‘I love a fight’ – Ange Postecoglou says he won’t walk out like Antonio Conte

Ange Postecoglou has spoken about the emotional outburst Antonio Conte had a year and a half ago following a Tottenham draw against Southampton.

Antonio Conte’s infamous Tottenham rant

It was a 3-3 draw against Southampton in March of last year that proved the end of Conte’s rein at Spurs, with the Italian essentially making his own position untenable by unleashing an extraordinary rant.

The Tottenham boss accused every single player in the squad of being selfish and even appeared to hint at some structural issue at the club, given their inability to win trophies for a long time.

There is perhaps a possibility that a clash at St Mary’s could also bring about an end to Postecoglou‘s spell at Spurs, with the Australian a man under immense pressure.

Ange Postecoglou speaks about Antonio Conte’s outburst

Postecoglou described his predecessor as a ‘top manager’ and suggested that his outburst might have been intended to spark a reaction from the squad and the club.

When asked if he is aware of Conte‘s actions which brought about an end to his time at Tottenham, the 59-year-old told Football.London: “I was on Planet Earth at that time, and yes I was well aware of it. I think you know when a manager gets to that point that there’s obviously some underlying issues.

“Antonio is a top manager – he’s a world-class manager – and I think most of the time when managers do that they’re trying to get a reaction, trying to get some sort of impact on the team.

“In difficult moments, what you want from your leaders is action rather than inaction of just letting things drift along. He did it to try and get a positive impact on the group, one way or another. We’ve all been in that situation as a manager where you feel: ‘This is time to send a message’.”

Ange Postecoglou is up for the fight

Many at the time saw Conte’s comment as a final firing shot before he departed N17, with the Italian appearing to have been fed up with what he was seeing out on the pitch.

When Postecoglou was asked if he would similarly consider delivering some home truths before his time at the club is up, he responded: “Look, I don’t think it’s fair to comment. Antonio, like I said, is a world-class manager and has his own way of doing things, his own reasons for doing that.

“I am here, I am in for the fight. I am in a fight, for sure. For better or worse I am not going anywhere at the moment because everything is still in my power and my responsibility. I still have a real desire to get us through this stage so that people see what is on the other side.

“My resolve and determination hasn’t wavered one little bit. I love a fight, I love a scrape, I love being in the middle of a storm when everyone doubts because I know what it is on the other side if you get through it. My job is to get through it.”

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