“Tottenham Turmoil: Ange Postecoglou’s Trial by Premier League Fire”

Ange Postecoglou’s First Pre-Season as a Premier League Manager

The Challenges Faced by Postecoglou

In his first pre-season as a Premier League manager, Ange Postecoglou has already encountered a series of challenges that he could have done without. The biggest headache for him has been the impending loss of his star player, Harry Kane. Tottenham has accepted a bid of $168 million from Bayern Munich for the striker, and the transfer is on the brink of being finalized. Additionally, there have been other setbacks, such as wet weather forcing the cancellation of friendly matches and the club owner, Joe Lewis, being charged with insider trading in the United States.

Matt Barlow of The Daily Mail rightly points out that these challenges are in line with Tottenham‘s history of uncertainty, which can make managing the club a difficult task. Postecoglou has entered this new role with a crash course in the perils of leading Tottenham. However, despite these uphill battles, there are early signs of promise that his tenure at Tottenham could turn out to be brilliant.

Potential Silver Lining in Kane’s Departure

If Kane does leave Tottenham, it could potentially lower expectations and buy Postecoglou more time to rebuild the team. Charlie Eccleshare of The Athletic suggests that the loss of Kane may provide a grace period for Postecoglou to implement his methods without the pressure of immediate success. Fans and the club may be more accepting of the fact that rebuilding will take time if the best player is sold.

The challenge for Tottenham will be how they allocate the funds from Kane’s departure. Should they invest heavily in a single replacement or distribute the money across the team? This decision will have a significant impact on Postecoglou’s ability to rebuild the squad effectively.

Off-Field Distractions: Joe Lewis’ Insider Trading Charges

In the midst of Postecoglou’s pre-season preparations, Tottenham owner Joe Lewis has been charged with insider trading in the United States. This creates an unwanted distraction for Postecoglou, although he has maintained that it is not a club matter. Lewis’ charges add to the uncertainty that has surrounded Tottenham and further complicates Postecoglou’s preparations for the upcoming season.

While the charges against Lewis are not a club matter, they create an unnecessary side plot that Postecoglou could have done without. It is a testament to his professionalism and focus that he has refused to let these distractions impact his preparations.

Style of Play and Postecoglou’s Track Record

One aspect that has impressed Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is Postecoglou’s positive mentality and fast, attacking style of play. This style, often referred to as ‘Angeball,’ has been on display during Tottenham‘s pre-season matches. The team has shown glimpses of brilliant play, indicating that they have bought into Postecoglou’s methods.

Postecoglou has a proven track record of developing players and implementing his style of play. He has improved players who struggled under previous managers and has achieved success at clubs like Celtic and Yokohama F. Marinos. However, it is important to note that Postecoglou’s teams have often had slow starts. This was evident at Celtic and Yokohama, where he faced initial challenges but eventually achieved success. Patience will be required for Postecoglou to fully implement his methods at Tottenham.

Improving Existing Players and Defensive Woes

Postecoglou’s ability to improve existing players will be crucial to Tottenham‘s success. Players like Oliver Skipp and Giovani Lo Celso have already shown promise under Postecoglou’s management. Skipp has excelled in the midfield, demonstrating excellent energy and intensity. Lo Celso, who spent time on loan at Villarreal, is expected to flourish under Postecoglou’s system.

Defensively, Tottenham had a poor season last year, conceding 63 goals in the Premier League. Postecoglou has addressed this issue by signing Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg. However, tightening up the defense will take time, as Postecoglou’s high defensive line can expose defenders. The preseason games have indicated that some defenders are still adapting to this style of play. Postecoglou may need to bring in another center-back to bolster the defense, but ultimately, improvement will need to come from the existing players.

The Importance of Patience and Early Fixtures

Postecoglou knows that he must hit the ground running at Tottenham. The first few games of the season will be crucial in setting the tone for his tenure. While a slow start is a possibility, as seen in his previous managerial roles, Postecoglou has a proven ability to turn things around given time and patience. The fans and the club must be willing to accept that it will take time for his methods to fully take effect.

The early fixtures of the season include matches against Brentford, Manchester United, Bournemouth, Burnley, and Sheffield United. The North London derby against Arsenal and a home fixture against Liverpool will provide tougher tests. If Postecoglou can secure positive results against these top teams, it will buy him valuable time and support. His past successes at Celtic and Yokohama prove that when he is backed by the club, he can deliver silverware.

Conclusion

Ange Postecoglou’s first pre-season as a Premier League manager has been filled with challenges and distractions. The impending departure of Harry Kane and the insider trading charges against owner Joe Lewis have added to the uncertainty surrounding Tottenham. However, there are early signs of promise, with players showing improvement and the team buying into Postecoglou’s fast, attacking style of play.

Postecoglou’s track record of success and ability to develop players should give Tottenham fans hope for the future. However, patience will be required, as his teams often have slow starts before achieving success. It is crucial for the club and the fans to support Postecoglou and give him time to implement his methods effectively.

The early fixtures of the season will be crucial in setting the tone for Postecoglou’s tenure. Positive results against top teams will buy him time and support from the club and fans. Ultimately, if Postecoglou can tighten up Tottenham‘s defense and improve existing players, he has the potential to end the club’s trophy drought.