The quarter-final tie against Eintracht Frankfurt represents the club’s last realistic chance at a trophy – and Champions League qualification.
Postecoglou has received substantial backing in the transfer market, with over £210 million spent on players including January signings Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso, and Antonin Kinsky. Yet with both domestic cup exits behind them, the Europa League remains Spurs’ final lifeline.
After the Chelsea defeat, Jamie Redknapp summed it up on Sky Sports: “He’ll either make history or be history. Losing 16 matches with a strong squad is not going to sit well with fans.”
Vice-captain James Maddison acknowledged the unrest: “The fans have every reason to be frustrated. None of us are enjoying this. But if we can lift a trophy, it can still be a memorable season. We need the fans with us.”
On top of the growing pressure, Postecoglou again criticized VAR after Sarr’s disallowed goal. “It’s ruining the sport,” he said. “You wait around for six minutes for something called ‘clear and obvious’ – what’s obvious about that?” He also remarked that the inconsistencies and delays are eroding the spirit of the game and replacing it with drawn-out, frustrating spectacles. “If this keeps going, we won’t need referees at all – just AI.”
