Arne Slot has spoken highly of Ange Postecoglou’s impact at Tottenham Hotspur, praising the Australian manager for restoring the club’s identity and style of play. Slot, who is the head coach of Feyenoord, expressed admiration for Postecoglou’s approach, which he believes has been a major factor in Tottenham’s resurgence this season. He emphasized that Postecoglou’s style of football is not only exciting but also a reflection of the club’s traditional attacking ethos, which has been missing in recent years.
In Slot’s view, Tottenham’s recent performances under Postecoglou are a throwback to the club’s golden era, when players like David Ginola, Paul Gascoigne, and Gareth Bale graced the pitch. He pointed out that Postecoglou has successfully brought back the brand of football that Tottenham fans have long associated with their club. This style, Slot argued, is what has made Spurs a team to watch, and he believes it is a privilege for season-ticket holders to witness such exciting football.
Slot also commented on the importance of Postecoglou winning a trophy this season, but not just any trophy. He expressed a strong preference for Postecoglou to secure success in the Europa League, rather than the League Cup, as he feels the manager’s football philosophy deserves to be recognized on a larger stage. Slot emphasized that Postecoglou’s high-risk, attacking approach has been criticized by some, but he firmly believes that such criticism is unwarranted. He questioned how anyone could argue against playing “too much attacking football” when it brings such thrilling results.
Tottenham’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals further showcased Postecoglou’s bold tactics, which have been a hallmark of his tenure. Slot was particularly impressed with the performance, suggesting that Spurs were unlucky not to win by a larger margin. He also noted that the pressure Postecoglou faces at Tottenham seems unfair, considering the club’s history of not winning major trophies. Slot pointed out that, before Postecoglou’s arrival, Tottenham had not been a club known for silverware, but they had always been admired for their playing style. This, he believes, is a crucial element that Postecoglou has revived.
Slot’s admiration for Postecoglou extends beyond just the footballing aspect. He sees the Australian as someone who has brought back the essence of Tottenham, a club with a rich footballing identity. For Slot, the most important thing is the style of play, and he feels that Postecoglou has given Spurs supporters something to be truly proud of. He expressed hope that this brand of football will be rewarded with a major trophy, which would further validate Postecoglou’s philosophy and silence critics who question the effectiveness of such an attacking approach.
Reflecting on his own situation, Slot acknowledged that Spurs had tried to lure him away from Feyenoord in the summer of 2023, before ultimately appointing Postecoglou. However, he declined to comment in detail on how close he came to joining Spurs, stating that many things in football are often misreported. He also made it clear that he was content with his decision to stay at Feyenoord, where he has continued to build on his success.
Slot’s praise for Postecoglou underscores the respect the two coaches share for each other’s work. While Postecoglou has been the subject of both admiration and criticism for his bold tactics, Slot’s comments serve as a strong endorsement of his approach. For Slot, the revival of Tottenham’s attacking identity is a testament to Postecoglou’s vision, and he hopes that the manager’s efforts are rewarded with silverware in the near future.