Ange Postecoglou's Shocking Stance On Tottenham: 'They Are Not A Big Club'

Last Updated:February 12, 2026, 17:17 IST

Ange Postecoglou criticizes Spurs for lacking ambition and risk, saying despite their motto and facilities, they are 'not a big club'.

Ange Postecoglou on Thursday (February 12) said his former employers Spurs are ‘not a big club’ because their ambitions aren’t aligned with their efforts, especially when it comes to signing players in the transfer market. He said the club bosses don’t realise they have to take some risks to win and be among the ‘big boys’, which is in stark contrast to their motto of ‘To Dare Is To Do’.

Postecoglou was speaking on The Overlap show on YouTube. His two years at the club ended last year, immediately after he led them to the Europa League title, their first major trophy in 17 years. The decision didn’t go down too well with fans, even though Spurs’ league position of 17th had left much to be desired.

But Postecoglou even said that after finishing fifth in his first year on the job, he wanted the club to sign Premier League-ready players, like Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo, but he found no support.

“They’ve built an unbelievable stadium, unbelievable training facilities but, when you look at their expenditure and particularly their wages structure, they’re not a big club," the Australian manager said. “I saw that because, when we were trying to sign players, we weren’t in the market for those players. When you walk into Tottenham, what you see everywhere is ‘To Dare Is To Do’, and yet their actions are almost the antithesis of that. I think they didn’t realise that, to actually win, you’ve got to take some risks. 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."

The coach even agreed with the ‘Spursy’ tag, that’s used to troll the club, for their inability to hold onto success.

“One hundred per cent there is, and that was the thing I was trying to break," he said. “And then you break that by winning something and what do you do? You tear it all up and you go again. And it’s not because it’s me, but what are you trying to achieve?"

‘Environment of uncertainty’

Spurs moved to Thomas Frank after letting Postecoglou go. It was seen as a ‘pragmatic’ move towards a less divisive personality. It was also hoped that under Frank, Spurs would get relief from their injury issues which were blamed somewhat on Postecoglou’s training issues.

However, that didn’t work out well either. While they did brilliantly in the Champions League, another injury-ridden season has seen them slip to 16th, just five points off the relegation zone.

The timing of the Postecoglou couldn’t have been worse, as during the time of recording, the hosts got the news that Frank had gotten the sack as well. Postecoglou, who himself was sacked weeks after moving to Nottingham Forest, had the chance to gave his views on it.

“Having been in that position now twice in the last six months, it’s tough," Postecoglou said. “You know that he can’t be the only issue at the club. It’s a curious club, Tottenham. It’s made a major pivot at the end of last year, not just with me but with (executive chairman) Daniel (Levy) leaving as well, and you’ve created this whole sort of environment of uncertainty. There’s no guarantee whichever manager you bring in – they’ve had world-class managers there and they haven’t had success. And for what reason? Thomas is walking in and what’s his objective, what’s the club’s objective?"

The club has ten days to prepare for the North London derby, where they face table-toppers and fierce rivals Arsenal at home.

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