Ange Postecoglou once again showcased his bold footballing philosophy as Tottenham edged out Manchester United 4-3 in a chaotic Carabao Cup quarter-final clash on Thursday night.
Despite criticism from Jamie Carragher, the Spurs boss remains steadfast in his approach.
The match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was nothing short of a rollercoaster. Spurs surged into a 3-0 lead, only for goalkeeper Fraser Forster’s costly errors to breathe life back into United’s hopes.
An extraordinary moment saw Son Heung-min score directly from a corner in the 88th minute, while Jonny Evans added to the drama with a late goal, cutting the deficit to 4-3. Tottenham ultimately held on to secure their place in the semi-finals.
Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, was left baffled by Tottenham’s insistence on playing out from the back, even when comfortably ahead. He criticized Postecoglou’s refusal to adapt to the game’s circumstances.
“My issue with Tottenham under Postecoglou is their rigidity,” said Carragher. “They play the same way regardless of whether they’re winning, losing, or drawing.
For me, that’s not how football should be played. Players need to recognize the game state and adjust accordingly.”
In stark contrast, Postecoglou defended his team’s approach, emphasizing their commitment to an entertaining style of play.
Speaking after the game, he said, “I like the whole bit, mate. Are you not entertained? Do you want a dull 1-0? We’re out there taking it to the opposition despite missing key players. I’m proud of how we played tonight.”
While acknowledging the mistakes, Postecoglou dismissed the notion of perfection.
“Of course, we want to avoid errors, but perfection doesn’t exist. Players are human, and they will make mistakes—just like I do, just like you do.”
Carragher, though unconvinced, couldn’t help but enjoy Postecoglou’s post-match interview, admitting, “That was brilliant. We were laughing the whole way through. He’s never going to change.”
Love it or hate it, Ange Postecoglou’s philosophy continues to spark debate while keeping fans thoroughly entertained.