Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou believes football management is more demanding than being a prime minister.
The Australian coach shared his views ahead of Spurs’ Carabao Cup quarterfinal clash with Manchester United, highlighting the intense scrutiny that comes with modern football management.
“An Election Every Weekend”
Postecoglou emphasised the unique pressures of football management, pointing out that unlike politicians, football managers face a form of public accountability every week.
Drawing a parallel to elections, he remarked, “This job is the hardest job now in any walk of life. You can say politics, but this is harder than any job.”
He continued, “How many times does [Keir Starmer] have an election? I have one every weekend. We have an election every weekend and either get voted in or out.”
Postecoglou’s comments come amid the backdrop of increasing managerial instability in English football.
He referenced the recent sackings of Wolves’ Gary O’Neil and Southampton’s Russell Martin as examples of the cutthroat nature of the profession.
🚨Ange Postecoglou claims pressure of managing Tottenham Hotspur is far greater than being Prime Minister:
😂"He [Prime Minister] has an election what every few years? I have one every weekend, mate.”
📺[@HaytersTV]#THFC | #COYS | #TOTTENHAM | #SPURSpic.twitter.com/bCNmOoNRdb
— Last Word On Spurs (@LastWordOnSpurs) December 18, 2024
Impatience in Modern Football
The Spurs boss criticised the growing impatience in the sport, which he feels undermines long-term success.
“We have lost all sort of modes of respect in our society where guys are in jobs, and they are putting up names of who is going to replace them while they are still working,” Postecoglou remarked.
“As a society, we are so quick to just throw people in the trash and move on.”
He expressed concern about the future of football management, suggesting that careers now consist of short stints at numerous clubs rather than sustained projects.
“You’ll find that from now on managers are going to have about 20 clubs on their CV. Even the successful ones,” he said.
Ange Postecoglou on Russell Martin sacking:
"You don't even get sacked in the morning now, you've got to change your song mate!"
😂😂😂
[@BeanymanSports] pic.twitter.com/MD1pSZ5NDu— george (@StokeyyG2) December 18, 2024
Postecoglou Aiming to End Tottenham’s Trophy Drought
Postecoglou is tasked with breaking Tottenham’s 16-year wait for silverware, with their last trophy coming in the 2008 League Cup.
While he acknowledged the importance of winning, he emphasised that a single trophy wouldn’t satisfy his broader ambitions for the club.
“I want more than that,” he said. “I don’t think it’s just about getting a trophy.
“I think when you want to build a successful, sustainable club in terms of competing for trophies every year, it’s more than that.”
The Carabao Cup offers a significant opportunity for Spurs this season, but Postecoglou is focused on creating a lasting legacy rather than chasing short-term fixes.
