It seemed that a weight was off Ange Postecoglou’s shoulders. He looked and sounded invigorated before the second leg of Tottenham’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool. It was almost as if a different man had spent the past few weeks staring into the microphone following another costly defeat, dealing with a ludicrous injury list and facing question after question about when Spurs were finally going to make an outfield signing.
Fresh from overseeing a dogged 2-0 win against Brentford on Sunday, Postecoglou sat down and spoke for 43 minutes before a moment that could define his time in north London. The head coach considered the chance for Spurs “to make a big impact” by going to Anfield and building on their 1-0 win in the first leg. He thought about his captain, Son Heung-min, still being trophyless after nearly 10 years at the club. He seemed energised by sealing deals for the centre-back Kevin Danso and the French forward Mathys Tel at the end of a difficult transfer window.
Related: ‘An unbelievable finisher’: why Mathys Tel is a perfect fit for Spurs
There was humour from Postecoglou when he discussed how he wooed Tel, who had been wavering about joining Spurs on loan from Bayern Munich. “There is something to be said for honesty and integrity,” the 59-year-old said. “I think I’ve got a pretty compelling story to tell. When I speak to players, I’m not trying to sell anything that there isn’t plenty of evidence for. I don’t think it’s smooth talking, or selling. I think there’s a real good story here, which I really believe in. I speak from a real strong conviction that what I’m saying will come to fruition. I really believe that. I don’t think I need to do anything special.”
Pressed on his phone manner, Postecoglou said there are times when he speaks to a potential signing and feels a disconnect. With Tel it was about football. The 19-year-old, who will be involved at Anfield, has left Bayern in search of regular football and was not short of suitors. Postecoglou said he wore him down. “It lasted a couple of hours. He was falling asleep by the end.”
Presumably Tel was paying enough attention to know that Spurs have an option to buy him for £50m. Postecoglou was in headline‑writing mood when he insisted that the former Rennes forward will join permanently. “He’ll be a Tottenham player,” the Australian said. “I think he’ll show everyone he’s going to be a Tottenham player in the next six months. I didn’t bring him here for six months.”
Spurs have thought in the long term when it comes to recruitment, placing a heavy focus on signing young players in the past 18 months. Antonin Kinsky, the 21-year-old Czech goalkeeper, also joined last month. “I’ve been a big driver of it,” Postecoglou said.
“When I took over we needed to rebuild a squad. We had some experience here, which has helped. I’ll always make decisions I feel are best for the club. All these decisions, I’m as much a driver of as the club. No one has been thrust upon me who I don’t think is going to fit.”
With doubts hanging over his future, Postecoglou was asked if the flurry of business has made him more secure in his position. “I’m not interested in security. It doesn’t exist in the modern game. Somebody can say: ‘Hey Ange we’re right behind you,’ and then you know … there’s no guarantees about anything, but I don’t care. Being a manager in today’s world, you can feel so isolated and so vulnerable. I don’t feel that. I feel like the playing group is rock solid, the staff are rock solid, I feel supported and that’s all I can ask for. Where that takes us, time will tell. I firmly believe it will take us to success. But there’s no guarantees.”
Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, 18 and 19 respectively, have been rare shining lights during a horrible run of form. But can Spurs rise to the challenge of holding off Liverpool? Can they cope with the Anfield atmosphere? Will it be the same old story: expectation followed by disappointment? Spurs have already knocked out Manchester United and Manchester City. They are struggling in the Premier League but are through to the last 16 of the Europa League and visit Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Sunday. This strange season could have a special ending.
Not that it will be easy. Spurs head to Merseyside with the injured contingent still numerous and Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven unavailable in central defence. Van de Ven returned last week in the win against Elfsborg but is taking precautions with his recovery from a hamstring problem. Even Postecoglou, who could start Danso, knows when not to gamble.
It would be a surprise if Spurs do not at least play with freedom in Liverpool. The odds are against them but they can score past anyone. Son is looking sharper and has “a real focus in his eye”, according to Postecoglou. The vibe is good. The question is whether Spurs can bring it to the pitch when it truly matters.
